The Northern Great Plains fire effects monitoring program was established in 1996 to document baseline vegetation information, to detect trends in vegetation populations, to ensure that resource management objectives are met, and to aid in refining parks’ fire management programs. Since 1996, over 150 monitoring plots have been established in forest stands, shrublands, and grasslands of 10 National Park units of the NGP. The majority of our monitoring protocols follow those described in the NPS Fire Monitoring Handbook, although we have used alternative protocols to answer some park-specific questions.
In addition to monitoring vegetation, the monitoring crew collects fuel moisture data throughout the summer season as well as assists with prescribed and wildland fires.
Fire Effects Monitoring Crew Photos
Fuel Moisture Data - Wind Cave
