PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #18: Fire Ecology I.
Tuesday, August 6. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC
17
New room to grow: patterns of regeneration in an old-growth longleaf pine stand after fire re-introduction.
Avery, Chadwick*,1, Kush, John2, 1 University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia2 Auburn University, Auburn University, Alabama
ABSTRACT- Ecological restoration reliant on the use of prescribed fire has been underway for seven years in an uncut, old-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stand located in lower Alabama, USA. This stand had undergone >45 years of fire suppression, leading to heavy litter accumulations (> 25 cm), and no longleaf pine regeneration or stems in the smallest size classes. As part of an ecological restoration project involving the re-introduction of fire into the stand, several stand attributes have been monitored since 1995. Annual mortality for all longleaf pine over the study period averaged 4.2%; and there was 100% for all longleaf pine below 7.5 cm at diameter breast height (DBH). Basal area remained static (17.9 to 17.8 square meters/ha) from 1995 to 2001. Mean DBH of all longleaf pine shifted from 24 to 27.5 cm, and tree density decreased from 280 trees/ha to 230 trees/ha. A major component of the project has been to monitor longleaf pine regeneration occurring from the 1996 mast seed year. Seedlings have decreased from nearly 12,000 stems/ha just after seed fall in 1997 to below 1000 stems/ha in 2000 after the stand had received three winter burns. A study was installed in 2001 to examine seedling survival and growth of the 1996 seed crop. Four rectangular transects (50 cm by 30 m) were established across thirty 0.04-ha plots. Within each transect, seedlings were stem mapped and litter depth, distance to nearest overstory tree, and percent groundcover were recorded. Variables such as seedling density, tree basal area, and stem density will be measured in order to explain spatial patterns of seedling establishment. The stand will receive a spring burn and seedling survival will be assessed in early summer.
KEY WORDS: Pinus palustris, restoration, old-growth, prescribed fire