Why balgas should not be burnt

This is an extract from an article in Urban Bushland Council's newsletter from spring 2008 with permission from Phylis Robertson.

Balgas put on new growth from the centre of their tops and retain their dead leaves as thatch. This forms a safe microclimate for small animals including flies, beetles and spiders. These vertibrates provide ffod for lizards and birds. Blue fairy wrens are know to rrost in balgas tops at night whilst other small birds and animals including bandicoots build nests for themselves and their young in the shelter of dry leaves and skirts to rest in the dry and at night. It takes several years for a balga to build up a thatch.

Burning the top of balgas exposes the soil to wind and water erosion and drying out. Any animal that tries to shelter under a burnt balgas is exposed to predation, especially ravens. Some balgas die after being burnt and when you consider that they are slow growing plants and they are vital microhabitats, this is a tragic loss of diversity.