Northern Great Plains, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2007

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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 Northern Great Plains Fire Ecology program measured 85 plots in 8 National Park units. Fire Management conducted 8 prescribed fires in 5 National Park units in calendar year 2007. The program had significant staff turnover with 4 new seasonal monitors hired to fill the crew this season. We did have the opportunity to detail Fire Ecology veteran Mike Bynum from the Inventory and Monitoring program to assist with plant identification and plot measurement. 2007 proved to be the most active year for fire suppression activities in program history. Crew members served 81 separate days in various roles on 9 wildfires between the months of May and September. We have worked with the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Program to develop a plot sampling protocol to suit the needs of both programs. This season we installed NGP plots at Devils Tower, Knife River, and Scottsbluff. Cody Wienk presented an update on restoration projects at Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower to the Annual Black Hills Botanists and Ecologists Workshop in Rapid City, South Dakota. Cody Wienk and andy thorstenson presented findings at the George Wright Society Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fire Effects Plot Workload 2007 The number of plot measurements in the Northern Great Plains was similar to previous years. One of the biggest issues for the program this year was the use of four distinct protocols for measuring plots. We used the Fire Monitoring Handbook (FMH) protocols for grassland and forest areas for previously installed plots. We used the collaboratively developed Northern Great Plains (NGP) style plot for new plot installation in grassland and forest areas. Keeping up with different sampling protocols was a challenge for our new staff members. The Fire Ecology program also provided interagency support to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for their Land Management Planning process. These site assessments occurred on several sites near National Parks or on sites with similar ecological characteristics. This project was funded through 2008 and we will continue to visit BLM sites next year.

Northern Great Plains, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2007

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