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Short-Term Fire Effects on Small Mammal Populations and Vegetation of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert
Joint Authors
Demarais, Stephen
Monasmith, Tony J.
Root, J. Jeffrey
Britton, Carlton M.
Source
International Journal of Ecology
Issue
Vol. 2010, Issue 2010 (31 Dec. 2010), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2010-11-25
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Biology
Abstract EN
Fire is an important ecological factor in semidesert grass-shrub community dynamics, but there is a lack of designed field experiments documenting effects on vegetation and small mammals.
We document effects of June prescribed fire on vegetation and small mammals on 20, 25-ha study areas in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert of Southern New Mexico, USA one month and one year posttreatment.
Canopy cover of shrubs and grasses recovered to 68 and 27% of the preburn canopy cover, respectively, after one year.
Prescribed burns during June enhanced short-term forb production by reducing competition from grasses and shrubs.
Thirty thousand trap-nights yielded 1744 captures of 766 individuals of 15 small mammal species.
Burns did not affect small mammal species richness and species diversity.
Relative abundance of Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami) was 91% greater on burned sites than on control sites one year postburn.
Silky pocket mouse (Perognathus flavus) relative abundance was 221% greater on burned sites one year postburn.
Chihuahuan Desert pocket mice (Chaetodipus eremicus) responded negatively to the fire, with relative abundance 170% greater on control sites (P=.080).
Burning produced short-term benefits for two heteromyids, Merriam's kangaroo rats and silky pocket mice.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Monasmith, Tony J.& Demarais, Stephen& Root, J. Jeffrey& Britton, Carlton M.. 2010. Short-Term Fire Effects on Small Mammal Populations and Vegetation of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert. International Journal of Ecology،Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453059
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Monasmith, Tony J.…[et al.]. Short-Term Fire Effects on Small Mammal Populations and Vegetation of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert. International Journal of Ecology No. 2010 (2010), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453059
American Medical Association (AMA)
Monasmith, Tony J.& Demarais, Stephen& Root, J. Jeffrey& Britton, Carlton M.. Short-Term Fire Effects on Small Mammal Populations and Vegetation of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert. International Journal of Ecology. 2010. Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-453059
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-453059