The Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) is evaluating the effects of logging on understorey flora, with a view to maintaining the long term ecological integrity of forest environments. An important aspect of this research has been investigations into the effect of clearfell logging practices on tree-fern survival. The tree-fernsDicksonia antarcticaandCyathea australisare characteristic understorey species of Victorian Wet Forests. Tree-fern trunks are a major substratum for many epiphytic species and are an establishment site for some tree and shrub species.Dicksonia antarcticaandC. australiscan generally survive wildfire, but several researchers have reported low tree-fern occurrence in clearfelled areas.
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