Southern Appalachian Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2005
Author unknown. Southern Appalachian Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2005
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). As the earth took another loop around the great fire ball in the sky, the Southern Appalachians Fire Effects Team took another loop around the southeast. Plot Work We started monitoring at Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (6 forest plots total) and Big South Fork National River Recreation Area (4 brush plots and 5 forest plots total). We continued monitoring Congaree Swamp National Park (8 forest plots total), Kings Mountain National Military Park (25 forest plots total) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (lots of plots). Prescribed Burns We assisted the Great Smoky Mountains and Cumberland Gap Fire Use Module with prescribed burns at Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (two burn units), Big South Fork River and Recreation Area (two burn units), Kings Mountain National Military Park (four burn units), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (one burn unit: 2000 acres!) and Mammoth Cave National Park (one burn unit). Monitoring Plans Monitoring Plans were written for Kings Mountain National Military Park and Congaree Swamp National Park. Both are currently in revision. A large portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park monitoring plan has been completed. Details Nunally Benzing spent three weeks working with Yosemite fire use module, Wylie Paxton spent two weeks on a newly wed detail, Virginia McDaniel went on twin nephew detail and Rob Klein had a new daughter detail. Presentations We presented at two conferences: Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB) and Fire in Eastern Oak Forests.