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by h0l0cube 2361 days ago
These are typically areas where eucalypts have died off after centuries, allowing other species to fill the gap. Now that the fires have come through, the eucalypts will come back to fill the gaps and will quickly out-compete any other plants with superior height and canopy. They will get their next chance, a few centuries hence.
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This isn’t true of the areas of greatest concern, where Gondwanan rainforest is burning. Eucalyptus is the newcomer, and it is fire-adapted and hot weather adapted, it out-competes the ancient forests where there are fires, and the nothofagus does not grow back.
This process happens too in Tasmania where most of that beautiful nothofagus grows. But you are right, these populations could be wiped out completely if fires increase and there's no chance for recovery - or the entire population is burnt. I wasn't suggesting that everything is okay, because it clearly isn't.