FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Falco mexicanus | Prairie Falcon 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
Direct mortality from fire is rare for raptors [24].  Adults can
probably easily escape fire, and eggs and nestlings are rarely in
locations that can burn.


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
Prairie falcons occur in the following five major fire-dependent plant
associations in the western United States:  grasslands, semidesert
shrub-grasslands, sagebrush-grasslands, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper
(Pinus spp.-Juniperus spp.) [24].

Grassland raptors such as prairie falcons have been adversely affected
by fire exclusion wherever woodlands have encroached upon grasslands
[24].  Periodic fire may enhance the foraging habitat of prairie falcons
and increase the prey base [3,14,24].  Several studies indicate that
many small mammal and bird populations increase rapidly subsequent to
burning in response to increased food availability [14,24].
Additionally, fires in grasslands may increase prey availability by
removing accumulated litter and reducing cover [3].  Fire suppression in
grasslands is detrimental to populations of small bird and mammal
herbivores due to organic matter accumulation and reduced plant vigor
[35].

Raptors associated with pinyon-juniper woodlands depend upon edges of
openings created by fire and scattered islands of unburned woodlands
[14].

Although fire is often beneficial to prairie falcon prey species, Yensen
and others [36] reported that in the Snake River Birds of Prey Area,
southwestern Idaho, fire may reduce populations of Townsend's ground
squirrels (Spermophilus townsendii), a major prey species of prairie
falcons.


FIRE USE : 
To create or maintain desert grasslands, prescribed burning at an
interval not less than 5 years is recommended.  Periodic fire at
aproximately 5-year intervals will probably maintain an open condition,
though burning over successive years may be necessary to eliminate woody
invaders.  Five-year intervals between fires allow for herbaceous plant
recovery while not adversely affecting prey populations.  The goal of
prescribed burning in chaparral should be to create opportunities for
perennial grass to extend the open grass-shrub character.  Complete
elimination of climax chaparral species is not recommended.  Periodic
fire at aprroximately 5-year intervals will probably maintain an open
condition.  In most cases, burning plans must be integrated with proper
range management.  Postfire seeding of perennial grasses as well as rest
from livestock grazing may be necessary to achieve desired goals.
Because of human disturbance, prescribed burning should be deferred
until nesting is completed in areas where impact to breeding prairie
falcons may occur [14].  For more information regarding the use of
prescribed fire in specific habitats for the benefit of raptors in
general, see Dodd [14].


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Falco mexicanus | Prairie Falcon