Noninvasive genetic surveys before and after a megafire detect displacement of migratory mule deer

摘要: Due to climate change and past logging fire suppression, the western US are experiencing increasingly large frequent wildfires. Understanding how wildlife respond these mega-fires is becoming relevant protect manage populations. However, lack of predictability inherent in such events makes studies difficult plan. We took advantage a high-severity wildfire that burned adjacent an ongoing study mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) on their summer range upslope investigate displacement onto our area both immediately upon return following year. used spatial capture-recapture models conjunction with noninvasive fecal DNA sampling estimate density non-spatial Pradel robust-design apparent survival recruitment rates. Compared before fire, we observed increase per-capita rates one month after fire. These findings suggest immediate response at least some was flee rather than downslope toward winter range. changes did not carry over into year, however, suggesting formerly using as may have returned there despite high severity or chosen new areas for This suggests that, short term, negatively affect population.