FIRE ECOLOGY STUDIES

Fire is a fundamental process in southern prairie rangeland ecosystems.  We are attempting to better understand the utility of fire as a management tool on rangelands that have been encroached by woody plants.  Studies include determining effects of weather conditions on fire behavior, effects of repeated and seasonal fires on woody plants such as mesquite and juniper, pricklypear cactus, grasses such as sideoats grama, Texas wintergrass, and buffalograss, and soil carbon and nitrogen.  We are also developing management criteria for using rotational grazing systems to facilitate the use of prescribed fire to suppress brush. Access the links below for all fire ecology papers.

Fire Behavior  Datalogger in a fire-proof box for fire temperature measurement (left) and measuring flame height with metered poles (right).

Fire seasonality and frequency effects.  Summer fire (left) and applying fire (right).

Mesquite seed and seedling response to fire.  Images show mesquite beans on buffalograss prior to (left) and immediately after a low-intensity fire.

Shrub Ecology Home      Fire Ecology Papers