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Four conditions are necessary for fire to assume ecological importance: 1) an accumulation of organic matter, i.e. fuel either herbaceous or woody, sufficient enough to burn; 2) dry weather conditions to render the material combustible; 3) a landscape conducive to the spread of fire; and 4) a source of ignition. The only two important sources of ignition are humans and lightning. Historically, Native Americans had a much greater role in establishing fire on the landscape than did lightning. The purpose of using prescribed fire (controlled fire) is to reestablish one of the three key ecosystem drivers on the landscape. The other two drivers are herbivory (of which we have control) and climate (no control). One goal of all management plans should be to restore ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis and decomposition. These processes facilitate energy flow, nutrient cycling, water cycling and other processes. Research has shown that there is no substitute for fire in restoring ecosystems.
Cataloging Information
- air temperature
- fire frequency
- fire season
- fuel moisture
- relative humidity
- smoke management
- winds