Ecosystem Management: An Adaptive Management Approach for Wildfires

Ecosystem Management

Many of the world's ecosystems are both fire prone and fire adapted, and fires are necessary for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems in such environments (Bond and van Wilgen 1996). Fires also threaten infrastructure, livestock, and human life, especially in areas where significant development has taken place within or adjacent to such fire-prone ecosystems. The fire management of such areas is often characterized by both uncertainty and conflict. In fire-prone areas, the conservation of biodiversity and landscapes typically requires the judicious use of fire, often by means of prescribed burning, to maintain ecosystem health (Egler p.12-20).

Although the ecological understanding of the role of fire has advanced significantly over the past few decades, it remains incomplete and thus contentious. In addition, the widespread introduction of fire-adapted alien plants into fire-prone ecosystems has seen them proliferate and spread, resulting in ecosystem degradation and adding a further layer of complexity to fire management. Societal goals seek to reduce the risk of fire to people, assets, and infrastructure. The means to attain these goals through fire prevention and suppression are often in conflict with ecological goals.

Fire and Water Both Shape the Everglades Everglades National Park strives to maintain the biological diversity and natural processes of a landscape shaped by the interaction of fire and water. Using fire as a management tool we accomplish this goal (Meine p.10-15).

Management-Ignited Wildland Fire

Fires started by trained fire management personnel to reduce accumulated plant debris, control exotic plants, maintain habitat for native species and maintain the mosaic of different age classes of plant communities across the landscape. These burns will only be initiated under conditions that allow confinement of the fire to predetermined areas.

Lightning-Ignited Wildland Fire

Fires started by lightning that are managed in remote areas of Everglades National Park. Close monitoring of fire behavior, weather, vegetation, soil moisture, and water levels ensure that these natural ignitions are confined to manageable areas. The year can be divided into 3 general fire seasons based upon seasonal conditions (Williams p.12-19).

Dry Season

Short days with mild temperatures and low to moderate humidity are normal during this period, with minimal rain or water flow into the park. Water flows, soil moistures, and live fuel moisture drop, and the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI) generally continues to raise until the start of the transition season. Lightning is rare, and fires are generally human-caused. Significant fire suppression problems can ...