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Can targeted browsing be a useful surrogate for prescribed burning?

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The limitations on prescribed burning are numerous, but fire's ecological role in shaping the health and integrity of our forests is incredibly important. Browsers, such as domesticated goats, prefer to consume woody species. People can use goats and other browsers to help manage ecological communities that are degraded by nonnative invasive shrubs and vines or located in the wildland– urban interface or where smoke impacts are considerable. Furthermore, browsers could supplement prescribed burning by treating forest stands in "off years" or outside of typical burn windows.

Keywords

woodlands, disturbance, prescibed fire, oaks, ground flora, fuels

Citation

Beebe, Gina; Pile, Lauren S.; Stambaugh, Michael; Davidson, Brian; Dey, Daniel C. 2021. Can targeted browsing be a useful surrogate for prescribed burning? Fire Management Today. 79(1): 12-13.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/62083