Spatial Dynamics and Lifespan of Adult Cicadas After Fire and Logging: A Radiotracking Study

Abstract

Recently burnt and logged habitats challenge the persistence of animal populations. Insects like cicadas, which survive belowground during fire and logging, are exposed to hostile conditions due to increased predation and limited resources when they emerge as adults. This study investigates the combined effects of wildfire and post-fire salvage logging on the survival, spatial behavior, and habitat selection of the cicada Lyristes plebejus in Mediterranean pine forests. A total of 63 individuals were captured, tagged, and released across six plots in three disturbance contexts: burnt and logged, burnt and unlogged, and unburnt. Using radio telemetry, we tracked their movements and compared home range size and survival across these contexts. Results show that cicadas in burnt but unlogged areas were more mobile and tended to select areas of lower fire severity compared to those in burnt and logged areas. Salvage logging removed essential fire refuges, increasing exposure to predators. Although no significant differences in total distance covered were found, cicadas in burnt and logged areas displayed lower movement rates, indicating a reduced ability to explore and select suitable habitats. These findings highlight the importance of considering both wildfire and post-fire management practices in conservation. Salvage logging exacerbates the negative effects of fire, emphasizing the need to preserve biological legacies and fire refuges to promote ecosystem resilience. The study suggests that careful forest management is crucial for protecting biodiversity, particularly for species like cicadas that depend on both above and below-ground habitats.

Keywords

fire refuges / Lyristes plebejus / radio-tracking / salvage logging / wildfires

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