Project: Long-term Experimental Study of Fire Regimes in South Florida Pinelands

Web Sites: http://sofia.usgs.gov/projects/fire/

Location: Southwest Florida / Big Cypress

Principal Investigator: James R. Snyder, Research Biologist, jim_snyder@usgs.gov, (941)695-2000x321

Project Personnel: Holly A. Belles, Ecologist, holly_belles@usgs.gov, (941)695-200x334

Other Supporting Organizations: National Park Service, Big Cypress National Preserve

Associated Projects: None

Overview & Status: South Florida slash pine forests represent one of the region's most fire-dependent and imperiled ecosystems. The main objective of this study is to establish the baseline conditions and begin the experimental treatments for a long-term study of season and frequency of burning in South Florida pinelands. The long-term study will document the ecological effects of a wide range of potential fire management strategies, providing detailed data on vegetation responses to different burning regimes. By spring 2000 all 18 of the initial experimental prescribed burns will have been completed and the second cycle of burns of the 3-year treatments will have begun. Results to date do not support the argument that all prescribed burning should be done during the lightning-fire season.

Needs & Products: The results of this research will be used by Department of Interior land managers to refine prescribed burning programs on Interior lands in South Florida.

Application to Everglades Restoration: While restoring the natural fire regime is frequently posed as a restoration goal, a more realistic goal is to use prescribed fire to restore and maintain the desired species composition and structure.