USGS and FWS Working Together To Assess the Ecological Effects of Burning

While prescribed burning is widely used for habitat management, there are many unanswered questions about the ecological effects of fire. Based on a request from the USFWS Region 2 Office, scientists at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center, in collaboration with Southeast Missouri State and Louisiana State University, have established a program to assess the ecological effects of burning on select national wildlife refuges in Region 2. The primary issues being addressed in this study are (1) whether secretive birds and other bird species of special concern may be adversely affected by prescribed burning and whether adverse effects can be avoided, (2) how prescribed fire can be used most effectively to achieve habitat management objectives, (3) whether burning practices may have any additional unintended consequences such as the promotion of unwanted invasive species, and (4) how the effectiveness of prescribed burning programs might best be monitored over the long term. The initial phase of this work is being conducted at the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Complex in coastal Texas, with plans to incorporate additional refuges into the program over time.

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