species in Australia's savannahs show remarkable resilience to fire,
although fires affect abundance, species and family richness (Orgeas and Andersen, 2001).
In the fire-prone Mediterranean region, the current fire regime has
probably contributed to maintaining the bird diversity at the landscape
level in Portugal (Moreira et al., 2001). In Israel, richness of fauna
species in certain areas was the highest two to four years after a fire
followed by a decrease over time (Kutiel, 1997).
Fire can have positive effects on wildlife populations in boreal
forests, where fire is a major natural disturbance mechanism. In North
America, although moose are occasionally trapped and killed by fire,
fire generally enhances moose habitat by creating and maintaining seral
communities, and is considered beneficial to moose populations
(MacCracken and Viereck, 1990). The beneficial effects of fire on its
habitat is estimated to last less than 50 years, with moose density
peaking 20 to 25 years following fire (LeResche, Bishop and Coady,
1974).
Fire has contributed to the reduction in populations of grey wolf (Canis
lupus) in Minnesota, United States, by limiting its prey - including
beaver (Castor canadiensis), moose and deer, fire-dependent species that
require the plant communities that persist following frequent fires
(Kramp, Patton and Brady, 1983).