Impact of fire in the taiga of southeastern Manitoba on wildlife, vegetation, and value to resource users
Date
2013-10-23
Authors
Martin, H.V.P.
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Abstract
During the summer of 1982, trapping and vegetation
surveys were carried out on permanent study plots within 6
of 7 different types of plant communities within the
South-eastern Manitoba Taiga, which had been subjected to
fire in May of 1980. A unique feature of this study area
was the existence of an 8 year pre-fire data base. A total
of 129 mammals, 123 of which are typified as "small mammals"
were captured in 2100 trap nights. The number captured in
each plant community were as follows: Jack Pine Ridge 19,
Alder Jack Pine Ecotone 30, Alder Tamarack Bog 20, Jack Pine
Sand Plain 5, Black Spruce Bog 5, Aspen Upland 21, Black
Spruce Tamarack Bog 29. Pre-fire small mammal data for the
permanent study plots were available, and up to ten years of
data were used for comparative evaluation of fire effects.
The effects of the fire vary according to the severity of
the burn, but small mammal population numbers and biomass
estimates for most plots increased the fall immediately
after the burn, and then dropped in 1981. Specifically,
Clethrionomys gapperi and Peromyscus maniculatus increased
with the fire, and Sorex cinereus continued to fluctuate.
Three growing seasons after the fire, population numbers and
biomass estimates have declined, but are equal to or above
minimum pre-fire levels. The effects of fire on other local
wildlife, such as ungulates, fur bearers, and birds are
discussed briefly.
Current vegetation data were compared with pre-fire data
and some basic post-fire reproductive strategies were
observed. Pioneer or fugitive species with numerous
light-weight wind-disseminated seeds, or those with
Long-lived seeds stored in soil seed banks, which grow and
mature rapidly were present. Frugivores are also suspected
to have been an agent of post-fire seed dispersal.
Vegetative reproduction through root sprouting or suckering
was a dominant strategy observed on some plots. Relatively
slow growing, late maturing species with larger, heavier
seeds were also observed, and these are expected eventually
to regain their upper canopy status.
In an attempt to place a dollar value on the study area,
the user's willingness to pay for benefits from use of the
resources of the area, was combined with the potential
attainable revenue from exploitation of local resources.
The combined value is calculated to be in excess of
$597,208.93. Interest in timber resources 80 years hence
could present a conflict for land use management. It is
recommended that the Taiga Biological Station study area be
protected in its natural state, with controlled educational,
research, traditional, and recreational activities permitted.
Description
Keywords
Taiga, Boreal forest, Fire, Ecosystem