FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Canis lupus | Wolf 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
No direct fire effects on gray wolves have been noted.
 


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
The effect of fire on gray wolf habitat is best defined by how fire affects
gray wolves' prey.  Beaver, elk, moose, and deer are fire-dependent species,
requiring the plant communities that persist following frequent fires
[14,17].  Edwards [8] reported that after fire moose populated the area
around Wells Gray Park, British Columbia, where they were previously
unknown.  This was followed by a marked increase in gray wolves.  Other
studies in Alaska, Michigan, Minnesota, and Canada show an increase in
moose populations following fire [14,15,32].

Now absent from the old-growth forests of Minnesota, caribou once were
an important prey for gray wolves here.  These forests do not provide enough
food to sustain other ungulates for gray wolves to prey on.  Due to fire
exclusion, these old-growth forested areas have increased, checking
ungulate populations and consequently limiting gray wolf populations [15].


FIRE USE : 
Fire can be used to create browse for ungulates which, in turn, provides
prey for gray wolves.  In Minnesota Heinselman [15] concluded that enough
early postfire plant communities must exist within a gray wolf pack's
territory to support a surplus of deer, moose, and beaver for prey.
Adequate hiding cover should be maintained for the ungulates.  If they
are abundant then gray wolf populations have a better chance of thriving.
Gray wolves prosper best when they have a large area, relatively free from
human disturbance, in which to roam, and when there is a surplus of
ungulates [16].  Frequent fires that promote ungulate browse in and
around areas that are at least moderately remote offer ideal gray wolf
habitat.


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Canis lupus | Wolf