Study Description

Title:
Effects of Thinning and Prescribed Fire on Aquatic and Terrestrial Herpetofauna: Little River Adaptive Management Area

Status: Completed

Objectives:
Fire suppression on federal lands has increased fuel levels and risk of catastrophic fires. The recently adopted Northwest Forest Plan identified prescribed fire as an important management tool to reduce "unnaturally" high fuel loads. When combined with thinning, prescribed fire promotes the development of forest structure and composition similar to that present under a native fire regime. No specific guidelines are available to balance fire-risk management objectives with management objectives aimed at minimizing effects of burning on wildlife species in late-successional habitats (terrestrial, riparian, aquatic). This study will provide a comprehensive examination of pre- and post-burn diversity, abundance, and habitat associations of small vertebrates (amphibians and reptiles) and invertebrates (aquatic insects and mollusks) in selected permanent and intermittent headwater streams and adjacent terrestrial habitats within designated riparian reserves. The habitats to be studied will include sites where tree density has been manipulated with thinning, as well as "unthinned" sites. Baseline study areas will be established for long-term research.

Related Publications:

Contact:
Bury, Richard B. - Research Zoologist
Phone: 541-750-1010
Email: buryb@usgs.gov

U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
URL: http://fresc.usgs.gov/
Contact: fresc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Update: June 30, 2003
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