Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2004 [Everglades National Park]

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A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). The Everglades National Park fire monitoring program has completed five years of data collection using Fire Monitoring Handbook protocols. This is an important milestone for fire effects monitoring and fire management at Everglades National Park. Not only does this data set represent a significant program accomplishment, but also the quality of the data serves as a testament to dedicated field staff working in the harshest of conditions. In the fire-frequent system found at Everglades National Park, these data capture numerous fire treatments in most of the systems. At this point, this data set provides scientists and managers an opportunity to assess the efficacy of treatments as well as the monitoring program itself. Also with a programmatic Environmental Assessment in progress as well as significant Fire Management Plan updates, these data provide information with a high level of veracity. Everglades National Park fire effects monitors serve as advisors to the Pine Rockland Working Group, an international, multi-agency effort which has been effective at making recommendations and taking action to protect this imperiled ecosystem. Everglades National Park fire effects personnel have designed photo-monitoring protocols which will be made available for use by working group members in South Florida and the Bahamas. Fire Ecology staff are key members of the Environmental Assessment team in support of our FMP. Because of their familiarity with fire effects and fire as an ecological process, fire ecology staff has guided fire managers through critical elements of the preparation of this document. In addition Fire Effects monitors have reviewed and made extensive comments on the fire management plan update. Beyond the FMP and EA, fire effects personnel are an important asset to fire operations. They serve, as qualified, on most prescribed fires and wildland fires. With the participation of fire ecology staff, operations have enhanced their ecological effectiveness while maintaining a safe fireline environment.

Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2004 [Everglades National Park]

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