PARENT SESSION
Poster Session # 14: Forest Ecology.

Wednesday, August 6 Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. SITCC Exhibit Hall B.

Survival and health of dogwood (Cornus florida L.) in response to burning.

Holzmueller, Eric ^*,1, Jose, Shibu², Jenkins, Michael³, ¹ University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States² University of Florida, Milton, FL, United States³ Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN, United States

ABSTRACT- Survival of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.), one of the most common understory species in eastern forests, is threatened by a fungus, Discula destructiva, the causal agent of dogwood anthracnose. Where anthracnose is present, mortality among Cornus florida has been quite high. Currently there are no management plans to protect populations of dogwood in eastern forests. This study looks at Cornus florida in burned and unburned areas in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). Stand composition, structure, microenvironment, and soil conditions of burned and unburned areas are being evaluated to see how Cornus florida is affected by fire. Preliminary results indicate that heavy Cornus florida mortality has occurred in the western GSMNP over the past two decades (between 1979 and 2000). However, Cornus florida density doubled in burned areas compared to unburned areas, likely a result of stump sprouting and reduced shading in burned stands. This information will help decide how prescribed burning should be applied to reduce dogwood anthracnose in the GSMNP as well as other areas along the East Coast of the US.

Key words: dogwood, Discula destructiva, Cornus florida, dogwood anthracnose