How Wildfires Affect an Ecosystem

Name: _________________________________       Date: _____________

How do wildfires affect animals and plants? You and your classmates will each investigate one animal and one plant to see how well certain organisms have adapted to fire. Then you will compare survival strategies.

1. Visit Fire Effects Information System from the U.S. Forest Service. Click on Animal Species. Click on either mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian. What animal would you like to learn more about? What type of animal is it? What is its scientific name?
   
   
   
   
2. Click on the name of the animal to go to the Introductory Information page for your animal. Where does this animal live? Find this information on the Biological Data and Habitat Requirements page. Describe its Preferred Habitat in one sentence. If there is no information on this animal, select another one.
   
   
   
   
3. What does this animal eat? Scroll down this page to the Food Habits and write down what it eats. Does it eat plants, other animals, or both?
   
   
   
   
4. What is the direct effect of fire on your animal? Click back to the Introductory Information page. Now click on the Fire Effects and Use page and read the Direct Fire Effects on Animals section. Does your animal have a means of escape or refuge (fly, burrow, run, swim, etc.)? Does it say anything about young animals and their means of escape?
   
   
   
   
5. What are the habitat-related effects of fire on your animal? Consider its breeding, nesting, hiding, and food requirements.
   
   
   
   
6. Read the rest of the Fire Effects and Use page. How might fire benefit your animal? How might it be harmful? Think about both long and short-term effects on the animal itself, as well as its habitat and food supply.
   
   
   
   
7. Next, you'll look at how fire affects Plant Species. What plant would you like to learn more about? What type of plant is it (tree, shrub, etc.)? What is its scientific name?
   
   
   
   
8. How does this plant cope with fires? Visit its Fire Ecology page and skim the Fire Ecology or Adaptations. Also visit the Fire Effects page and skim the Immediate Fire Effect and Plant Response to Fire sections. Try to determine which strategies best apply to your plant. Put an "X" next to the recommendations that apply to your plant.
   ___ Above-ground parts are resistant to fire
   ___ Ability to regrow from roots or rhizomes
   ___ Seeds or spores survive fire
   ___ Seeds or spores settle from non-burned area
   ___ Other ______________________
   
   
9. Discuss what you have learned about your plant and animal with your classmates. What is the relationship between the plants and animals your class has chosen?
   
   
   
   
10. Write the names of your plants and animals on index cards. Tape them to the chalkboard and draw the food web connecting them. You may want to show other relationships, like habitat (trees and shrubs may provide nesting areas for certain animals).