« Previous Abstract"Root distribution and potential interactions between allelopathic rice, sprangletop (Leptochloa spp.), and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) based on (1)(3)C isotope discrimination analysis"    Next AbstractSteroid hormone (20-hydroxyecdysone) modulates the acquisition of aversive olfactory memories in pollen forager honeybees »

J Anim Ecol

Title:		Predator responses to fire: A global systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s):		Geary WL; Doherty TS; Nimmo DG; Tulloch AIT; Ritchie EG;
Address:		"School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong/Burwood, Vic., Australia. Biodiversity Division, Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, East Melbourne, Vic., Australia. School of Environmental Science, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia"
Journal Title:		J Anim Ecol
Year:		2020
Volume:		20200128
Issue:		4
Page Number:		955 - 971
DOI:		10.1111/1365-2656.13153
ISSN/ISBN:		1365-2656 (Electronic) 0021-8790 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Knowledge of how disturbances such as fire shape habitat structure and composition, and affect animal interactions, is fundamental to ecology and ecosystem management. Predators also exert strong effects on ecological communities, through top-down regulation of prey and competitors, which can result in trophic cascades. Despite their ubiquity, ecological importance and potential to interact with fire, our general understanding of how predators respond to fire remains poor, hampering ecosystem management. To address this important knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of fire on terrestrial, vertebrate predators world-wide. We found 160 studies spanning 1978-2018. There were 36 studies with sufficient information for meta-analysis, from which we extracted 96 effect sizes (Hedges' g) for 67 predator species relating to changes in abundance indices, occupancy or resource selection in burned and unburned areas, or before and after fire. Studies spanned geographic locations, taxonomic families and study designs, but most were located in North America and Oceania (59% and 24%, respectively), and largely focussed on felids (24%) and canids (25%). Half (50%) of the studies reported responses to wildfire, and nearly one third concerned prescribed (management) fires. There were no clear, general responses of predators to fire, nor relationships with geographic area, biome or life-history traits (e.g. body mass, hunting strategy and diet). Responses varied considerably between species. Analysis of species for which at least three effect sizes had been reported in the literature revealed that red foxes Vulpes vulpes mostly responded positively to fire (e.g. higher abundance in burned compared to unburned areas) and eastern racers Coluber constrictor negatively, with variances overlapping zero only slightly for both species. Our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed strong variation in predator responses to fire, and major geographic and taxonomic knowledge gaps. Varied responses of predator species to fire likely depend on ecosystem context. Consistent reporting of ongoing monitoring and management experiments is required to improve understanding of the mechanisms driving predator responses to fire, and any broader effects (e.g. trophic interactions). The divergent responses of species in our study suggest that adaptive, context-specific management of predator-fire relationships is required"
Keywords:		Animals *Ecosystem *Fires Foxes North America Predatory Behavior carnivore disturbance fire mesopredator meta-analysis predator systematic review trophic relationships;
Notes:		"MedlineGeary, William L Doherty, Tim S Nimmo, Dale G Tulloch, Ayesha I T Ritchie, Euan G eng Meta-Analysis Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Systematic Review England 2019/11/28 J Anim Ecol. 2020 Apr; 89(4):955-971. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13153. Epub 2020 Jan 28"