We are assesing the effects of fire frequency on habitat quality in three Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) dominated by Cross Timbers forests to provide new knowledge about the interrelationships among wildlife, fire, and vegetation. This information is critical to land managers and policy makers who need to develop management strategies and tools required to produce healthy and sustainable ecosystems under growing pressures from urban and suburban expansion, fragmentation, invasive species, and other threats to forest communities. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) manages 18 WMAs where Cross Timbers forests are a significant component of the landscape so insight from this study will enhance their management for wildlife and diversity values.
