The History of Fire in the Southern United States
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Abstract
Anthropogenic fires have been a key form of disturbance in southern ecosystems for more than 10,000 years. Archaeological and ethnohistorical information reveal general patterns in fire use during the five major cultural periods in the South; these are Native American prehistory, early European settlement, industrialization, fire suppression, and fire management. Major shifts in cultural traditions are linked to significant transitions in fire regimes. A holistic approach to fire ecology is necessary for illuminating the multiple, complex links between the cultural history of the South and the evolution of southern ecosystems. The web of connections between history, society, politics, economy, and ecology are inherent to the phenomena of fire.
Recommended Citation
Fowler, Cynthia and Evelyn Konopik. 2007. The History of Fire in the Southern United States. Human Ecology Review 14(2):165-176.