Is fire alone enough to restore oak savannas?

This study in central Wisconsin compared degraded oak savanna sites which were only burned to sites which were harvested and then burned. Based on the results, the authors discussed the pros and cons of both techniques as part of a restoration plan which we summarize here.

For a summary of the study's results and implications for management, you view or download a PDF version of the research brief here.
 

This research brief for resource managers reviews the following peer-reviewed publication:
 

Scott Nielsen, Chad Kirschbaum, and Alan Haney. 2003. Restoration of Midwest oak barrens: Structural manipulation or process-only? Conservation Ecology 7(2):10.