Controlled Burning

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the controlled burning at Yellowstone National Park where environmentalists were accused of having too much of a hands-off policy in terms of looking after and burning Yellowstone. The paper looks at the argument that if controlled burning spirals into an uncontrolled fire, it can damage rather than aid the general ecosystem of flora and fauna. The paper then considers the other point of view that the reason for the severity of such recent fires is the lack of small, controlled burnings, not an excess of them.

From the Paper:

"Controlled burning is a fairly routine part of park maintenance at Yellowstone National Park. Controlled burning has been used as a tool of wildlife conservation in the past, as a way of promoting a greater diversity and abundance of plants and animals in conservation parks such as Yellowstone. Controlled burning is seen as a way of being 'more' rather than less close or similar to nature and how nature regulates species diversity. "Most wildlife biologists (at least in the west) love to see small, controlled fires burning in areas of potential wildlife habitat -especially where a mosaic type burn can occur that leaves gaps in the burn of unburned fuel. These gaps provide the cover for wildlife that can still enjoy the benefits of the burn (new growth, nutrient release, etc.). Wildlife thrives on new growth after a controlled burn" (Albright 2000). Burning, responsibly controlled by fire officials, can make for a better environment for new plant and animal species."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Albright, Del. (May 2008) "Controlled fire." Retrieved June 4, 2008http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/fire.htm
• Cullen, Barry. (24 Sept 2008). "No, don't let Yellowstone burn." The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2008 at http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1D81F3EF936A1575AC0A96E948260
• Shay, Becky & Clair Johnson. (19 Apr 2008). "Winds take control of controlled burn." Helenair.com. Retrieved June 4, 2008 http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/04/19/state/top/50st_080419_bil-fire.txt
• Paige, Sean. (23 Nov 1998). "Only the Forest Service can prevent forest fires." Insight on theNews. Retrieved June 4, 2008 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_43_14/ai_55710755

More papers on Controlled Burning:

• Book Review # 145930 : "Conflict in "Barn Burning"
• Research Paper # 21582 : "The Burning of Indian Widows"
• Research Paper # 10119 : "Burn Out and Quitting Work"

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