Balancing Fire, Air in Kansas Tallgrass Prairie
•Download as PPT, PDF•
0 likes•1,690 views
This document discusses the use of prescribed burning in the Flint Hills of Kansas. It notes that tallgrass prairie is fire-dependent and maintained by burning. About 35% of the 4.8 million acres of Flint Hills are burned annually through prescribed spring burns. Burning improves livestock grazing and controls brush. Cattle gain more weight grazing burned pastures. However, smoke from the burns can impact air quality and health. The EPA, state agencies, and cities are willing to work with agriculture to find solutions rather than impose regulations. Maintaining ecological benefits through burning while addressing smoke issues is important.
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
Viewers also liked
Similar to Balancing Fire, Air in Kansas Tallgrass Prairie
Similar to Balancing Fire, Air in Kansas Tallgrass Prairie (15)
More from LPE Learning Center
More from LPE Learning Center (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Balancing Fire, Air in Kansas Tallgrass Prairie
- 1. Balancing: Earth Air and FIRE in the Kansas Flint Hills Jeff Davidson Kansas State Univ. Watershed Specialist jdavidso@ksu.edu
- 8. Tallgrass Prairie is Fire-Derived – Fire Maintained
- 9. Rx Fire is practiced In the Spring – April Just as the 1st green begins to show
- 12. 4.8 Million acres in Flint Hills About 35% Burns Annually
- 13. Prescribed Burning Improves: Livestock performance Grazing distribution Control of brush species
- 14. 10 to 15 % Higher Gain on Cattle grazing Burned Pastures
- 15. Burning Issues of Today SMOKE & Air Quality
- 19. Health Effects of Ozone • Irritation of the respiratory system • Aggravation of asthma and allergies • Permanent lung damage after repeated exposure • Children, elderly, and people with existing health conditions affected more
- 20. Ozone Standard History • 1971 - EPA set 1-hour standard at 0.120 ppm • 1997 - EPA set 8-hour standard at 0.085 ppm • 2008 - EPA lowered 8-hour standard – Primary standard set at 0.075 ppm – Secondary standard same as primary • 2009 – New standard withdrawn
- 21. Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan
- 22. ksfire.org
- 24. Fire --the most powerful land management tool
- 25. Summary Thoughts EPA, KDHE, cities all willing to work with Ag to find solutions. By working together, regulation can be avoided.
- 26. Summary Thoughts â–ş Need to avoid urban vs. rural debate â–ş Recognize benefits of both strong urban industrial sector and a strong agriculture
- 27. Summary Thoughts • Ecological benefits of burning are extremely important to maintain and preserve the Flint Hills.
- 29. Jeff Davidson Kansas State University Eureka, Kansas jdavidso@ksu.edu
- 33. Summary Thoughts • EPA willing to work with the ag industry to find solutions to smoke issue rather than force regulations. • EPA, KDHE, major cities all willing to work with ag to find solutions.
- 34. Summary Thoughts • Need to avoid urban versus rural debate. • We recognize the benefits of a strong urban industrial sector and a strong agriculture in Kansas
- 36. Fire dependent ecosystems Long leaf pine grasslands Serpentine barrens Ponderosa Pine stands TALLGRASS PRAIRIES Chaparral Oak savannahs Mixed pine of Sierra Nevadas
Editor's Notes
- Ground level ozone is identical to upper atmosphere ozone Caused by chemical reaction of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Reaction goes both ways. Reaction goes both ways. Concentrations higher when conditions are hot, sunny with light winds Only difference in Kansas is that we do not have mountains
- Beijing olympics will be a test-----ozone readings four to five times standard
- EPA required to conduct 5- year reviews of the NAAQS---do it every ten years or so