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ABSTRACT

Fire played a historical role in maintaining a diverse marsh habitat. However, due to fire suppression and fragmentation of the original of expanse of prairie and wetlands, many marshes have declined in biodiversity and have become choked with cattail.

Current management strategies mostly deal with short term goals. Many will not use fire due to sometimes poor responses the year after fire. It took thousands of years to create what we have today, and we must focus on long term objectives that will benefit the entire ecosystem. Many want a "quick fix" and one that they will not have to repeat. However, we must understand that ecosystems do not function this way. It was the continual disturbance of marshes that kept them healthy and productive.

Currently, we are researching several aspects of fire in cattail marshes. Some of these include:

1. Comparing cattail and wildlife responses to spring and fall burns.
2. Determine if cold weather burning can be accomplished through the use of gelled fuel in terratorches. This may allow us to burn at times when upland areas will not burn, thus decreasing risk and the number of personnel needed to conduct the burn.
3. Identify situations when cattail roots and tubers can be consumed and attempt to predict stem burndown. Predicting stem burndown will be helpful in areas that can be flooded in order to increase the control of cattail.
4. Determine the short and long term effects of fire and heat pulses on soil and biological systems.