Fire, Habitat structure and herpetofauna in the Southeast

Abstract

In this paper I review studies of herpetofauna in two fire-maintained, xeric pineland southeastern U.S. ecosystems, longleaf pine-turkey oak sandhills and Florida sand pine scrub. I address evolutionary adaptations of herpetofauna to these xeric environments, and how fire disturbance influences herpetofaunal community composition by structuring habitat. Where data are available I examine how anthropogenic disturbance such as fire suppression, clearcutting, and restoration treatments can affect herpetofaunal community composition, and whether some anthropogenic disturbance types can mimic natural disturbance in their effects. I also address possible reasons why detection of population response is more difficult for amphibians than for common reptile species.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings: the role of fire for nongame wildlife management and community restoration: traditional uses and new directions

Citation

Greenberg, Cathryn H. 2002. Fire, Habitat structure and herpetofauna in the Southeast. In: Ford, W. Mark; Russell, Kevin R.; Moorman, Christopher E., eds. Proceedings: the role of fire for nongame wildlife management and community restoration: traditional uses and new directions. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-288. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 91-99.