Bell-miner-associated dieback: an ecological perspective

Summary

An interpretation of dieback within eucalypt forests might take account of (i) the consequences of the rapid evolutionary expansion of the eucalypt progenitor associated with continental drift (ii) the nature of species patterns and pattern-environment relationships within the forests: (iii) the significance of stand structures and ecosystem processes in maintaining stable eucalypt forests (iv) the destabilisation of forests and ecosystem processes associated with recurrent fires in the post-settlement period and the logging of the forests and (v) specific site factors which may predispose disturbed ecosystems to decline, insect predation and dieback.

Keywords:

• dieback
• fire ecology
• biological activity in soil
• ecological disturbance
• bell miners
• psyllids
• Eucalyptus
• Australia