Looking Out for the Health of Mixed-Species Eucalypt Forests
Channel: The Royal Society of Victoria
Date: 05/12/2023

Mixed-species eucalypt forests – the most extensive forests in Victoria, Australia – are often assumed to be perpetually healthy due to the perceived hardiness of the dominant eucalypts and their capacity to resprout after even the most severe disturbances. Forest scientist A/Professor Lauren Bennett examines this assumption through the lens of recent research on the responses of mixed-species eucalypt forests to changing climate and fire regimes, highlighting potential chinks in the forest armour that might need closer attention.

About the speaker:

Associate Professor Lauren Bennett holds scientific expertise in forest ecosystem sciences with a focus on ecosystem processes (carbon and nutrient cycling), forest carbon assessment, soil science, ecophysiology, tree demography, and fire ecology. Based @UniversityofMelbourne's School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, she is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and scientific reports and has led multiple research projects in forest and fire sciences.

Produced by the Royal Society of Victoria for "The Future of Victoria's Native Forests: A Public Symposium" with the support of the Alluvium Foundation. The symposium was delivered in partnership with the Alluvium Foundation, Friends of the Earth Melbourne and the Victorian National Parks Association.