Trampling and Fire in a Subtropical Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Abstract
Experimental trampling was carried out in recently-burned and unburned areas of a dry sclerophyll forest. Percentage cover was greatly reduced by burning and trampling. Plant numbers were relatively unaffected by burning, and trampling had approximately the same effect on plant numbers in recently-burned and unburned areas. The reduction of cover and plant numbers to 50% of their original value by fewer than 16 passages was near to that predicted on the basis of the low primary productivity of the ground-flora, and suggests that this type of vegetation is quite vulnerable to trampling.