2018
DOI: 10.1007/s10682-018-9927-6
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Towards an understanding of the evolutionary role of fire in animals

Abstract: Wildfires underpin the dynamics and diversity of many ecosystems worldwide, and plants show a plethora of adaptive traits for persisting recurrent fires. Many fire-prone ecosystems also harbor a rich fauna; however, knowledge about adaptive traits to fire in animals remains poorly explored. We review existing literature and suggest that fire is an important evolutionary driver for animal diversity because (1) many animals are present in fire-prone landscapes and may have structural and phenotypic characters th… Show more

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Cited by 188 publications
(173 citation statements)
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References 83 publications
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“…Most studies have recognised animals that have a diet adapted to fire-resistant vegetation, a flexible diet, or a high capacity to move towards unburned areas, or even below ground, thus reducing the population death rate (Monteiro et al, 2017;Vasconcelos et al, 2017). This replacement might result in the recovery of the previous community or, on the other hand, changes in species composition after fires, given that some animal species are opportunistic, or even specialised to post-fire conditions (Pausas & Parr, 2018). This replacement might result in the recovery of the previous community or, on the other hand, changes in species composition after fires, given that some animal species are opportunistic, or even specialised to post-fire conditions (Pausas & Parr, 2018).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Most studies have recognised animals that have a diet adapted to fire-resistant vegetation, a flexible diet, or a high capacity to move towards unburned areas, or even below ground, thus reducing the population death rate (Monteiro et al, 2017;Vasconcelos et al, 2017). This replacement might result in the recovery of the previous community or, on the other hand, changes in species composition after fires, given that some animal species are opportunistic, or even specialised to post-fire conditions (Pausas & Parr, 2018). This replacement might result in the recovery of the previous community or, on the other hand, changes in species composition after fires, given that some animal species are opportunistic, or even specialised to post-fire conditions (Pausas & Parr, 2018).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The different ecology and evolution of plants and animals in fire-prone ecosystems partly explains the distinct management approaches and underpinning research [5]. Plants are immobile throughout much of their life-cycle and many have endogenous means of reproduction from seedbanks or vegetative buds that promote in situ persistence after a fire [6].…”
Section: Taxonomic Focusmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…For example, Thomas and Vesk (2017) built a hierarchical multi-species model to predict tree species growth trajectories at different times since fire as a function of their traits (stem density, seed size, and specific leaf area) [22]. This approach could be extended to animal data, and can be combined with new measures of ecological, behavioral, and physiological traits [5], to provide a mechanistic understanding of animal succession and better integration with plant functional trait frameworks.…”
Section: Shared Mechanismsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Her notable works include understanding the impacts of spatial burn heterogeneity on biodiversity in tropical and subtropical savannas [185], the effects of savanna fires on ant communities [186], and further understanding tropical grassy biomes [187]. Her recent work has included a synthesis that called for further research into the evolutions and adaptations that have occurred in animals in response to fire [188].…”
Section: Approachmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Her notable works include understanding the impacts of spatial burn heterogeneity on biodiversity in tropical and subtropical savannas [185], the effects of savanna fires on ant communities [186], and further understanding tropical grassy biomes [187]. Her recent work has included a synthesis that called for further research into the evolutions and adaptations that have occurred in animals in response to fire [188].Carol Miller is a research ecologist at the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute. Dr. Miller's research focuses on assessing the biophysical drivers behind fire regimes, investigating interactions between fire regimes, climate, and the patterns and processes of vegetation, assessing the balance between fire suppression and restoring fire within functioning ecosystems, and evaluating the impacts of climate on fire regimes.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%