Patchy prescribed fire has variable effects on invasive predators and
their native prey
Abstract
In many parts of the world, climate change is increasing the likelihood
of severe wildfire in protected areas, while planned burns are occurring
more frequently in an attempt to manage risk. These fires shape animal
communities by altering resource availability and species interactions,
including between predators and prey. In Australia, there is particular
concern that native prey species may experience elevated post-fire
predation by introduced feral cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes
(Vulpes vulpes). We tested how a prescribed fire, vegetation, and other
habitat variables affected the activity of cats, foxes, and the native
mammal community in southeastern Australia. We used camera traps to
quantify mammal activity before and after a prescribed burn, and
statistically tested how the fire interacted with key habitat variables
to affect mammal activity. We found little evidence that the prescribed
fire influenced the activity of cats and foxes and no evidence of an
effect on macropod or small mammal (<800 g) activity.
Medium-sized mammals (800–2,000 g) were negatively associated with
prescribed fire extent. The lack of response of cats and foxes to the
prescribed burn is a positive outcome from a fire management
perspective. Nonetheless, we recommend future experiments use GPS
trackers to record fine-scale movements of cats, foxes, and their native
prey in temperate ecosystems immediately following prescribed fires the
best inform effective management within protected areas.