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Re: in favor of fall burns, microbes and megafauna

Very good comments, Carl. 
See also Weber, Scott, 1999. "Designing Seed Mixes for Prairie
Restorations: Revisiting the Formula." Ecological Restoration: Vol. 17 #4,
Winter 1999, pp. 196-201. 
He says much the same thing.

Bob Wernerehl,  Southwest Wisconsin

At 09:32 PM 05/09/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>There seems to be considerable evidence that native Americans did burn
>forests and prairies in the fall, however, burning in the fall reduces the
>potential of winter cover for a host of species which live in grasslands and
>prevents the retention of snow which in many cases is important for the
>filling of prairie potholes.  
>
>We have been burning in early spring for the past 20 plus years and find
>that fire only enhances what you have planted.  If your planting contains
>good diversity, it is enhanced, if it contains few forbs and lots of grass,
>the grass is favored.  It appears to me that there could be a slight shift
>toward warm season grasses from very late spring burns, but very little
>effect from early spring burns.  We have plantings that have been burned for
>10 consecutive years and the forbs are not only holding their own, but each
>specimen is increasing in size.  What is missing in most reconstructions or
>restorations is diversity and a really good matrix of species which give the
>community dynamic properties.
>
>Carl Kurtz
>
>Central Iowa
>
>----------
>>From: Frank Hassler <FIshMan473@mac.com>
>>To: prairie@mallorn.com
>>Subject: in favor of fall burns, microbes and megafauna
>>Date: Fri, Jan 1, 1904, 12:43 AM
>>
>
>>I admit that I am a relative amateur at this, but it is my opinion that
>>since prairie fires naturally occurred in late summer and fall, and
>>therefore the native plants are adapted best to burning at this time,
>>this is when we should burn.  Regardless of the short term effects, we
>>need to reconstruct as best as possible the pre-settlement conditions. 
>>Fall burns may not have as dramatic a negative effect on brome or
>>whatever other eurasian weeds, but over the long term I would think that
>>the positive effects on the native flora and fauna would give the
>>prairie the advantage.  I think burning any other time then fall or late
>>summer is gardening, not restoration.
>>
>>It is however apparent that aggressive burning favors native grasses
>>over forbs.  What was it that naturally balanced this out, giving us the
>>abundance and diversity of forbs we believe existed in pre-settlement
>>prairies?  So many restorations are grass dominated, this often has to
>>do with the ratio grass to forb seeds planted, but it seems apparent
>>that in most cases, something is missing.  Could it be that microbes or
>>megafauna are the missing ingredient?  We know that most soils we try to
>>restore prairies in has become relatively sterile due to intensive
>>agriculture, are soil microorganisms the missing ingredient to forb
>>success?  Or is it the conspicuously missing large animals?  Did bison
>>and elk graze the prairie into a level playing field?  Did turkeys,
>>prairie chickens, passenger pigeons, other grassland birds and rodents
>>also act in ways favoring forbs?  What exactly are we missing?
>>
>>regards,
>>Frank "FishMan" Hassler
>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>>"...many business leaders and U.S. oil companies fear the 
>>costs of stopping the earth from heating up could have 
>>equally damaging effects on economic growth and jobs."
>>-- ABCNews.com
>>
>>GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!  (greedy bastards)
>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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