Fire Effects on Yuma Clapper Rails and California Black Rails on the Lower Colorado River. Final Report for the Joint Fire Science Program, Project No. 03-3-2-07

摘要

The Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis) is a federally endangered species and 90% of the U.S. population exists in only 2 wetlands associated with the Lower Colorado River. The California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) is another sensitive species of national management concern that occurs in this region. Historically, marsh habitats along the lower Colorado River were highly ephemeral with periodic flooding and natural fires which eliminated decadent stands of emergent vegetation. Years of flood control and fire suppression has resulted in substantial areas of decadent emergent marsh habitat. To ensure long-term persistence of the Yuma clapper rail and California black rail, we examined the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a possible management tool to restore habitat for these 2 species. Numbers of Yuma clapper rails and California black rails increased significantly following fire in burned sites compared to control sites. Increases were apparent in the first year following fire for clapper rails and in year 2 post-fire for black rails. As a result of the field protocols developed for this project, we initiated a national program for monitoring marsh birds and for evaluating the effects of management actions on marsh birds. The protocols developed by this project are being used by over 100 field offices representing 40 state and federal land management agencies.