Amphibians and wildfire in the U.S. Northwest

Abstract

Recent evidence of amphibian declines along with outbreaks of large wildfires in western North American conifer forests has underscored our lack of knowledge about effects of fire on amphibians in these ecosystems. Understanding the connection between amphibian declines and wildfire is proving complex in some areas because the past century of fire suppression and other management activities have already altered amphibian habitats. For example, ponderosa pine forest types typically had low severity understory fires that likely maintained open habitats preferred by some amphibians. Fires in these, or other forests that have been altered by fire suppression, may be more intense than what occurred historically, and may have immediate negative effects on amphibians (direct mortality) or long-term beneficial effects (habitat restoration).

Citation

Hossack, Blake R. 2006. Amphibians and wildfire in the U.S. Northwest. International Journal of Wilderness. 12(1):26, 43.