How Fire Can Help Pollinator Restoration

Many of us are probably aware that prescribed burning has been increasingly implemented as a management strategy in the American West following years of fire suppression. Controlled low- to mixed-severity fires decrease the risk of destructive wildfires by reducing stand and canopy density and eliminating ground fuels. But how does prescribed burning affect the animals, big and small, that live in and rely on food sources within those forests? That’s what I will be exploring this month!

 

The loss of pollinator habitat has been a concern for years as it has been increasingly proven that pollinators are essential contributors to a healthy environment. Nearly 90% of wild plants are dependent on insects, primarily native bees species. Native pollinators are limited by one major factor - habitat loss.

When we talk about habitat loss for wildlife including pollinators, we often discuss and think about development and land-use change. However, the dense forest canopies that persisted for much of the 20th century have had repercussions for native pollinator habitat too. These conditions create too much shade - limiting the growth of understory shrubs and wildflowers which reduces habitat and resources (aka food) for native pollinators. However, when forests experience regular disturbances such as fire, the canopy density is reduced and understory productivity increases.

A bumblebee enjoying a native Hyssop

This study from Colorado measured how fire impacts native bee populations 1-year and 3-years post fire event. They found that the population of understory flowering plants was about 76% higher in burned sites compared to un-burned sites, which had a positive correlation with bee presence and diversity. However, they observed a decrease in plant and pollinator species richness by the third year post fire. This indicates that forest ecosystems that experience frequent burns experience rapid short-term general benefits for pollinators. 

Continuing to implement frequent prescribed burns will not only maintain a balanced forest structure, but also promote pollinator habitat connectivity and provide more foraging opportunities for pollinators.

If you want to take action in your own backyard, don’t worry, there are far easier ways to support pollinators. Check out these resources to learn more about actions that you can take:

Bitterroot Water Partnership Plant Packs

Missoula County Pollinator Conservation Helpful Resources

Missoula Conservation District Pollinator Initiative