Effects of fire on golden eagle territory occupancy and reproductive success

We examined effects of fire on golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) territory o ccupancy and reproductive success in southwestern Idaho because wildfires s ince 1980 have resulted in large-scale losses of shrub habitat in the Snake River Plain. Success (percentage of pairs that raised young) at burned ter ritories declined after major fires (P = 0.004). Pairs in burned areas that could expand into adjacent vacant territories were as successful as pairs in un,urned territories and more successful than pairs in burned territorie s that could not expand. Success at extensively burned territories was lowe st 4-6 years after burning but increased 4-5 years later The incidence and extent of fires did not help predict territories that would have low occupa ncy and success rates in postburn) ears. The presence of a vacant neighbori ng territory and the amount of agriculture and proportion of shrubs within 3 km of die nesting centroid Lest predicted probability of territory occupa ncy. Nesting success during preburn years best predicted the probability of a territory being successful in postburn years. Burned territories with hi gh success rates during preburn years continued to have high success rates during postburn years, and those with low success in preburn years continue d to be less successful after burning. In areas where much shrub habitat ha s been lost to fire, management for golden eagles should include active fir e suppression and rehabilitation of burned areas.