Fire, whether set or caused by lightning, has been a part of prairie ecosystems for thousands of years. Fire provides one or more of the following benefits:
- removes dead vegetation
- releases nutrients to enrich the soil
- reduces invader plants
- encourages native species
- creates habitats attractive to wildlife
Grasslands are burned primarily to alter vegetation and increase biological productivity and diversity or to accomplish specific goals. The goals may be broad (prairie restoration and maintenance) or narrow (management for endangered or rare species or reduction of woody plants).
Where native prairie is not a major component of the grassland, nearly all prescribed fires are used to reduce old plant growth, to control weeds, or to improve height and density of plants. This results in improved nesting cover for waterfowl, and some migratory and resident bird species. Where native prairie is a major part of a grassland, the primary reasons for burning are to restore, improve, or enhance prairie habitat for wildlife. Occasionally, fire is used for very specific reasons such as reduction of Kentucky bluegrass or other undesirable, exotic cool season grasses, control of undesirable shrubs or trees, or to increase the number of plant species. The Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a prescribed fire website at http://fire.fws.gov/.
