Table 1 Summary of explanatory variables included in generalized additive models for birds in mallee woodlands (MW) and foothills forests (FF). The range of values in each ecosystem and a description of variables are given

Fire regime

Time since fire (years)

34 (0–106)

37 (0–107)

Number of years between the date of the bird survey and the most recent mapped fire at the site that preceded the survey

Site

Amount early (ha)

15 (0–81)

35 (0–81)

The amount (ha) of vegetation classified as “early-successional” [0–10 years since fire (MW), 0–3 years since fire (FF)] within a 900 × 900 m window, centered on the bird survey site

Landscape

Amount late (ha)

31 (0–81)

16 (0–81)

The amount (ha) of vegetation classified as ‘late-successional’ [> 35 years since fire (MW), > 40 years since fire (FF)] within a 900 × 900 m window, centered on the bird survey site

Landscape

Spatial diversity of successional vegetation (index)

0.38 (0–1.13)

0.30 (0–1.33)

Shannon’s diversity index of post-fire successional states within a 900 × 900 m window, centered on the bird survey site. Successional states were: Mallee woodlands: 0–10, 11–35, > 35 years since fire. Foothill forests: 0–3, 4–10, 11–40, > 40 years since fire

Landscape

Environmental conditions

Temperature (℃)

16.6 (15.4–17.4)

23.7 (19.4–28.5)

MW: annual average daily temperature; FF: average daily maximum temperature for January (hottest month)

Site

Elevation (m)

66 (32–104)

397 (33–954)

Meters above sea level based on digital elevation model (DEM)

Site

Vegetation type (categorical)

Triodia Mallee

Chenopod Mallee

Heathy Mallee

Driest

Dry

Mesic

Groups of vegetation classes with similar floristic and structural characteristics

Site