AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Influence of Prescribed Fire on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat in Shinnery Oak Communities in Western Oklahoma

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2001
Authors:Boyd, CS, Bidwell, TG
Journal:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Volume:29
Issue:3
Date Published:2001
ISBN Number:00917648
Keywords:Phasianidae, Tympanuchus, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
Abstract:Little is known of the effects of fire on lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) habitat in shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) communities. Our objective was to determine the influence of seasonal prescribed fire, at 1 and 2 years post-treatment, on the quality of nesting habitat, foraging and brooding habitat, and thermal and escape cover. In each of 3 study sites in western Oklahoma, 12 60 × 30-m plots were seasonally burned, annually burned, or left unburned, and an array of habitat variables were measured at 1 and 2 years post-fire. During both periods, canopy coverage of shrubs decreased (P≤0.01) with fall and spring fire. Nesting grass cover decreased (P=0.007) with fall and spring burning at 1 year post-fire. Visual obstruction in May and January decreased (P≤0.001) with burning in all seasons. Burning in all seasons increased warm- (≥100% increase, P<0.001) and cool- (≥200% increase, P=0.026) season forb coverage in year 1 and grasshopper density (P≤0.100) in both years. Shinnery oak mast, leaf bud, and catkin production failed at 1 year post-fire. At 2 years post-fire, cool-season forb cover increased (P=0.014) with fall and spring burning and winter (January) forb frequency increased (P=0.047) 190% with burning in all seasons. Prescribed fire appears to be an effective tool to increase abundance of growing-season forbs and sedges, winter forbs, and grasshoppers associated with quality foraging and brooding habitat. Nesting habitat and thermal and escape cover are impacted negatively by fire, particularly spring fire, due to a reduction in overhead and horizontal cover and reduced abundance of important nesting grasses. Our data suggest a 2- to 3-year recovery period for nesting habitat following burning. Negative impacts of fire on nesting habitat and thermal and escape cover can be reduced by burning in seasons other than spring, decreasing burn size, and interspersing burned and unburned areas.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3784421
Short Title:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith