Effects of Post-Fire Silvicultural Practices on Medium and Large-Sized Mammal Communities in Mediterranean Forests

Wildfire is a dominant ecological force in Mediterranean pine forests, and post-fire silvicultural practices can substantially alter their recovery trajectories. In this study, we examined how natural regeneration and artificial plantations influence the composition, structure, and functional roles of medium and large-sized mammal communities in burned Pinus brutia forests of southwestern Türkiye. Camera trap data were combined with linear mixed-effects models, functional diversity metrics, and indicator species analysis to assess community responses. Mammalian assemblages showed marked shifts across treatments: generalist carnivores such as Vulpes vulpes and Canis aureus dominated burned areas, whereas higher-trophic specialists like Caracal caracal were restricted to unburned forests. Functional richness was consistently higher in unburned stands, while artificial plantations reduced both richness and evenness. Natural regeneration partly mitigated these declines by sustaining more balanced community structures. Indicator species analysis confirmed these patterns, with Lepus europaeus strongly associated with burned sites and C. caracal with unburned forests. Overall, findings demonstrate that post-fire silvicultural practices strongly shape mammalian community assembly and functional diversity. Natural regeneration preserves structural heterogeneity and supports functionally diverse assemblages, whereas artificial plantations promote homogenization. Effective restoration strategies should therefore integrate wildlife responses with vegetation recovery to strengthen ecosystem resilience and maintain the ecological roles of mammals.