During 2005, a remnant of a rare prairie plant community was
identified along the Natchez Trace Parkway, within the city of
Tupelo, Mississippi. Due to fire suppression, the area was heavily encroached with small-diameter eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) (Figure 1). The situation was
undesirable because of the increased fuel load and threat of wildfire, and because the prairie was disappearing due to the shade of the cedar trees.
This prairie plant community is found on the unique and chalky
soils of the Black Belt region of Mississippi. The species that
dominate this prairie include indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans),
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) white prairie clover
(Dalea candida), scaly blazingstar (Liatris squarrosa) and prairie
rosinweed (Silphium terebinthinaceum).
In order to reduce fuel loading and to promote the health of the
plant community, it was necessary to carefully remove the cedar
trees. Removal was done by the Natchez Trace Parkway fire suppression and fire effects crews using chainsaws. Work was performed during the spring and summer of 2006 (Figure 2). The cedars were moved in small bunches to a chipper. Trees
were then chipped and the resulting wood chips were moved
offsite. Although this process was time-consuming and
demanding, it was decided that limiting the use of mechanized
equipment within the site would result in minimum impact to the
fragile ecosystem. Moving the chips offsite, as opposed to
disbursing them, promoted regrowth of the prairie species
(Figure 3).
During fiscal year 2008, this site will be burned and fire effects
crews will continue to monitor the site. Because more of this
prairie habitat has been identified in the area, future plans
include thinning and burning of additional acres. This project
was one of the first thinning and burning restoration projects for
the Parkway in recent history.
Contact: Lisa McInnis, Fire Ecologist
Phone: (662) 840-7572
