Responses of stream benthic macroinvertebrates to fire

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2003-06, Vol.178 (1), p.155-161
• Main Author: Minshall, G.Wayne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Benthos; biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; ecosystems; Forest and land fires; Forest management; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; habitats; macroinvertebrates; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; resource management; runoff; Salvage logging; space and time; Streams; Synecology; watersheds; Weather damages. Fires; Wildfire ecology
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(03)00059-8

Synthesis of published research on the responses of stream benthic macroinvertebrates to fire in western United States indicates a consistent pattern of response that can guide resource management and future research. Direct effects of fire generally are minor or indiscernible. Indirect effects, resulting primarily from increased rates of runoff and channel alteration, have the greatest impacts on macroinvertebrate community metrics and foodweb responses. Postfire effects are variable in time and space, but in smaller size streams (first to fourth order) that are otherwise undisturbed, changes generally are restricted to the first 5–10 years following fire and are associated with the more intense burns (crown fires with ≥50% of the catchment involved). In unfragmented habitats, initially supporting intact, functioning stream ecosystems, recovery from fire appears to be relatively rapid and to contribute to enhanced aquatic productivity and biodiversity. However, in poorly managed watersheds and those subjected to indiscriminate salvage logging, impacts from fire are expected to be greater and recovery of the macroinvertebrate communities and stream ecosystems more protracted.