Fire severity has mixed benefits to breeding bird species in the southern Appalachians

Abstract

Fire is frequently applied as a management tool on both public and private lands. However, in some ecosystems there is little information about bird species’ responses to these fire programs. In 2004 we measured habitat characteristics and conducted point counts in 12 burned sites and four unburned sites in the Chattahoochee National Forest of northern Georgia. Burns were categorized by severity (low, medium, or high) and time since fire (1–2 or 3–6 years). The basal area of snags, shrub stem density and percent canopy cover were similar among all treatments except high severity. Otherwise, fire severity had limited impacts on measured habitat characteristics. Following fires the densities of early-succession species such as eastern towhee ( Pipilo erythropthalmus) and indigo bunting ( Passerina cyanea) were greatest in areas of higher fire severity. A ground-nesting species (ovenbird [ Seiurus aurocapilla]) was less abundant in burned sites and the density of a shrub nesting species, the hooded warbler ( Setophaga citrine) was greatest in areas that received low severity fires. Scarlet tanager ( Piranga olivacea), tufted titmouse ( Baeolophus bicolor), red-eyed vireo ( Vireo olivaceus), black-throated green warbler ( Setophaga virens), and black-and-white warbler ( Mniotilta varia) had similar densities among all burn severities and showed no relationships with time since fire. Low and medium severity fires provided few benefits for most bird species. When conditions allow for their application, severe fires may be considered as a useful and historically appropriate management tool for some high-priority bird species in the southern Appalachian Mountains.