The role of fire in forest ecosystems

Forests depend on fire, and Florida's wildlife relies and thrives on the habitats it creates. They’ve also adapted to living around fire. Before there were houses and roads, wildland fires were primarily ignited by lightning and Indigenous peoples. Today, we use prescribed fire. Being fire-adapted means wildlife species know what to do during burns. They fly away, climb trees, burrow, go into stump holes, or retreat to wetlands. It's a rhythm they've used for thousands of years, and prescribed f