Abstract
The oak dominated forests in the Ozarks of southern Missouri evolved under the influence of fire for thousands of years. However, fire exclusion and timber harvests have changed historical fuel loads and modified vegetative structure. The resurgent interest in restoration of fire dependent ecosystems in conjunction with the needs of resource managers to control fuel loads and affect the incidence and severity of wildfire suggests that the use of prescribed fire as a silvicultural tool will continue to increase above current levels. In order to develop the predictive models necessary to safely manage this tool, a replicated study was initiated in 2001. The rationale for this research and results from the pretreatment vegetation survey are presented.
Parent Publication
Citation
Loewenstein, Edward F.; Grabner, Keith W.; Hartman, George W.; McMurry, Erin R. 2003. Integrating fuel and forest management: developing prescriptions for the Central Hardwood Region. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 101-104
