Summer herpetofaunal response to prescribed fire and herbicide in intensively managed, mid‐rotation pine stands in Mississippi

Abstract

Managers of commercial forests are increasingly expected to incorporate conservation of biodiversity in forest management plans, but a paucity of information exists regarding herpetofaunal responses to mid‐rotation release practices of dormant‐season prescribed fire and selective herbicide in intensively managed pine (Pinus spp.) stands. However, these management tools have demonstrated capabilities of improving conservation value in these forests in the southeastern United States. Therefore, we investigated summer herpetofaunal responses to factorial combinations of dormant‐season prescribed fire and a commonly used herbicide (imazapyr) with a randomized complete block design of 6 mid‐rotation pine stands with 4 experimental units in Mississippi, USA, to which we applied at random 1 of 4 treatments (i.e., burn only, herbicide only, burn + herbicide, control). We captured 814 reptiles and 3,699 amphibians of 17 and 16 species, respectively, using drift‐fence arrays during May and June, 1999–2007. Herpetofaunal assemblages only differed between burn + herbicide and control plots in 2002. Species‐specific responses were limited to differences across years within treatments and greater eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) relative abundance in burned or herbicide‐treated sites soon after treatment. Furthermore, herpetofaunal associations with measured environmental variables (e.g., vegetation structure and biomass and trap‐site characteristics) did not indicate that treatment influenced fluctuations in species relative abundances. Consistent with past studies, forest managers of commercial pine forests using dormant‐season prescribed fire with or without imazapyr will most likely have minimal additional effects on herpetofaunal assemblages, but current knowledge gaps require additional research to better understand mechanisms of species abundance and persistence in these landscapes. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

Tamm review: Terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity and intensive forest management in the U.S.

“…Few studies have specifically examined responses of reptiles and amphibians to thinning in IFM, with research indicating that thinning effects are generally positive or neutral (Grialou et al 2000, Jones and Dorr 2004, Humphries 2005, Iglay et al 2014a. In North Carolina, spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) selected older forests with high canopy closure within intensively managed pine landscapes (O'Bryan et al 2016); these older forests were largely thinned pine stands.…”

“…provide value for vertebrates in IFM landscapes. Within IFM landscapes, retained patches and buffers, inoperable areas, small habitat features such as isolated wetlands, downed wood, and other edaphic features, can strongly influence presence and abundance of reptiles, amphibians, and other species irrespective of stand-level characteristics (Russell et al 2002, Shipman et al 2004, Iglay et al 2014a, O'Bryan 2014, Johnson et al 2016. Forest certification programs require participants to retain these habitat elements.…”

Effects of forest structure and harvest‐induced edges on predation risk

“…We conducted our research in the Interior Flatwoods (Pettry ) and Upper Coastal Plain geographic provinces of east‐central Mississippi, USA, in Kemper County—approximately 6 km southwest of Scooba (32°47′30″E, 88°30′61″N; Elmore et al , Iglay ). Our study area encompassed approximately 9,600 ha of mostly (70%) contiguous, intensively managed loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) stands of various ages, owned and managed by Weyerhaeuser Company for pine sawtimber (DBH >22.9 cm) production.…”

Bird response to intercropping switchgrass within a loblolly pine plantation

“…The climate of this region was subtropical with a mean annual temperature of 17.4° C and mean annual precipitation of 140 cm (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ). The study area consisted of 9,600 ha of loblolly pine stands of various ages (70%), mature pine‐hardwoods (17%), hardwoods (10%), and nonforested areas (3%; Iglay ).…”