Three E. obliqua dominated forest sites in the Otway Ranges of
south-eastern Australia were selected for measurements (Table 1
and Fig. 1). At each of these three forest sites, three circular sampling
plots, located at least 0.5 km apart and at least 100 m from
access roads, were established, resulting in nine plots total
(Fig. 1). Sampling plots were generally representative of the burn
area and were located in nearly flat or mid-slope positions. A circular
plot design was developed to measure forest biomass at each
site (Fig. 1 box). Each plot was 22.5 m radius with four, 5 m radius,
subplots established at north, west, south and east end points. All
overstorey trees (diameter, dP20 cm) were measured within total
plot boundaries, understorey, i.e. trees d < 20 cm and
shrubP50 cm height, ground cover (grasses and shrubs < 50 cm
height), litter and soil samples were measured and collected in
the four 5 m radius subplots. All post fire litter and soils were sampled
from burnt areas of the forest floor.