Study

A meta-analysis of the effects of wildfire, clearcutting, and partial harvest on the abundance of North American small mammals

  • Published source details Zwolak R. (2009) A meta-analysis of the effects of wildfire, clearcutting, and partial harvest on the abundance of North American small mammals. Forest Ecology and Management, 258, 539-545.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use selective harvesting instead of clearcutting

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Use selective harvesting instead of clearcutting

    A systematic review in 2008 of 56 studies of small mammal responses to partial harvesting, clearcutting or wildfire in North American forests (Zwolak 2009) found that partially harvested forests had more red-backed voles Myodes gapperi, but not deer mice Peromyscus maniculatus than did clearcut forests. Absolute abundances are not presented but vole numbers in partially harvested stands, 1–9 years after harvesting, were significantly higher than in clearcut stands. Deer mouse abundances did not differ significantly between partially harvested and clearcut stands. Meta-analyses were carried out on studies identified following a defined literature search procedure.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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