FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Gopherus agassizii | Desert Tortoise 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
Brush fires can be lethal to desert tortoises because they move so
slowly.  Fragments of tortoise shells have been found in burned areas
[22].  Tortoises usually estivate in burrows during the hot, dry summer
months when fires are more likely to occur.  Therefore any direct fire
effects on tortoises may be minimal, although some smoke-caused
mortality is possible.


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
The absence of literature dealing either peripherally or specifically
with fire effects on the desert tortoise may indicate that it has not
been a concern.  Humphrey [11] stated that fires do not carry well in
the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, two areas where tortoises are
concentrated.  These areas are dominated by widely spaced, open-branched
trees and shrubs.  However, fire can carry well in areas with abundant
grasses and forbs, areas also frequented by tortoises.  Bock and Bock
[5] reported that although more research is needed to determine the
effects of fire on wildlife in the Sonoran-Mojave desertscrub, in
general, fire is destructive to woody plants and cacti and does not
necessarily increase forbs and grasses.  They see little benefit and
much potential harm to wildlife as a result of fire.  However, they also
reported that in what was once the Sonoran savanna grassland (now
invaded by desertscrub), fire could be an important wildlife management
tool for restoring grassland [5].  Summer fires may be most detrimental
to the tortoise because they rely on dried grasses for forage during
this time.  Winter fires may be less harmful because tortoises hibernate
then and are not dependent on available food [14].


FIRE USE : 
Prescribed fire can be used to control invading shrubs and possibly
increase forage production.  If used they should probably be conducted
during mid-winter.  Tortoises are not dependent on forage then, and they
can avoid any direct mortality from fire.  Tortoises display dramatic
changes in seasonal feeding behavior, which are greatly influenced by
temperature and moisture.  Burning just before the rainy season may be
beneficial if forage is replaced during or towards the end of the rains.
Tortoises come out of their burrows at this time and depend on the
available grasses and forbs.  In general burning should be very
carefully planned so as not to coincide with feeding seasons of the
tortoise.  They feed in the spring and periodically throughout the
summer, during and following rainstorms.  They also feed just before
hibernation in mid-October [14].  Bock and Bock [5] concluded that
prescribed fire frequency in the Sonoran savanna grassland should not
exceed postburn recovery time of forbs and grasses.  Also, shrub and
tree cover should be maintained where they occur naturally.


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Gopherus agassizii | Desert Tortoise