The natural history of fire in Grand Canyon National Park

Natural fires in the area of Grand Canyon National Park were suppressed once settlers arrived in the late 1800's. Fire suppression has resulted in changes in the ponderosa pine/pinyon/juniper ecological community on the south rim and in turn has affected the resident mammals. In the past two decades, land managers in northern Arizona, including the National Park Service, have reintroduced fire as a part of ecological restoration to Grand Canyon National Park and the Greater Grand Canyon Ecosystem. Limited research has been conducted in the park to study the effects of fire suppression and ecological restoration.; This doctoral dissertation enhances the knowledge of fire effects in Grand Canyon National Park through a series of studies that are presented in journalistic format. Unique work utilizing space for time in synchronic studies of small mammals in a fire-adapted ecosystem is the core of the work. Different study sites of known dates of last burn were compared through captured mammal diversity and abundance as well as vegetation transect analysis. Some trends were noted but the suppression of fire in all sites beyond the natural fire regimen made each overgrown area comparable. An extensive literature review of fire suppression and fire effects of the region is included.; In addition, an educational component was added to this body of work. A 5000-person survey of visitors to Grand Canyon National Park was completed with a 92% response rate. Statistical analysis of responses to survey questions based on demographics of respondents have identified target groups of visitors that could benefit from further educational information on the role fire plays in ecological restoration. Ecological restoration is conducted through the park's prescribed fire program. Grand Canyon National Park's program was compared to three others and found to be developing in a positive direction but is still incomplete.; An attached appendix supplements specific chapters. The appendix also includes a report of the first study of ectoparasites of captured mammals in Grand Canyon and their impact as vectors of diseases to the over 4 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park each year. It also includes a published article on fire ecology (Muleady-Mecham, Wilcoxson Ueckert, Lindauer 2002) that demonstrates a model for educating the public, specifically biology teachers at the high school, community college, and university levels.