Fig. 3

Projected response to fire. To contextualize the role of fire size in conservation in the southeastern US, we created a conceptual diagram depicting how species and ecological interactions may respond to fires of varying sizes. Optimal burn size is contingent upon the projected response of individual species, target populations, or ecological interactions of concern. On the left side of the figure, we focus on individuals and present the hypothetical benefit of burns for animals belonging to four species common to forests of the southeastern United States. For Leuconotopicus borealis and Gopherus polyphemus, home-range size determines the projected benefit (DeLotelle et al. 1987; Yager et al. 2007). For Meleagris gallopavo, the average burn compartment size used by managers determines the anticipated benefit (Wann et al. 2020). Evidence of decreased herbivory with distance from edge establishes the expected benefit to Orthoptera spp. (Knight and Holt 2005). On the right side of the figure, we present a hypothetical gradient of interactions (e.g., herbivory, seed dispersal, and pollination) that decreases in strength with distance from the edge of the burn. Evidence of reduced interactions at the center of burns informed our thinking when developing this gradient (Davis and Cantlon 1969; Gross and Werner 1982; Frelich and Lorimer 1991; Romme et al. 1998; Vickery 2002; Turner et al. 2003; Knight and Holt 2005; Brown et al. 2017). Homogeneous burns would likely increase the effect of distance on this gradient in comparison to more heterogeneous burns or those with frequent refugia. M. gallopavo image (https://owips.com/sites/default/files/clipart/turkey-clipart-clipart/151130/turkey-clipart-clipart-wild-turkey-151130-2931421.gif) is the property of owips.com (https://owips.com.cutestat.com/), used in accordance with the web site’s requirements