Pasch, B. S., J. L. Koprowski. 2011. Impacts of fire suppression on space use of Mexican fox squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 92: 227-234

thackerk1 — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 23:08:26 +0000

Authors

Bret Pasch

John L. Koprowski

Human suppression of fire has resulted in altered species composition and dense forest stands across the western United States. Accumulation of understory shrubs makes forests vulnerable to catastrophic fire and can impact animal use, whereas fire prescription can ameliorate negative impacts of suppression. We used radiotelemetry to determine patterns of habitat use and survival of Mexican fox squirrels (Sciurus nayaritensis chiricahuae) in fire-suppressed and fire-prescribed areas of the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona. Core areas of squirrels within fire-suppressed areas were larger and contained more understory shrubs than core areas of squirrels in fire-prescribed areas. Shrub cover and canopy heterogeneity influenced core-area size and distance traveled, and squirrels that were depredated traveled farther than conspecifics that survived, but shrub cover and canopy heterogeneity were not directly associated with squirrel survival. Suppression-induced increases in understory vegetation might force squirrels to travel greater distances to meet energetic requirements and thereby increase predation risk. Retention of mature forested canyons and restoration of natural fire regimes will be important for the persistence of Mexican fox squirrels.

Additional Information

Impacts of fire suppression on space use by Mexican fox squirrels

Date of publication:

2011

Topics

fire suppression

Mexican fox squirrels

space use

Ketcham, S. L. and J. L. Koprowski. 2013. Impacts on wildfire on wildlife in Arizona: A synthesis. In Gottfried, Gerald J.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Collins, Loa C., comps. 2013. Merging science and management in a rapidly ch

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:25:58 +0000

Authors

Shari L. Ketcham

John L. Koprowski

Due to a century of fire suppression practices, the Madrean Archipelago regions in Arizona have accumulated excessive fuel loads that increase wildfire sizes, intensities, and frequencies. Wildfire induced structural changes in forest ecosystems can either benefit or adversely impact wildlife species. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how wildlife species react to such ecosystem changes after wildfires in both the short-term and long-term time periods. We examined scientific literature to determine wildlife distribution, abundance, elevational migration, and behavioral changes (i.e. how wildlife use resources post-fire) in response to wildfire. Understanding the impacts of wildfire-induced habitat fragmentation and creation of edge effects on wildlife species will provide information about overall forest condition and forest management practices.