Impacts of Prescribed Burning on Archeological and Biological Resources of the Knife River Indian Villages NHS

摘要

The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (KNRI) was established in 1974 for the purpose of insuring the preservation, interpretation, and research of unique historical and archeological resources associated with the Plains Indian and various cultural-historic periods (Hellickson-Key 1984). The park harbors evidence of several centuries of human activity, especially post ca. 1750, and is noted for its earthlodge village sites, historical associations with Lewis and Clark and other Euro-American explorers, as well as being a site of the agricultural phase of Plains Indian development. Cultural resource studies have revealed a wealth of archeological artifacts and historical sites within the 520 ha of KNRI. The report describes results of a research program designed to experimentally test major impacts of prairie fires on archeological materials common to KNRI. We also review known impacts of burning programs on both artifacts and selected plant species common to KNRI. Based on these results, we present a series of technical management recommendations to: (1) preserve the valuable archeological resources of KNRI, (2) mitigate potentially negative impacts of prescribed burning programs, and (3) utilize safe fire management procedures to enhance the plant and animal communities of KNRI.