Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/170088
"Planning to maintain natural systems and biodiversity is the focus of a new book that I co-authored: Conservation Planning – Shaping the Future." Fire. In what ways will the proliferation of wildfires impact various wildlife populations? Drought, high temperatures, and wind are the primary drivers of wildfires. It doesn't matter if you thin the forest, or salvage dead trees, or log some areas; everything will burn when conditions are right. And conditions are becoming more fire-prone as the climate changes. As fires become more frequent, and probably larger, much of the mature forest stands will be lost, even in Alpine areas. Animals that require these habitats — forest carnivores, elk for security, moose, squirrels, goshawks, great gray owls, bears, etc. — will all lose significant habitat and see population declines. We haven't mentioned bird life and, in particular, raptors. Describe for us their prospects over the next three decades. As I mentioned before, species that can benefit from human-caused changes in climate and landcover will do well in the next 30 years. Unfortunately, not many raptors fit into that category; they primarily need native habitats like grasslands or forests, and feed on native prey. Raptorlike birds like the corvids may adapt well and we'll see more magpies, crows, and gray jays. There may be some surprises too; great horned owls may increasingly feed on cats, skunks, and squirrels and nest more frequently in suburbs and towns. When I was a kid there were no turkey vultures in Jackson Hole; now there are. I think they'll continue to increase and expand their range. Riparian songbirds will decline along with their habitat. .Realistically, and perhaps idealistically, what are the most important things that can be done to preserve and even grow Montana's extant wildlife? We need to live more simply to mitigate the effects we have on the environment. We also need to vote, and vote intelligently. We do not have to choose between jobs and the environment; we need to choose jobs that respect and support the environment. And we need to carefully plan our activities and developments to maintain the ecosystems that we still have. Intact wild ecosystems will be the key to minimizing the damage of climate change. w w w. d i s t i n c t ly mo nt a na .co m 17