Question

Study of simple ecosystem grassland,forest,Hill

Answer 1

kely are most pronounced in vegetation types that are most adapted to high-intensity fires, such as aspen forests and shrublands. Mountain or bighorn sheep selected intensely burned shrublands up to 15 years after fire in Montana (DeCesare and Pletscher, 2006) and in southern California mountains (Bleich et al., 2008). Wildfire increased the carrying capacity of southern California desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in the San Gabriel Mountains, dramatically increasing the number of animals in this endangered population (Holl et al., 2004). A large natural fire on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California improved the winter range of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) by increasing green forage availability, shifting diet composition to include more forbs, and possibly decreasing predation risk from mountain lions by increasing visibility (Greene et al., 2012). Overall, large, high-severity fire in bighorn sheep shrubland/forest habitats increases forage quality and availability as well as visual openness, which is critical because several populations are listed as endangered.

Studies investigating the impact of fire on mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), a common herbivore in the western United States, indicate that populations tend to increase after severe fire, especially in chaparral communities. In a review of the literature on ungulate responses to fire, Smith (2000) reported mule deer density in intensely burned chaparral