Managing fire mosaics for small mammal conservation: a landscape perspective

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02124.x
• Publication Date: 2012-03-14T17:21:54Z
• Authors: Luke T. Kelly; Dale G. Nimmo; Lisa M. Spence‐Ba...; Rick S. Taylor; Simon J. Watson; Michael F. Clarke; Andrew F. Bennett
• Keywords: Fire regime; Fire ecology; Fire history

Summary 1. Fire is a major driver of ecosystem structure and function worldwide. It also widely used as management tool to achieve conservation goals. A common objective the maintenance ‘fire mosaics’ comprising spatially heterogeneous patches differing fire history. However, it unclear what properties mosaics most enhance efforts. Here we focus on spatial temporal fire‐prone landscapes that influence distribution small mammals. 2. We surveyed mammals in 28 (each 12·6 km²) representing range histories Murray Mallee region (104 000 semi‐arid Australia. Generalised linear mixed models were examine five landscape capture rate individual species richness native investigated proportional extent age‐classes, diversity dominant vegetation type, rainfall history biogeographic context. 3. Three four study associated with age‐classes. Older was found provide important habitat for Overall, however, context influences: example, positively above‐average rainfall. There little evidence age‐classes influenced either or richness. 4. Synthesis applications. In environments, availability can change markedly over short time‐scales. Sufficient at suitable seral stage within key requirement conservation. mallee ecosystems, retention older recommended create more desirable addition such are amenable manipulation, an understanding how ecological processes affect biota (such variation rainfall‐driven productivity) essential informed management.