Impacts of a drying climate on a mediterranean-climate ecosystem in Australia

Tall, dry sclerophyll forests characterise parts of south-western Australia with a mediterranean-climate. The jarrah forest is managed for multi-purpose use including conservation, water supply, mining, timber harvesting and recreation. This paper will briefly describe the historical setting of land-use and then examine recent climate events impacting on forest health. These include a decline in rainfall and groundwater levels, reduced stream flow, increased incidence of drought, increased forest dieback and mass collapse. Finally, measures to manage forest decline are considered