Kangaroos, feral herbivores and bushfires: Consequences for forest dynamics

本项目旨在通过一个强大的、高度重复的草食动物封闭实验来研究原生和引进的草食动物在森林生态系统中的功能作用。该项目希望创造新的知识，了解哺乳食草动物，特别是袋鼠和入侵鹿，对森林植物、土壤和生产力的影响。预期结果包括对森林中地上和地下相互作用的基本见解，以及预测跨环境梯度和森林火灾后食草动物种群变化影响的增强能力。这将为澳大利亚的森林管理带来巨大的好处，允许对入侵的食草动物种群进行知情、有针对性和先发制人的管理。

This project aims to investigate the functional role of native and introduced herbivores in forest ecosystems using a powerful, highly replicated, herbivore exclosure experiment. This project expects to create new knowledge of the effects of mammalian herbivores, particularly kangaroos and invasive deer, on forest plants, soils and productivity. Expected outcomes include fundamental insights into above and belowground interactions in forests, and an enhanced capacity to predict effects of changing herbivore populations across environmental gradients, and following bushfire. This should produce significant benefits for forest management in Australia, allowing informed, targeted, and pre-emptive management of invasive herbivore populations.