Title: Response of eastern chipmunks to single application spring prescribed fires on the Fernow Experimental Forest

Author: Rowan, E.L.; Ford, W.M.; Castleberry, S.B.; Rodrigue, J.L.; Schuler, T.M.

Year: 2005

Publication: Res. Pap. NE-727. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 10 p.

Abstract: We used radiotelemetry to examine the effects of spring prescribed fire for preharvest oak (Quercus spp.) shelterwood management on eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) home-range attributes and burrow use on the Fernow Experimental Forest in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Results for 21 chipmunks showed that prescribed fire had little discernable effect on home-range or core-area size, extent of conspecific overlap, or burrow use. Fire tolerance of this common forest rodent provides additional evidence supporting the use of prescribed burning to achieve vegetation management objectives in the central Appalachians where appropriate.