Shrnutí

Popis

The proposed project contributes to aspects of all three published Task Statements in AFP 20033. It addresses local scientific knowledge gaps that are significant to fire management program implementation in coastal marshes of the southeastern United States through an administrative study. Modern fire management continues to employ only dormantseason burns in these habitats, in part due to concerns about potential negative effects on wildlife, especially seaside sparrows. In recent years, land managers and scientists have noted the need for research on shifting season of burn in coastal marshes. Study sites will be in the southeastern U.S. The results of the research are expected to increase understanding of the ecology of more than 2,500 miles of coastline from Texas to the Carolinas. The project will also provide a template for research and management efforts in coastal habitats of other regions of the country. The study will examine the initial effects of shifting from dormant to growingseason prescribed fires. Targets for evaluation include fire behavior, fuel load, and fuel reduction; vegetation structure and composition; relative use by Scotts seaside sparrow and other secretive marsh bird species; and effects on potential food sources arthropods and seeds. The fires and effects on vegetation will be measured using techniques based on the NFS Fire Monitoring Handbook and the draft FWS Fuel and Fire Effects Monitoring Guide. Habitat use by Scotts seaside sparrow will be documented using censuses of singing males. Arthropods will be sampled using Dvac suction collection and sticky traps. The data collected during this study, will be used to make recommendations for future fire management of coastal marshes and associated bird species of special conservation concern. The proposed research will expand our knowledge of the effects of fire and greatly enhance both fuel reduction and conservation in southeastern coastal salt marshes.