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Fire Ecology and Management of Forest Ecosystems in the Western Central Hardwoods and Prairie-Forest Border

Formally Refereed

Abstract

The ecotone between the Great Plains and the Eastern Deciduous Forest region is characterized by transitional grassland-forest ecosystems with a robust history of frequent fire regimes and fire-adapted natural communities. Historically, fires created a mosaic of prairies, savannas, woodlands, and forests juxtaposed by landscape controls. Humans have been strong determinants of fire regimes, causing frequent fires in historical times and an extended period of fire exclusion for nearly the last century. In recent decades, interest has increased in understanding the region’s fire ecology and management. This interest is driven by management objectives to promote and maintain plant and animal diversity, restore ecological processes, and increase ecosystem resilience. Plant species in the region exhibit adaptation to frequent fire regimes and wildlife species are associated with habitats maintained by fire. However, exclusion of fire over the past century has left a long-lasting mark on ecosystems by changing ecosystem structures and compositions and, in some cases, by eliminating fire-adapted natural communities. In the future, the rise of campaigns that promote appropriate fire uses will be contingent upon science, demonstrated management successes, public perspectives, and the broader challenges associated with global changes.

Keywords

Fire regime, Humans, Native plants, Wildlife, Grasslands

Citation

Stambaugh Michael C.; Knapp Benjamin O.; Dey Daniel C. 2021. Fire Ecology and Management of Forest Ecosystems in the Western Central Hardwoods and Prairie-Forest Border. Chapter 5. In: Greenberg C.H., Collins B., eds. Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems. Managing Forest Ecosystems. Springer, Cham. Vol 39: 149-199. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73267-7_5
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/63541