Effects of Fire on Bird and Small Mammal Communities in the Grasslands of Wind Cave National Park

Abstract

Wind Cave National Park initiated a prescribed burning program in 1972 and yearly burns have been conducted since to evaluate the effects of fire on the Park biota. This research project is designed to determine what effects burning is having on bird and small mammal populations within the grassland community. The objectives of this investigation include: 1. Comparisons of bird and small mammal population levels between pre- and post-burn transects and between burned and control areas; and 2. Vegetation sampling to demonstrate the importance of certain plant species densities and stand composition for the various species of birds and small mammals.