Prescribed Burning in Southern Forest and Rangeland Improves Forage and Its Use

Abstract

Abstract Prescribed burning is a common management practice on much of the South's rangeland and forest land. Fire helps maintain the productivity, improves the nutrient content, and increases digestibility of forage. Burning increases availability of forage and browse plants by removing dead plant material and by reducing the size and density of shrubs. Proper use of fire permits better use of the grazable natural resources of southern forest ranges for both livestock and wildlife.