Restoring Pine Barrens Habitat: Optimizing Soil Conditions with Prescribed Fire

Abstract

Scattered throughout the Midwest and elsewhere in North America, pine barrens communities occur on sandy, infertile soils and are characterized by low tree density and an understory of grasses and other fire-dependent species. These communities are highly important as refugia for many threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, including sharp-tailed grouse and several butterflies. Northern Research Station scientists are studying soils in natural, remnant barrens and linking fire-behavior data to soils and vegetation data. In doing so, they are helping land managers understand how to optimize burn conditions to meet ecological restoration goals.

Citation

USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2020. Restoring Pine Barrens Habitat: Optimizing Soil Conditions with Prescribed Fire. Rooted in Research. Issue 3, December 2020. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2p.