Fire Reversal Study

This is the query page for data from the fire reversal study. This program is designed for students to better understand the effects of burn treatments on woody plants in the tallgrass prairie.  Shrub islands have grown in areas where fire was not allowed for more than 20 years.  Now the same areas are being burned annually to observe the effects on the woody species.  There are two types of shrub islands: Rough-leaved Dogwood (#1 and #2) and Smooth Sumac (#3 and 4).  

Data was collected by student researchers.  Individual stems were measured for height and distance from the center point on two transects (straight lines) oriented south to north and east to west across the shrub island.  Each year the shrub islands are measured in April before they are burned and again in the fall after a year's growth.  Each year we learn how the shrub islands change because of the effect fire.   

1. What is the height and distribution of rough-leaved dogwood stems along a North/South transect and an East/West transect in April 2001?

Shrub Island #1                    Shrub Island #2

2. How did the fire affect the islands in 2001? in 2002?

3. What is the distribution of smooth sumac stems along North/South transect and East/West transect in April 2001.

Shrub Island #3                   Shrub Island #4

4. How did the fire affect Island #3 and #4 in 2001 and 2002?

3-D Shrub Island