Fire on the mountain: birds and burns in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract

The diversity of climate and topography across the Rocky Mountains has resulted in a broad spectrum of fire regimes ranging from frequent, low-severity fires to infrequent stand-replacement events. Such variation in fire history contributes to landscape structure and dynamics, and in turn can influence subsequent fire behavior (Allen et al. 2002). In essence, landscapes across the Rocky Mountains are shifting mosaics that reflect variation in disturbance frequency, severity, and time since the last disturbance. Superimposed on, and interacting with, fire regimes are other natural disturbances (e.g., insect outbreaks) and the influence of human activities. In turn, the collective influence of fire and human activities on the landscape influences avian community structure and dynamics.

Parent Publication

• Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 and 2

Citation

Kotliar, Natasha B.; Saab, Victoria A.; Hutto, Richard L. 2005. Fire on the mountain: birds and burns in the Rocky Mountains. In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 2 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 1090-1092