Prescribed Fire Strategies to Restore Wildlife Habitat in Ponderosa Pine Forests of the Intermountain West

摘要

The goal of this project was to help evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed fire in reducing fuels, and to assess the effects of fuel reduction on habitats and populations of birds in ponderosa pine forests throughout the Interior West. Known as the Birds and Burns Network, we have study areas located on National Forest and The Nature Conservancy lands in seven states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington). As of 2005, study areas in Arizona and New Mexico (Southwest region; SW), and Idaho and Washington (Northwest region; NW) received prescribed fire treatments. At these locations, we analyzed changes in downed wood, forest structure (trees and snags), and bird populations measured within one year after fire treatments. The information produced resulted in a better understanding of the effects of fuels manipulation/reduction methods and techniques on future landscape characteristics in terms of fire severity, wildlife population and habitat structure dynamics. Data were collected on fuels, habitat characteristics, songbird population densities, and nest survival of cavity-nesting birds for 1-2 years prior to prescribed fire treatments, during the year of burning treatments, and one year after prescribed fire.