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<p>Ground-foraging insectivorous species, such as shrews, are ecological indicators reflecting prey availability and habitat quality. Declines in insect abundance due to intensified land use and climate change may threaten these species. Wildfires and post-fire salvage logging can further impact their populations by altering their habitats and affecting their recovery dynamics. This study examines the factors that influence the abundance of the greater white-toothed shrew (<i>Crocidura russula</i>) in four recently burnt areas of Catalonia. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyse spatio-temporal effects and habitat characteristics, focusing on variables such as season, distance to burnt perimeter, fire severity, shelter availability, and management practices. Over 2.5&#xa0;years, 1,065 small mammals were captured during 15,933 trap nights, with 16.25% identified as <i>C. russula</i>. Models showed that <i>C. russula</i> abundance increased with time since fire and was higher in summer, especially in Mediterranean regions due to increased invertebrate availability. Unburnt areas and lower fire severity positively influenced abundance, indicating the negative impact of fire on its populations. While burnt areas had lower shrew abundance, salvage logging enhanced habitat through artificial piles of branches, providing shelter and food. Overall, environmental changes from wildfires significantly influence <i>C. russula</i>'s distribution. Its limited recolonization of burnt areas suggests that habitat recovery, along with factors like food availability, predation, and social structure, are essential for sustaining <i>C. russula</i> populations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective biodiversity management, particularly in the face of ongoing habitat disturbances. These findings inform post-fire management for insectivorous small mammal recovery.</p>

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Assessing the resilience of ground-feeding insectivorous mammals to fire-induced habitat changes

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月13日

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  • Roger Puig-Gironès

摘要

Ground-foraging insectivorous species, such as shrews, are ecological indicators reflecting prey availability and habitat quality. Declines in insect abundance due to intensified land use and climate change may threaten these species. Wildfires and post-fire salvage logging can further impact their populations by altering their habitats and affecting their recovery dynamics. This study examines the factors that influence the abundance of the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) in four recently burnt areas of Catalonia. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyse spatio-temporal effects and habitat characteristics, focusing on variables such as season, distance to burnt perimeter, fire severity, shelter availability, and management practices. Over 2.5 years, 1,065 small mammals were captured during 15,933 trap nights, with 16.25% identified as C. russula. Models showed that C. russula abundance increased with time since fire and was higher in summer, especially in Mediterranean regions due to increased invertebrate availability. Unburnt areas and lower fire severity positively influenced abundance, indicating the negative impact of fire on its populations. While burnt areas had lower shrew abundance, salvage logging enhanced habitat through artificial piles of branches, providing shelter and food. Overall, environmental changes from wildfires significantly influence C. russula's distribution. Its limited recolonization of burnt areas suggests that habitat recovery, along with factors like food availability, predation, and social structure, are essential for sustaining C. russula populations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective biodiversity management, particularly in the face of ongoing habitat disturbances. These findings inform post-fire management for insectivorous small mammal recovery.