Benefits to wildlife

As the plants of Missouri developed mechanisms for coping with the disturbance of fire, so did the animals. Most wildlife species in Missouri evolved with fire. Some wildlife species are tolerant of the effects of fire, others benefit from them. Burning grasslands, glades, savannahs and woodlands increases native forbs, including legumes, which provides cover, seeds and insects for ground nesting and foraging wildlife. Litter removal exposes seeds and allows birds to move freely through the new vegetation to find insects, seek protection from the weather and predators, and dry off on damp mornings.

Prescribed fire helps control woody vegetation that would adversely affect bobwhite quail and other wildlife habitat. Prairie chicken populations decline when woody vegetation becomes too thick. Prescribed burning once every three years can reduce nest predation on bobwhite quail and increase browse for deer. One- and two-year old burns provide more quail food than older burns. Only one-fourth to one-third of the nesting habitat should be burned in any one year to ensure adequate nesting cover.