Fire plays an important role in many ecosystems, including the prairie. It cycles nutrients, clears out detritus that thwarts the sun’s rays from reaching young plants¹, and directly stimulates germination of various fire-adapted species². Many restoration efforts involve controlled burns.

An interesting consideration is the release of carbon involved in such activities. Could stewards be aiding one ecosystem at the expense of all others? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding no!! In fact, prairies may become a key carbon sink in our changing climate³.

How? Prairie plants send down deep roots. This underground growth sequesters a lot of carbon – and critically, it lies beyond the reach of flames. Toss in the spate of new growth that follows a fire, and the imbalance becomes clear: even when everything above goes up in smoke, a lot more carbon gets lost below.

¹ Fire and Grazing in the Prairie – Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

² Smoke Infusion for Seed Germination in Fire-adapted Species

³ Grasslands More Reliable Carbon Sink Than Trees