1. This paper reviews and compares the effects of forest fire and timber harvest on mammalian abundance and diversity, throughout successional time in the boreal forest of North America. 2. Temporal trends in mammal abundance and diversity are generally similar for both harvested and burned stands, with some differences occurring in the initiation stage (0-10 years post disturbance). 3. Small mammals and ungulates are most abundant immediately post disturbance, and decrease as stands age. Lynxes and hares utilize mid-successional stands, but are rare in young and old stands. Bats, arboreal sciurids and mustelids increase in abundance with stand age, and are most abundant in old growth. 4. Substantial gaps in the data exist for carnivores; the response of these species to fire and harvest requires research, as predator-prey interactions can affect mammal community structure in both early and late successional stages. 5. The lack of explicit treatment of in-stand forest structure post disturbance, in the reviewed literature made comparisons difficult. Where forest structure was considered, the presence of downed woody material, live residual trees and standing dead wood were shown to facilitate convergence of mammal communities to a pre-disturbance state for both disturbance types. 6. Mammalian assemblages differed considerably between successional stages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stands of each successional stage on the landscape when implementing forest management strategies.

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vi 1.0 time. Morley Riske generously provided his expertise on grebe ecology and surveying techniques, accompanied us on field surveys, and inspired us all with his dedication to grebe conservation. Andre Breault, of the Canadian Wildlife Service in Vancouver, also provided us with his expertise in grebe ecology and surveying techniques. Andrea Thompson conducted fieldwork, data management, and edited an earlier draft of this report, for which we are very grateful. We sincerely appreciate the logistical assistance provided to us by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis project is in its second year, and is designed to monitor population trends and reproductive success of western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared grebes ( Podiceps nigricollis) within the Stony Plain study area, Alberta. Surveys are projected to span a five year period, and the results will be used in conservation and management efforts. This project also provides information to support lake habitat conservation and public education. Survey protocols developed by this project are applicable to other regions in Alberta. In 2002, surveying effort was focused on the primary western and eared grebe populations identified in the initial year of this project. Ground nest surveys were the primary means used to estimate adult population sizes; however, this technique was modified slightly from 2001. Instead of conducting a single total nest count at the predicted peak of the nesting season, we surveyed each colony along a sample transect several times during the nesting season. Total nest counts were conducted near end or after the nesting period, and the results from which were used to derive a total breeding adult population estimate.