Fire

Fire is an essential disturbance that maintains the species composition and habitat structure of many vegetation communities in Florida. Without frequent fire (every 2 to 3 years) the Kissimmee Prairie would change into pine flatwoods with oaks through a process known as succession. Rather than acting as a destructive force, fire plays an essential role in the ecological maintenance of prairie. See how the landscape recovers from fire Here.

To understand the role fire plays in ecological maintenance we must perform a thought experiment. Cast your gaze out onto the prairie in the picture below and consider any of the plants you see. As fire rolls across the prairie these plants will, of course, be consumed by the flames. Or will they? When you look at a plant you have to remember that more than half of the plant’s biomass is actually below ground, protected from fire.

Looking at this same picture of healthy prairie, imagine what it would look like if fire were excluded from the landscape. The prairie would undergo what we call a change in species composition. The plant species that comprise the prairie would change - more pines trees and hardwoods would move in.

Healthy prairie with a natural fire regime. Notice the very short palmetto plants.

As fire is withheld as in this neighboring property, notice how the palmetto plants get too big and oak trees (hardwoods) begin to invade the landscape. Fire will fix this.

As fire is further withheld, notice how the landscape begins to look too “brushy” as shrubs such as wax myrtle move in. This is the change in species composition. Wax myrtle is capable of a process called nitrogen fixation that adds a normally rare and limiting nutrient called nitrogen to the soil, further changing species composition. Fire won’t fix this.

Finally the landscape becomes more and more crowded looking. To be restored this property needs to be roller chopped and burned.

With careful management, including application of prescribed fire, we can keep the prairie looking like this.

Next page Here.