Response of eastern chipmunks to single application spring prescribed fires on the Fernow Experimental Forest

E.L. Rowan; Mark Ford; S.B. Castleberry; J.L. Rodrigue; Thomas M. Schuler; T.M. Schuler

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-727

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Response of eastern chipmunks to single application spring prescribed fires on the Fernow Experimental Forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

E.L. Rowan, Mark Ford, S.B. Castleberry, J.L. Rodrigue, Thomas M. Schuler, T.M. Schuler

Year:

2005

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-727

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-727. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 10 p.

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Download (PDF 315 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/20697.pdf

Abstract

We used radiotelemetry to examine the effects of spring prescribed fire for preharvest oak (Quercus spp.) shelterwood management on eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) home-range attributes and burrow use on the Fernow Experimental Forest in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Results for 21 chipmunks showed that prescribed fire had little discernable effect on home-range or core-area size, extent of conspecific overlap, or burrow use. Fire tolerance of this common forest rodent provides additional evidence supporting the use of prescribed burning to achieve vegetation management objectives in the central Appalachians where appropriate.

Keywords

burrow, central Appalachian Mountains, chipmunk, fire, home range, oak shelterwood, radiotelemetry

Citation

Rowan, E.L.; Ford, W.M.; Castleberry, S.B.; Rodrigue, J.L.; Schuler, T.M. 2005. Response of eastern chipmunks to single application spring prescribed fires on the Fernow Experimental Forest. Res. Pap. NE-727. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 10 p.