At 15:50 I heard a number of interval variations, but no mention of the seasonality of the fire frequency. If they're only doing dormant season burns in plots, they are not getting the full picture. They need to have plots that include May to August fires. The state of NJ also needs to start varying their burning season, especially in locations within the state forests that are capable of being burned in growing season. Basically areas with recent dormant season fire and lower fuel loads, but also areas which hosted wildfire, but would be able to burn by either carrying fire, or where fire would not conflict with tree regeneration unless desired. The difference in season is really appearant in areas that have had a wildfire in summer, with a greater response of herbaceous vegetation which is better for quail, as well as other species. You don't need to look further than the SE USA where dormant season burns produce similar galberry shrub layers, but growing season burns greatly reduce shrubs in favor of grasses and forbs when utilized. You also can see a difference in herbaceous plant responses by varying between early and late growing season fire. It is great that NJ has a prescribed fire regime, but it is so limited to only "fuels reduction" that it is still not going to sustain the region ecologically. Of course, large scale wildfires can and do seem to achieve this on some level. The 1:02:50 duff layer is artifact of either too infrequent fire, or only burning in cool winter.
Thanks for the TH-cam.
Thanks Marie! Hope you are well and glad that you enjoy these!
At 15:50 I heard a number of interval variations, but no mention of the seasonality of the fire frequency. If they're only doing dormant season burns in plots, they are not getting the full picture. They need to have plots that include May to August fires. The state of NJ also needs to start varying their burning season, especially in locations within the state forests that are capable of being burned in growing season. Basically areas with recent dormant season fire and lower fuel loads, but also areas which hosted wildfire, but would be able to burn by either carrying fire, or where fire would not conflict with tree regeneration unless desired.
The difference in season is really appearant in areas that have had a wildfire in summer, with a greater response of herbaceous vegetation which is better for quail, as well as other species. You don't need to look further than the SE USA where dormant season burns produce similar galberry shrub layers, but growing season burns greatly reduce shrubs in favor of grasses and forbs when utilized. You also can see a difference in herbaceous plant responses by varying between early and late growing season fire.
It is great that NJ has a prescribed fire regime, but it is so limited to only "fuels reduction" that it is still not going to sustain the region ecologically. Of course, large scale wildfires can and do seem to achieve this on some level. The 1:02:50 duff layer is artifact of either too infrequent fire, or only burning in cool winter.