Effects of prescribed fire, supplemental feeding, and mammalian predator exclusion on hispid cotton rat populations

Morris, Gail; Hostetler, Jeffrey A.; Conner, L. Mike; Oli, Madan K.

doi:10.1007/s00442-011-2053-6

Cited by 62 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…grahamensis (Koprowski et al 2006). Recent experimental work has shown that increased predation was responsible for a reduction in survival of cotton mice Peromyscus gossypinus due to the removal of ground cover by fire (Morris et al 2010, Morris et al 2011. The results of the current analysis from Australia's tropical savannas indicate that northern brown bandicoot survival decreased in higher intensity fires, and this decline was gradual rather than sudden after the application of the experimental fires.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Fire impacts recruitment more than survival of small‐mammals in a tropical savanna

Griffiths

Brook

2015

Ecosphere

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Abstract. The frequency and spatial patterning of fire for optimal biodiversity conservation is often poorly understood by managers, in part due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms responsible for altering population dynamics of individual species. We investigated changes in the vital rates (survival and recruitment) of four small mammal species (three marsupials and one rodent) in a tropical savanna under four different experimental fire treatments applied at a landscape scale. Apparent survival declined in all fire treatments for only one of four small mammal species (northern brown bandicoot Isoodon macrourus). Recruitment was reduced in three of four species in multiple fire treatments. The suppression of recruitment in the northern brown bandicoot and the brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula populations was greatest immediately after the initial fire treatment was applied, compared to remaining treatment applications in successive years, possibly due to an elevated fire intensity as a result of higher initial fuel loads. The results suggest that higher intensity fire impacted recruitment more than survival for small mammals at this site. To assist fire managers to conserve small mammal populations in tropical savannas, we recommend fire regimes that optimise habitat resources for recruitment. This may be achieved by a reduction in fire frequency and managing fuel loads to prevent an increase in fire intensity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Fire impacts recruitment more than survival of small‐mammals in a tropical savanna

Griffiths

Brook

2015

Ecosphere

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“…In addition, frequent use of prescribed fire in longleaf pine forests increases understory plant species richness, diversity, and evenness (Brockway and Lewis 1997), which may influence where bobcats search for prey items. Small mammals (e.g., cotton rats [Sigmodon hispidus], Conner et al 2011, Morris et al 2011 are commonly exposed to predation from bobcats and other predators following a fire event due to reductions in herbaceous cover. Our results may also be due to the scale of fire relative to bobcat home ranges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bobcats selected mature pine and mature pine-hardwood stands managed by frequent fire, but also selected other habitat types such as agricultural fields and shrub-scrub. Additionally, fire events facilitate predation of small mammal communities by temporarily reducing cover and exposing prey to predators , Morris et al 2011. Therefore, there is a chance that bobcats-and other predators-may be temporarily attracted to recently burned areas, suggesting a tradeoff between managing for prey that may be particularly sensitive to predators following fire (e.g., wild turkey nests) and those species that rely on frequent fire (e.g., gopher tortoise [Gopherus Polyphemus and red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis; Alavalapati et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fire can also influence wildlife habitat selection by altering vegetation structure (e.g., Harper et al 2016); however, little is known about how time-sincefire influences bobcat habitat selection. For example, small mammals (e.g., cotton rats [Sigmodon hispidus]) are likely exposed to predation from bobcats following a fire event due to reductions in herbaceous cover , Morris et al 2011. However, in a pine savanna ecosystem managed by frequent fire (≤ 3 years) and at small scales (≤ 100 ha), fire may have minimal influence on bobcat selection due to the diversity of cover created by frequent fire.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adult bobcat (Lynx rufus) habitat selection in a longleaf pine savanna

et al. 2018

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Background: Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire (≤ 3 years) to promote diversity of flora and fauna, and to maintain open, park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). However, a knowledge gap exists in our understanding of bobcat (Lynx rufus) habitat selection in longleaf pine savannas and research is warranted to direct our future management decisions. Methods: We examined bobcat habitat selection in a pine savanna managed with frequent fires at two spatial scales (i.e., study area boundary [hereafter, landscape scale]) and annual area of use [95% kernel density; local scale]), and assessed effects of prescribed fire on bobcat habitat selection. Specifically, we monitored 45 bobcats (16 males and 29 females) during 2001-2007. Results: We found differential habitat selection by sex. At the landscape scale, female bobcats were closer to mixed pine-hardwoods, young pine, and secondary roads, but farther from mature pine and hardwoods stands relative to males. We found no difference in selection of agriculture, shrub-scrub, and primary roads between sexes. At the annual area of use scale, female bobcats were closer to secondary roads, but farther from agriculture and shrub-scrub relative to males. We found no difference in selection of mature pine, mixed pine-hardwoods, hardwoods, young pine, and primary roads between sexes. Bobcats primarily selected for stands burned ≤ 1.1 years post-fire. Conclusions: Our results show that bobcats exploit a broad range of habitat types in pine landscapes managed with frequent fire and commonly use recently burned stands (≤ 1.1 year post-fire), suggesting prey in many areas of this system are at risk of bobcat predation. Additionally, we suggest land managers consider scale of selection by bobcats when developing habitat management strategies.

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“…Cotton rats start breeding as early as 2 months of age, and few survive >6 months (Odum, 1955). Cotton rats are an important prey species for a variety of predators and the primary cause of mortality is predation (Cameron and Spencer, 1981;Morris et al, 2011a). Cotton rats are characterized by high fecundity rates and their prolific breeding coupled with substantial predation mortality leads to population turnover in 5-8 months (Goertz, 1964).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%