Prescribed Burns
Prescribed burning is a cost-effective land management practice that allows Wisconsin landowners to enhance environmental health while benefiting the agriculture and forestry sectors. This sustainable approach fosters resilient landscapes and promotes ecological balance across the region.
Benefits of Prescribed Burning
Promoting Native Vegetation
Prescribed burns replicate the natural fire processes that have been a part of Wisconsin’s ecosystem long before European settlement. Wisconsin's prairies, wetlands, oak savannas, and oak woodlands evolved and flourished due to fire. Many prairie grasses, forbs, and trees have adapted to rely on fire for regeneration. Oak trees, purple milkweed, and big bluestem are just a few examples of the hundreds of plant species that thrive in fire-prone environments. In fact, certain species of oaks and pines have seeds that require the heat from fire to break open their hard shells or cones, enabling them to germinate.
Controlling Invasive Species
Prescribed burning is an effective management tool for controlling invasive species. Fire reduces the density of invasive plants, giving less competitive native species a better chance to thrive. Some invasives, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle, are particularly vulnerable to fire, making prescribed burns an effective method for hindering their growth or eliminating them altogether.
Improve Wildlife Habitat
Fire plays a crucial role in shaping diverse ecosystems, supporting vegetation types ranging from grasslands to forests. This variety of habitats enhances biodiversity by fostering a wider range of wildlife and insect species. Additionally, the increase in native plant varieties provides essential food sources and shelter.
Grassland birds benefit significantly from the improved nesting and foraging conditions created by prescribed burns. The resulting boost in wildflower and plant diversity attracts a greater variety of insects and invertebrates. Moreover, by clearing ground litter and accumulated dead vegetation, prescribed burns create more navigable environments for upland game and waterfowl, allowing them to move, forage, and evade predators more effectively.
Nutrient Cycling
Fire consumes organic matter, releasing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients become concentrated in the ash, which then acts as a natural fertilizer. Additionally, ash can alter soil pH, enhancing nutrient availability and making it easier for plants to absorb what they need.
The nutrient boost provided by ash after a fire stimulates plant growth and development, promoting a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
Supporting Open Habitats
Prescribed burning decreases vegetation which can allow plant growth that would otherwise be crowded out by more competitive or faster growing species.
Fire also opens pockets of plant material to increase soil to seed contact and helps to increase water infiltration and ground water quality.