Prescribed Burning as a Habitat Management Tool

Transcription

1 Prescribed Burning as a Habitat Management Tool John Hughes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Canadian, Texas

2 A Tough Sell in Roberts County! The 2006 wildfires created a great deal of hardship. But, range resources have recovered well. Without fire, we would not have grasslands; it is an essential management tool. The keys to the safe use of prescribed fire are prior planning, proper timing, and flexibility.

3 The Historic Role of Fire in the Southern Great Plains Fire return interval (frequency) was ~ 8 years. Fires were started by lightning and set intentionally by Native Americans. Brush species were reduced by periodic fire. Juniper species Mesquite Shinnery oak Sand sagebrush Sa d sageb us Fire heavily influenced grazing patterns by bison and other native herbivores.

4 Effects of Long-Term (late 1800s to present) )Fire Suppression Brush species have increased both in overall coverage and average height. Carrying capacity for livestock and some species of wildlife has been decreased. Health and human safety has increased(?) Range managers have become more reliant on technology such as herbicides and machinery.

5 There is No Substitute for Fire! Fire removes old, decadent growth and promotes nutrient cycling. Increases palatability and availability of certain desirable plant species. Increases plant species diversity. Suppresses brush species. Can reduce insects and parasites in the short term. Judicious use can reduce the likelihood of future catastrophic fires.

6 Fire Effects on Selected Plants Little bluestem ( red grass ) fire increases forage production and reduces wolfy growth. Big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass strongly favored by spring fires. Blue grama late winter and early spring fires increase forage production and cover. Buffalograss fire effects are largely neutral. Pricklypear strongly reduced by fire. Sand sagebrush and shinnery oak fire top-kills these species, but they resprout rapidly.

7 Gray County - May 2005

8 Gray County - March 2006

9 Gray County - September 2007

10 Wheeler County March 2008

11 Wheeler County July 2008

12 Integrating Fire into Existing Range Management Activities i i Fire can be used as a clean-up following mechanical or herbicidal brush control. Redberry juniper Mesquite Saltcedar Fire can be used to increase plant diversity in CRP, enhancing its value for livestock grazing and wildlife. Fire can be an integral part of a planned grazing system that incorporates rest periods.

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14 1st Year - Patch Burn Burn

15 1st Year - Greenup

16 1st Year - Grazing Distribution

17 Burn Minimal Thatch 2nd Year - Patch Burn

18 Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs 2nd Year - Grazing Distribution

19 Minimal Thatch Grass & Forb Residue Burn 3rd Year - Patch Burn

20 Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs 3rd Year - Grazing Distribution

21 Grass & Forb Residue Burn Minimal Thatch 4th Year - Patch Rotation Established

22 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Dormant Season Minimal Thatch

23 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Heavily Grazed Dormant Season Minimal Thatch Growing Season Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs

24 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Heavily Grazed Burn Minimal Thatchh Dormant Season Minimal Thatch Growing Season Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Dormant Season Grass & Forb Residue

25 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Heavily Grazed Burn Minimal Thatchh Dormant Season Minimal Thatch Growing Season Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Dormant Season Grass & Forb Residue Heavily Grazed Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Growing Season Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed -

26 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Heavily Grazed Burn Minimal Thatchh Dormant Season Minimal Thatch Growing Season Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Dormant Season Grass & Forb Residue Minimali Thatch Grass & Forb Residue Heavily Grazed Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Dormant Season Burn Growing Season Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed -

27 Patch Burning/Grazing - Shifting Mosaic Rotational Grazing Without Cross-Fencing Grass & Forb Residue Burn Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Heavily Grazed Burn Minimal Thatchh Dormant Season Minimal Thatch Growing Season Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Dormant Season Grass & Forb Residue Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed - Minimali Thatch Grass & Forb Residue Heavily Grazed Recovering Grass & Abundant Forbs Growing Season Heavily Grazed Dormant Season Burn Growing Season Recovered Grass - Lightly Grazed -

28 Nesting in Area of Greatest Thatch

29 After Hatching, Hens Move Chicks to...

30 Areas of High Forb Density

31 The Pros and Cons of Fire Increases forage Steep learning curve palatability and Landowner liability availability concerns Suppresses brush Safety concerns Can be used to favor Smoke management desirable plants Good follow-up for other brush control practices Increases habitat diversity for wildlife Relatively low cost Resistance from neighbors and some resource agencies Not yet a common land management practice in Relatively low cost the Texas panhandle

32 Getting Started Identification of goals need to be definable and realistic; wildlife, livestock, or both? Development of a burn plan NRCS, TAE, or private contractors Cost-share assistance is available from NRCS, TPWD, and FWS Resources needed: People! Pumper trucks ATVs Drip torches Hand tools Two-way radios Weather monitoring kits Protective gear

33 Prescribed Burning Resources Texas Panhandle Prescribed Burning Association ( Llano Fire Management, Inc. ( 806/ ) Local NRCS, TPWD, and FWS offices North Rolling Plains RC&D plant identification books Fire Effects Information System (