Importance of Controlled Burning for Prairie Restoration

A graduate of the environmental, population, and organism biology program at the University of Colorado - Boulder, Steven Armus has over 15 years of experience in reviving natural areas through a variety of measures. In his role as a prairie restoration consultant, Steven Armus partners with the Department of Natural Resources to eradicate invasive species. One of the most efficient ways in doing so is through controlled fires.

Despite being a major concern in uncontrolled instances, the use of fire in a controlled setting can actually benefit plant and animal diversity. Various ecosystems require periodic controlled burns to eliminate invasive plant species and weeds that might be out-competing native flowers and grasses, in turn reducing plant diversity. It's the job of prairie restoration professionals to inspect sites, acquire the appropriate permits, and implement a fiscally responsive burn plan.

Not only does prescribed burning allow natural plant species to thrive, but it also can reduce the risk for wildfires. Burns can be prescribed at any point from mid-October until mid-April, although it's recommended to complete woodland and wetland burns by April 1. Ideal conditions for a prescribed burn include a temperature between 28 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a humidity between 30 percent and 65 percent, and a wind speed between 5 miles and 20 miles per hour. Other factors such as chance of precipitation, site fuel composition, and air quality index are also considered.

American Landscapes - Prairies

A physician and entrepreneur, Dr. Steven Armus owns and operates Native Prairie Restoration, a company dedicated to restoring natural prairie environments on behalf of its clients. In fact, as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Steven Armus studied biology with an emphasis on native habitat preservation.

Emily Dickinson once wrote:

“To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.”

This is not far from the truth, as prairie ecosystems are sustained in part by the interaction between native prairie flowers and grasses and important pollinators, like bees and birds. Prairies are characterized by vast planes of grassland dotted by the occasional tree. They’re also defined by climate features such as moderate rainfall and temperatures.

Unfortunately, America’s prairie landscapes are threatened. Once, central North America was dominated by prairies, but today only 5 percent of the continent’s original prairies survive. Prairie loss is largely a result of habitat destruction, competition from invasive species, and climate change.

There are myriad ways Americans can get involved in saving what remains of the country’s prairies. For instance, they can support efforts to prevent soil erosion and endorse measures to restore wetlands, which contribute beneficially to grassland ecologies.