The effects of fire on the community composition, diversity and abundance of Carabidae in an Artemisia filifolia Torr. habitat

A base line survey of arthropods was initiated in June 2007 at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, a 235,896 acre military training site near Trinidad, CO. As part of that study, the Artemisia filifolia Torr. habitats were selected to determine the effects of burning in the habitat. One site was burned in the winters of 2007 and 2008. The other site was burned only in the winter of 2006. We used pitfall traps in both sites in the summers of 2007-2009 to collect Carabidae. Community composition, biodiversity and abundance of each Carabid species were calculated and compared using a student’s T-test. Community composition was different between times since burn, but not significantly different for areas burned at similar time intervals. Diversity and abundance was highest in summers closer to a burn. Frequent burning of Artemisia filifolia Torr. habitat is beneficial to the Carabid community and maintains high diversity in this habitat.