Reducing future bushfire risk : optimal strategies for fuel load reduction

Bushfires are among the most destructive natural hazards, threatening ecosystems, public health, and infrastructure. As risks intensify due to climate change, urban expansion, and land-use change, there is an urgent need for integrated and sustainable management approaches. In this study, we developed a Decision Support System (DSS) that integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to evaluate three fuel load reduction strategies: Fuel Reduction Burning (FRB), Mechanical Fuel Load Reduction (MFLR), and their combination. The DSS quantifies environmental impacts (e.g., greenhouse gas and PM2.5 emissions), economic costs, social cost, and geospatial feasibility. Results indicate that MFLR with biochar production offers substantial environmental and economic benefits, while combined methods effectively balance emissions reduction with ecological regeneration in fire-adapted regions. A comprehensive uncertainty analysis reinforces the robustness of the findings under variable input conditions. The DSS is adaptable to diverse landscapes and priorities, offering a practical tool to support policymakers in selecting sustainable, context-specific bushfire management strategies and promoting resilient land stewardship.

Author dc:creator

• Tayari, Sara

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
• The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
• © 2025 Sara Tayari
• au.edu.uts.lib/cph

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190648

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.lib.uts.edu.au:10453/190648