In
2001 a National Fire Plan (NFP) was approved by Congress to reduce
fire risk and to restore healthy fire-adapted ecosystems on federal
lands through proactive fuel reduction (DOI/USFS 2001). One problem
with proceeding with NFP objectives is that large information gaps
exist regarding effects of proposed fuel-reduction practices (e.g.,
prescription burning, mechanical fuel reduction) on native flora
and fauna. Amphibians are of particular conservation concern
because many have restricted geographical ranges, occur only in
localized microhabitats that may be vulnerable to management activities,
or are listed (or candidates) under the Endangered Species Act.
Many amphibian species have declined across large portions of their
range throughout the United States (Corn, 2000; Semlitsch, 2000),
and information on their responses to fire and fuel reduction practices
is critically needed.
Our research
is focused on determining the effects of wildland and prescribed
fires on amphibian communities and habitat. Effects are likely
to vary widely across habitat types and regions, species groups,
and fire type, season, and severity. We seek to quantify this
range of diversity through collaborative efforts, wide geographic
scale, and long term research.
Click
here for current research coverage
Bruce Bury, 541-750-7788, bruce_bury@usgs.gov
Erin Hyde, 541-750-7296, erin_hyde@usgs.gov
3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331
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