The Mechanisms Through Which Fires Shape Plant Life Cycles: Ella Plumanns Pouton
Channel: The Royal Society of Victoria
Date: 2023-10-13

Fire is a key driver of plant diversity, and many plants have adaptations that help them thrive in fire–prone ecosystems. However, changes to fire activity threaten thousands of plants worldwide. We require knowledge on how fire drives ecological change to support biodiversity into the future.

Fire impacts plants across their life cycles. For example, if there is insufficient time between fires for plants to mature and grow a seedbank, this prevents plants from reproducing and can cause local extinction. The influence of fire can also depend on plant traits, such as if a plant has the capacity to resprout, release seeds or flower post-fire.

To understand the future of plant populations under fire regime change, empirical research on demographic changes across the plant life cycle is required. Ella has studied the fascinating fire associations of plants, from ungerminated seeds to mature trees, both above and below ground. By quantifying the types of fire regimes that support different types of heathland plants, her research provides scientific foundations for fire management that prevents extinction in heathland ecosystems across Victoria. This knowledge is essential in the face of more frequent, severe wildfires globally.

In recognition of the quality and significance of her research, Ella Plumanns Pouton is the Second Prize Winner in the Biological Sciences category for the Royal Society of Victoria's Young Scientist Research Prizes in 2023. 

Ella's presentation has been filmed and published with the support of the Inspiring Victoria program.