2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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5/24/2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | PRESCRIBED FIRE EFFECTS ON WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTHEASTERN PINE SAVANNAS | Virtual Platform

PRESCRIBED FIRE EFFECTS ON WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTHEASTERN PINE SAVANNAS

Prescribed burns and wildfires alter nutrient dynamics and food webs within terrestrial and aquatic systems by remobilizing stored nutrients and altering dissolved organic matter quantity and quality. These ecological and biogeochemical effects have been widely studied in forests and streams of the Western United States. However, there are few studies of fire effects within the Southeastern United States, and even fewer in southeastern pine savanna wetlands, a common feature on the landscape. Here, we investigate the short- and long-term effects of fire regimes on southeastern pine savanna wetlands’ biodiversity and biogeochemical processes by sampling ~30 wetlands across North Central Florida. At each wetland, we are assessing the effects of fire regime (most recent burn, burn frequency in past 30-yrs, fuel load) on biofilm nutrient limitation and macroinvertebrate community composition and abundance. We hypothesize that a more intense fire regime will shift wetlands from phosphorus and nitrogen co-limitation to nitrogen-limited systems. In addition, we predict benthic invertebrate communities will shift from shredders to collectors and grazers with increasing fire regime intensity. Our results will help guide prescribed fire policy to better manage water resources, habitat, and biodiversity in Southeastern pine savannas.

Biological effects
Biogeochemistry
Interdisciplinary

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Presenters/Authors

Samantha Howley (), University of Florida, samanthathowley@gmail.com;