Publications
Wildfire Severity to Valued Resources Mitigated by Prescribed Fire in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Prescribed fire significantly reduces wildfire severity, particularly within two years post-treatment, with reductions of up to 88% observed. This study, focusing on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, demonstrates that frequent prescribed fire (every one to two years) effectively mitigates damage to highly valued resources and assets (HVRAs), including vegetation classes like Introduced Upland Vegetation-Shrub, Eastern Floodplain Forests, and Longleaf Pine Woodland, as well as ecologically important red-cockaded woodpecker nesting sites. The research quantified wildfire severity using the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) index and employed a generalized additive model (GAM) to analyze data from the 2017 West Mims wildfire event, comparing prescribed-fire treated and untreated areas.
Georgia's Forests, 2019
Georgia's forests, particularly those within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, exhibit significant biodiversity and ecological challenges. The study highlights the presence of both native species like longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), as well as nonnative invasive plants such as chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), and nepalese browntop (Microstegium vimineum). The research employs a combination of field surveys, photographic documentation, and collaborative efforts involving agencies like the Georgia Forestry Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Key findings underscore the importance of managing invasive species to preserve native ecosystems while acknowledging the ecological value of managed forests, such as thinned longleaf pine stands.
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