Stewardship Ecological Management N atural areas encompass a wide range of environments and support a rich diversity of plant and animal species. Stewardship is the long-term management of land to maintain its natural resources and inherent natural beauty. DCR acquires, dedicates and manages natural areas of statewide significance. In addition, DCR advises other levels of government and private owners about managing natural areas. Ecological management is focused on maintaining and enhancing the natural values of land to conserve biological diversity and is the key to successful stewardship.
Ecological management can be sub-divided into six general areas.
Well designed natural areas encompass those ecological features necessary for the survival of native plants and animals. Habitat restoration involves the return of specific habitat features to the environment and the removal of invasive non-native species. Hydrologic restoration allows for the natural flow of water through a wetland or along a waterway, thus encouraging certain plants and animals to inhabit an area. Prescribed burning is the carefully planned use of fire to enhance seed germination and make space and nutrients available for new growth in fire dependent natural areas, such as longleaf pine-turkey oak sandhills. Research aimed at understanding the natural history, biology and population dynamics of a rare species or how an ecosystem functions is essential for sound management.