POST-FIRE EFFECTS ON OBSERVED FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED FROGS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE CAMPFIRE SEVERITY IN CONCOW, CALIFORNIA AND POST-FIRE BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES

David R Terry; California State University, Chico; davidterry556@gmail.com;

Amphibians are an ancient lineage of organisms that have existed for millions of years and are dependent on varying life histories, and niches throughout their lives. Therefore, they are easily harmed by slight alterations to their habitat. Research on the effect(s) of fire has been limited with regard to frogs. Fire suppression and climate change have exasperated the current health of our forests. Global climate change and habitat loss are largely attributed to the worldwide amphibian declines. However, the lack of natural low-intensity wildfires due to fire suppression may play a crucial role in the decline of native amphibians in California. Many floral and fauna species have co-evolved with fire in some capacity in North America, and it is reasonable that our native frogs have some adaptability to the effects of fire. Therefore, fire suppression may be adding to their decline by preventing successional/transitional forests and temporal habitat windows. I am trying to research/investigate the evolutionary behavior of Rana boylii (Foothill Yellow-legged frogs) response to a post-fire landscape in Northern California. To determine if R. boylii is capable of detecting and behavioral responding to a fire-scarred landscape.

Wildfire and Disturbance Response   Student Paper InPerson Presentation