PLANTING natives on a property may result in an environment susceptible to bushfires, according to Balingup woman Peta Townsing.
"Plants native to the South West have evolved to cope with a Mediterranean climate which has the characteristics of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters," Ms Townsing said.
"These plants share with other plants of Mediterranean regions certain features that help them survive the prolonged periods of summer drought, such as waxy leaves with volatile oils to prevent water loss and small leaves with a low surface area, again to reduce evaporation through the leaves.
"Wildfires, either caused through lightning strikes or human activity, are endemic in all these areas.
"Indeed many plants rely on fire to recycle nutrients, to remove dead vegetation that would otherwise hinder growth and to aid in seed dispersal.
"Thus we can expect frequent fires through our forests and heathlands of the South West."
"Having a space of a couple of hundred metres between bushland and a house with its garden is far safer than having a property in a tiny bush clearing with eucalypts towering over the house.
"However, if that garden is a replica of a piece of bushland with many of its plants being inflammable then the inhabitants are at increased risk through ember attack.
"The debate is not about natives versus exotics, it is rather about choosing appropriate plants and landscape styles that minimise the bushfire risk."
