Observations of Black-Tailed Jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) Increase within Forests Treated with Prescribed Fire

Amacher, Andrew J.; Barrett, Reginald H.; Stephens, Scott L.

doi:10.1894/ps-54.1

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, in undisturbed dense mesquite, black-tailed jackrabbit numbers were nearly identical to those in mesquite habitat with openings (Germano et al 1983). In California, observations of jackrabbits increased in a mixed coniferous forest subjected to prescribed fire treatments as a consequence of the increased openness of the understory and newly available food resources (Amacher et al 2011).…”

Section: Jackrabbits and Humansmentioning

confidence: 84%

Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the American West: History, Ecology, Ecological Significance, and Survey Methods

Simes

Longshore

Nussear

et al. 2015

Western North American Naturalist

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Across the western United States, Leporidae are the most important prey item in the diet of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Leporids inhabiting the western United States include black-tailed (Lepus californicus) and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) and various species of cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.). Jackrabbits (Lepus spp.) are particularly important components of the ecological and economic landscape of western North America because their abundance influences the reproductive success and population trends of predators such as coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and a number of raptor species. Here, we review literature pertaining to black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits comprising over 170 published journal articles, notes, technical reports, conference proceedings, academic theses and dissertations, and other sources dating from the late 19th century to the present. Our goal is to present information to assist those in research and management, particularly with regard to protected raptor species (e.g., Golden Eagles), mammalian predators, and ecological monitoring. We classified literature sources as (1) general information on jackrabbit species, (2) black-tailed or (3) white-tailed jackrabbit ecology and natural history, or (4) survey methods. These categories, especially 2, 3, and 4, were further subdivided as appropriate. The review also produced several tables on population trends, food habits, densities within various habitats, and jackrabbit growth and development. Black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits are ecologically similar in general behaviors, use of forms, parasites, and food habits, and they are prey to similar predators; but they differ in their preferred habitats. While the black-tailed jackrabbit inhabits agricultural land, deserts, and shrublands, the white-tailed jackrabbit is associated with prairies, alpine tundra, and sagebrush-steppe. Frequently considered abundant, jackrabbit numbers in western North America fluctuate temporally and spatially. We also reviewed methods used to investigate jackrabbit populations, including spotlight line transects, flushing transects, drive counts, pellet plot counts, collections, roadside counts, mark-recapture studies, and radio-telemetry studies. Our review of jackrabbit literature illustrates a number of deficiencies in our understanding of jackrabbits in general. As an example, a detailed quantitative description of habitat preferences is lacking, as is a thorough understanding of sympatric jackrabbit species interactions. Even the existence of the oft-cited jackrabbit "cycle" is a matter of debate. Survey methods generally do not address efficacy or accuracy in measuring jackrabbit density or abundance. In addition, there is a paucity of information about jackrabbits in the Mojave Desert, with no real understanding of home ranges, habitat preferences, and population dynamics or demographics in this region.

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Section: Jackrabbits and Humansmentioning

confidence: 84%

Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the American West: History, Ecology, Ecological Significance, and Survey Methods

Simes

Longshore

Nussear

et al. 2015

Western North American Naturalist

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show abstract

“… Keith and Surrendi (1971) report more hares in burned areas 1 year after wildfire. Other researchers also report lagomorph population increases at certain time periods after the occurrence of wildfire or prescribed fire ( Gates and Eng 1983 ; Ferron and St-Laurent 2008 ; Rollan and Real 2010 ; Amacher et al. 2011 )…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Mammals and habitat disturbance: the case of brown hare and wildfire

et al. 2016

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Ecosystem disturbances, such as wildfires, are driving forces that determine ecology and conservation measures. Species respond differentially to wildfires, having diverse post-fire population evolution. This study reports, for first time, the responses of brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) to wildfires. Hare relative abundance, age ratio, diet quality, body condition, and diseases were studied. Fire influence on vegetation was calculated at a micro-scale level. Hare abundance was lower the first year after wildfires in burned relative to unburned areas. The reverse was found in the second year when hare abundance was higher in burned areas. Hare abundance in burned areas was also higher in the third and fourth years. In the fifth and sixth years after wildfire no significant difference was found in abundance. At a micro-scale level, higher numbers of hare feces were counted in places with greater wildfire influence on vegetation. Age ratio analysis revealed more juveniles in burned areas, but the same number of neonates in burned and unburned areas, indicating lower mortality of juveniles in burned areas. Reduced predation in burned areas provides the most plausible explanation for our findings.

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“…On the other hand, Keith & Surrendi (1971) found more snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in burned areas one year after a wildfire. Similarly, an increase in lagomorphs populations after wild or prescribed fires has been reported (Rollan & Real 2010, Amacher et al 2011. Moreira et al (2001) suggest that in Mediterranean ecosystems wildfires can positively affect bird populations, or have little impact on winter visitors like woodcock.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

The impacts of a wildfire on hunting demand: a case study of a Mediterranean ecosystem

Papaspyropoulos¹,

Sokos²,

Birtsas³

2015

iForest

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Observations of Black-Tailed Jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) Increase within Forests Treated with Prescribed Fire

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the American West: History, Ecology, Ecological Significance, and Survey Methods

Black-Tailed and White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the American West: History, Ecology, Ecological Significance, and Survey Methods

Mammals and habitat disturbance: the case of brown hare and wildfire

The impacts of a wildfire on hunting demand: a case study of a Mediterranean ecosystem

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