Effects of Wildfires on Wildlife: A Research Conversation

This research conversation explores the impact of wildfires on wildlife and the importance of better management and control of fires. The article analyzes two academic sources and discusses the need for in-text citations and academic honesty.

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Research Conversation: Effects of Wide Fires On Wild Life
The major enemy of the forests all across the world is not just man, but wildfires that are
seen as a significant threat. The fire season can destroy the herbs, shrubs, grassland and the
diversity of the forest within minutes. As a result, there is a long-term negative impact on flora
and fauna. Repeated fires can destroy not just the ecosystem structure, but can lower the species
diversity in flora and fauna. Better management of the forest fires can control the risk and
damage while adding to the advantages. For this research conversation, I will address the
following question: What are the impacts of wild fires on wildlife?
I have selected two articles to add to the academic research conversation regarding the
impact of fires on the forest and wildlife. The articles by Harper, Ford, Lashley, Moorman. &
Stambaugh (2016). “Fire Effects On Wildlife in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachian” and
Jane Kapler Smith (2000) “Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on fauna” are related to
the impact of fire on the forests and the ecosystem. The essay will make a rhetorical precis of
both the articles and describe how the authors support their thesis. How and why one article cites
the other will show the reason behind and how the citation of other article builds support. The
two articles would help add to the research on how fires can be destructive for the forests f
uncontrolled and not managed well. This research assignment would add to the understanding of
how academic research and the importance of in text citations.

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In the article “Fire Effects On Wildlife in The Central Hardwoods and Appalachian”, by
Harper et al. argue that fires need to be controlled and managed to have a minimum adverse
effect on wildlife. Harper et al. provide recommendations for fire prescriptions based on their
current research of fire effects on wildlife in central hardwoods in the Appalachians(131).
Harper et al. introduce the article by showing how fire has been used to manage hardwood in
mixed hardwood-pine in the Appalachian regions in the USA (129). Harper et al. explain the
need to burn forests and how it is used to promote and restore the ecosystem and maintain
wildlife habitat (130). The article offers a review of how fire can impact the associated wildlife
species based on the frequency and intensity of the fire (Harper et al. 133). The purpose of the
article is to draw attention to the need for better control and management of applying fire and
position the fires in the best-suited areas. It is a collective responsibility of fire management
bodies along with the community to keep the forests and its ecosystems intact. After all,
destructive fires are harmful not just to the flora and fauna but can impact the population in the
immediate vicinity. With a better understanding of how the position and intensity of fire can
impact the forests, the audience can be more vigilant and can help in the control and
management of fire. The information of this article can be put ingot practice in hardwood
ecosystems.
In the article” Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on fauna”, Smith (1) asserts that
there is still limited research on the effects of wildland fire on fauna. Smith (10) claims that the
fire effects the habitat structure of the animals and their species composition. Smith (17)
develops and supports his claims by discussing how animals respond relative to intensity and
severity of the fires, the rate of spread of the fire and its size in their mobility, immigration,
emigration, and mortality. There are dramatic impacts seen on the forest populations and many

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animal communities reorganize themselves (Smith 35). The article suggests a deeper
collaboration among researchers and managers to control and manage the fire better and
encourage better adaptions among the animals (Smith 61). The article educates the forest
department regarding better management and research on the impacts of fire on the forest
populations. With the knowledge gained, they can control the intensity and spread of fire and
control the risk associated. The information will be useful to maintain biodiversity and enrich
wildlife and achieve environmental goals.
Harper et al. cites the other article by Smith “Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of
Fire on Fauna" in their paper several times as it is on the same topic. The article cites the
original studies within the literature review which is a review of multiple studies. The article
cites Smith to explain the needs of multiple groups of one or more populations and variations by
location and different wildlife species (Harper et al. 130). Smiths’ article is used to draw
attention to the diverse needs of multiple groups of populations within a region and how no
single prescription fire can work best for all wildlife species (Harper et al. 130). . Moreover, they
cite the other article at another point to show how the fire can impact the food resources and
cause injury or death (Harper et al. 132). As Harper et al.’s article is on fire effects on wildlife,
the article uses Smith’s reference to show the lack of information related to wildlife fires and
how the fires can impact the flora and fauna directly and indirectly.
The above two articles will be used in my final paper to study how fire can be destructive
for the forests and its species if it is not controlled and managed. The listed articles would add to
the understanding of how fires can benefit the forests and its flora and fauna rather than leave a
destructive impact. My research will argue how a better understanding of the topography and the
flora and fauna within a forest along with a better management of fire can help limit the damage

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and add to the benefits of the fire. Better control and management of applying fire in the best-
suited areas can add to the benefits like increased sunlight, and build habitat suitability for
several species (Smith 133). However, if the fires are not managed in terms of their intensity and
scale, they can only cause damage to the forest areas as well as its ecosystems (Harper et al. 36)
Better control and management is possible only with a detailed study of the topography, the
diversity of flora and fauna, understanding of their habitat, and the extent of fire effects on the
animal and plant species (Harper et al. 60). Repeated fires in the same location or fewer fires can
lead to long term negative impact (Smith 134). Wildlife and plant species are known to benefit
because of fires, but only if they are well managed and controlled. My research would focus on
how to control fire burning so that it induces desirable effects like renewing the forest, promoting
increased sunlight and preserving the flora and fauna species diversity.
The sources are as important as the citations. It is critical is to refer the content and use
in-text citation to give credit to the original authors. How those citations are made is important,
and one has to write the name of the authors carefully along with the year. Ignoring those aspects
will not only make the research lose its credibility but can be seen as plagiarism. The research
conversation will help me to be more careful in my next assignment and follow the basic rules of
the academic research. The purpose is to reflect academic honesty and avoid the common pitfalls
of plagiarism with appropriate citations. Studying academic articles allows one to understand
how academics think and write for academic audiences. It is essential to find the right sources to
support the academic paper and pick the best source after evaluating several sources.

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Works Cited
Harper, C.A., Ford, W.A., Lashley, M.A., Moorman, C.E. & Stambaugh, M.C. " Fire Effects On
Wildlife in The Central Hardwoods and Appalachian Regions, USA”, Fire Ecology, vol.
12, no. 2, 2016, pp. 127-156.
Smith, Jane Kapler. " Wildland Fire In Ecosystems: Effects Of Fire On Fauna." U.S.
Department of Agriculture, vol. 1, no. 42, 2000, pp. 1-79. doi:
10.4996/fireecology.1202127