Ecological Challenges of Fire and Roads in Wildland-Urban Interfaces (WUI)

Texas A&M Forest Service - The Wildland Urban Interface

As cities become crowded with people and development decreases local green spaces, we tend to venture out of urban and suburban areas in search of quiet isolation. This has unfortunately led to an exurban expansion in the form of new and expanded residential areas and roads. Our shift into undeveloped regions has created significant impacts to the ecology of a given area. Not only are natural ecosystems experiencing these impacts, humans are as well. 

Housing Density throughout the U.S. from 1970-2010. Dr. Eric Wood, Silva Lab UW-Madison.

Fire is a natural disturbance that is needed in order to maintain ecosystem function. Fire suppression began when European settlers first arrived to North American. Over the years, woody debris and other types of fuel have accumulated in forest systems which has led to higher frequency and intensity fires. On an annual average, 1,300 homes burn as a result of wildfires and the US Forest Service alone spends about $2 billion in preventative actions and fire suppression (Silvas Lab). Increased spread of housing developments in natural areas will continue to put lives and property at risk if not managed properly. One management strategy could be to conduct prescribed burns in and around WUIs to decrease fuel load, decreasing the intensity and frequency of wildfires. Another strategy that is currently being done is to map wildfires to understand trends of housing loss and to model the likelihood of wildfires with environmental variables such as vegetation condition and topography, (Silvas Lab). 

Roads provide a convenient means of transportation to natural areas and make accessing them easy. However, roads can also increase development opportunities and increase edge effects. Another study in the Silvas Lab has explored the effects roads have on protected natural areas such as Indiana Dunes and Pictured Rock. Researchers found that Indiana Dunes had a higher development pressure being 30 miles from Chicago, roads had doubled since 1938, increase in housing density, and a decrease in both land area inside the park not bisected by a road and outside the park. Pictured Rocks experienced a less intense development pressure being in a remote area, but still saw a slight increase in roads and housing density, decline in landscape fragmentation, and a decrease in both mean land area within the park not bisected by a road and outside the park. Management strategies could consist of creating a long-term management plan for monitoring edge effects at the boarders of the parks, conversing biodiversity by limiting habitat fragmentation, and looking ahead at other protected areas that in the near future could experience development pressure.

"Changes in road density between 1938 and 2005 and road development for pre and post establishment period within Indiana Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores and the 3.2 km zones adjacent to the parks." Shelley Maxted, Silva Lab UW-Madison.

I think it's possible to be present in the wilderness while protecting habitat, however it's our responsibility to understand how our actions might influence the natural environment. We can become knowledgeable through scientific research that analyzes how the presence of humans have changed environments. We can then look at the research that is being done and establish protected areas, create laws and management strategies, and set bag limits. With the proper enforcement and communication, we can allow people to enjoy nature without disrupting habitats.

Sources

https://texaswildfirerisk.com/the-wildland-urban-interface

http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/research/why-do-some-houses-burn-and-others-do-not-when-a-wildfire-hits/

http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/research/where-do-fires-destroy-homes-in-the-united-states/

http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/research/housing-growth-and-road-density-in-and-near-park-service-holdings-in-the-midwest/

http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/research/housing-development-is-eroding-the-value-of-protected-lands/