Short-term effects of wildfires on spotted owl survival, site fidelity, mate fidelity, and reproductive success

摘要: The effects of wildfire on wildlife are important considerations for resource managers because recent interest in the role fire shaping forested landscapes western United States. This is particularly true spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) uncertainty impacts controlled burning within owl habitat. Therefore, we documented minimum survival, site fidelity, mate and reproductive success 21 after large (>540 ha) wildfires occurred 11 territories California, Arizona, New Mexico. In each territory, burned through nest primary roost sites. Eighteen (86%) were known to be alive at least 1 year fires, which was similar reported annual adult survival probabilities species. Of 7 pairs both members later resighted, all located together same during breeding season following 4 produced a total fledglings. No pair separations observed fire. On 8 where severities mapped, 50% experienced predominantly low- moderate-severity fires while high-severity that (>30%) areas territories. We hypothesize may have little short-term impact owls. Further, prescribed could an effective tool restoring habitat natural conditions with minimal resident While do not advocate wholesale this time, believe our observations justify large-scale experiments corroborate establish cause-and-effect relationships.