Effects of Wildfires on Wildlife: A Research Conversation

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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