Natural and anthropogenic fire regimes, vegetation effects, and potential impacts on the avifauna of California oak woodlands

Abstract

Fire was once an important component of the disturbance regime in oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills. In addition to lightning-ignited fires, anthropogenic sources of ignition have historically been important until fire suppression activities in the mid- 20th century lengthened fire return intervals. Few fire history studies have addressed oak woodlands, and studies of the effects of fire on birds of oak woodlands are even more scarce. We review existing information on changes in the fire regime of California's oak woodlands and the effects of fire on the vegetation and attempt to predict the response of the bird community to fire and fire suppression.

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

Purcell, Kathryn L.; Stephens, Scott L. 2005. Natural and anthropogenic fire regimes, vegetation effects, and potential impacts on the avifauna of California oak woodlands. 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. 1100-1103