Dr Luke Kelly is an Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology at the University of Melbourne, leading teams both locally and internationally. Luke studies the dynamics of plant and animal populations, educates about biodiversity and human well-being, and collaborates with diverse stakeholders to prevent species extinction.

With expertise in ecological and evolutionary dynamics, Luke recently led a team of researchers that assessed how human activities are reshaping patterns of fire across the globe. Some of the findings were quite surprising, with our planet now burning in unexpected ways. In this conversation we talk shop on fire fundamentals, key fire changes both globally and locally, and how we can coexist with fires in the Anthropocene, by moving forward and working together to generate ideas and solutions.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Luke’s scientific background and current research work
• The work of biodynamos, the Biodiversity Dynamics Research Group
• Fire as fundamental to human civilisation and the earth's systems
• Benefits and risks of fire for biodiversity and threatened species
• Luke’s recent paper Understanding Fire Regimes for a Better Anthropocene
• Surprising findings regarding global fire activity
• Fire regime changes in Australia, including an upward trend in mega-fires
• Key anthropogenic drivers of fire regime changes
• The consequences for humans, flora, and fauna due to changing fire regimes in Australia
• How we best move forward while living with fire in the Anthropocene, including practical recommendations for people in high-risk areas
• The importance of a proactive approach, rather than a reactive response
• How fire can help us achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
  
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