Top predators respond to post-fire logging: a trait-based approach

Abstract

Complete wood extraction is a widespread salvage logging practice after wildfire, implemented to obtain economical benefit and to reduce the risk of pest outbreaks. Such intense logging can strongly affect the ecosystem natural succession. In response, new sustainable approaches have been proposed to minimize impacts while still providing economical returns. In this study, we conducted a seven-year experiment to analyse the effects of different intensities of post-fire logging on vegetation structure and ground-level spider communities. We applied generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to test the effects of treatments and years since fire on vegetation structure, and spider functional traits. The most pronounced differences across logging treatments were observed in vegetation recovery, with sustainable practices promoting intermediate levels of regeneration between no intervention and conventional logging. Intense conventional logging tended to amplify the effects of fire on spider functional traits, whereas more sustainable logging practices facilitated a recovery trajectory more closely aligned with non-intervention. Measures such as the construction of woody piles proved particularly important during the early post-fire years, providing refuges that supported the initial recovery of spider communities. Overall, our findings highlight the effectiveness of sustainable techniques in balancing the economic benefits of logging with the need to minimize environmental impacts.