Restoring Fire to Long‐Unburned <i>Pinus palustris</i> Ecosystems: Novel Fire Effects and Consequences for Long‐Unburned Ecosystems

Varner, J. Morgan; Gordon, Doria R.; Putz, Francis E.; Hiers, J. Kevin

doi:10.1111/j.1526-100x.2005.00067.x

Cited by 203 publications

(163 citation statements)

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“…In the experimental plots, C and N concentrations were higher near the trunk where litter accumulation and forest floor depth are generally greater [19,51,52]. Indeed, Varner et al [22] reported that without fire, litter from pines and hardwoods could accumulate as deep as 25 cm near the trunk of large trees. Burning of accumulated organic materials results in losses of C and N via volatilization, but also as an input, through ash, of soil C and N via leaching into the mineral soil [53].…”

Section: Soil Gradientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Modern fire suppression from forest management or agriculture, however, has led to hardwood encroachment, the development of a woody mid-story [25] and altered cover and composition of understory vegetation [23,[26][27][28]. Without fire, litter from pines and hardwoods can accumulate as deep as 25 cm, especially near the bases of large trees [22]. In savanna-type forests, levels of soil organic matter and nutrients are generally higher below the tree canopy [4,29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These ecosystems were historically described as open, fire-maintained woodlands with a sparse but species-rich understory [21]. Frequently burned (i.e., fire frequency of 1-12 years) longleaf pine woodlands have very little organic matter on the ground, with the exception of a more substantial accumulation of litter and woody debris under the canopy of individual pines [21,22]. The most xeric sites-termed pine sandhills-tend to have very low organic matter accumulation [23] and open understory [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Restoration Treatments on the Spatial Variability of Soil Processes under Longleaf Pine Trees

Lavoie

Mack

Hiers

et al. 2012

Forests

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Abstract:The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize tree-based spatial patterning of soil properties and understory vegetation in frequently burned ("reference state") and fire-suppressed longleaf pine forests; and (2) determine how restoration treatments affected patterning. To attain these objectives, we used an experimental manipulation of management types implemented 15 years ago in Florida. We randomly located six mature longleaf pine trees in one reference and four restoration treatments (i.e., burn, control, herbicide, and mechanical), for a total of 36 trees. In addition to the original treatments and as part of a monitoring program, all plots were subjected to several prescribed fires during these 15 years. Under each tree, we sampled mineral soil and understory vegetation at 1 m, 2 m, 3 m and 4 m (vegetation only) away from the tree. At these sites, soil carbon and nitrogen were higher near the trunk while graminoids, forbs and saw palmetto covers showed an opposite trend. Our results confirmed that longleaf pine trees affect the spatial patterning of soil and understory vegetation, and this patterning was mostly limited to the restoration sites. We suggest frequent burning as a probable cause for a lack of spatial structure in the "reference state". We attribute the presence of spatial patterning in the restoration sites to accumulation of organic materials near the base of mature trees.

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Section: Soil Gradientmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Restoration Treatments on the Spatial Variability of Soil Processes under Longleaf Pine Trees

Lavoie

Mack

Hiers

et al. 2012

Forests

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“…We used a point transect count census technique, adapted for the open habitat at Eglin, to record the relative abundance of cavity-nesting birds within each plot between 8 April and 21 June of 2002-2005(Provencher et al 2002. Each year, we conducted two rounds of censusing on two plots per morning within three hours after sunrise (totaling 24 census stations).…”

Section: Study Site and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cavity Excavation and Enlargement as Mechanisms for Indirect Interactions in an Avian Community

Blanc

Walters

2008

Ecology

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Abstract. Direct and indirect species interactions within ecological communities may play a strong role in influencing or maintaining community structure. Complex community interactions pose a major challenge to predicting ecosystem responses to environmental change because predictive frameworks require identification of mechanisms by which community interactions arise. Cavity-nesting communities are well suited for mechanistic studies of species interactions because cavity nesters interact through the creation of and competition for cavity-nest sites. In this study, we use a cavity-nest web as a predictive framework for identifying potential indirect species interactions within a cavity-nesting community. From 2002 to 2005, we monitored abundance and nests of cavity-nesting birds in the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem. Using a nest-web approach, we identified a potential indirect interaction between the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and large secondary cavity nesters, mediated by the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). We used structural equation modeling to test a path model of this interaction, using cavity excavation and enlargement as mechanisms which drive the relationship between these species. Through experimental manipulation of cavity availability, we blocked links described in our model, confirming cavity creation and enlargement as processes that influence community structure. We found that a single-species management technique could potentially disrupt this indirect relationship by affecting Northern Flicker cavity-excavation behavior. This study is the first demonstration of how experimental cavity manipulation can be used to test inferred processes derived from a nest web and highlights the need to understand how mechanisms underlying species interactions can complicate ecosystem responses to environmental change.

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“…Researchers have found that bark thicker than 12 mm will protect the stem cambium of most pines during prescribed fires (Fahnestock and Hare 1964). Even though pine bark is a good insulator, cambial damage can occur if the fire duration is long, which typically occurs if fuels (e.g., sloughed bark and needles) have accumulated at the base of a tree (Menges and Deyrup 2001;Varner et al 2005). Damage to either the crown or cambium often results in death of trees months later.…”

Section: Abiotic Disturbance Effects Under Future Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Florida's Plantation Forests in a Changing Climate

Martin¹,

Adams²,

Cohen³

et al. 2017

Florida’s Climate: Changes, Variations, &Amp; Impacts

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Key Messages• Production forestry provides substantial benefits to the state of Florida, including the provision of ecosystem services, such as regulation of water quantity and quality, provision of wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration, and supporting 80,000 jobs and $16.34 billion/year in economic activity.• Climate through the end of the century in the production forestry regions of northern Florida and southern Georgia is predicted to warm from 1.5 °C to almost 3.5 °C, with small increases in annual precipitation, and elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration. Models predict that these changes will result in substantial increases in potential loblolly pine and slash pine plantation productivity, ranging from 5-35% depending on emissions scenario, species, and location.• Forestry is unique in that it is one of the few industries that sequesters more carbon than it emits. There are opportunities to increase carbon sequestration for mitigation of atmospheric CO 2 through retention or expansion of forested areas, altered forest management, and the use of woody biomass for power generation in place of fossil fuels.• The frequency and intensity of abiotic disturbances, such as wildfire and windstorms, are likely to be affected by climate change; but predictions remain uncertain about the magnitude of change and their effects on the forest resource.• Research is underway to better understand how native forest pests and pathosystems may respond to changing climate. The movement of pests or pathogens into previously nonimpacted areas is of particular concern.• Plantation forests have been a vital part of protecting regional water quantity and quality, and they will continue to be essential features of healthy, productive landscapes as climate changes and the potential for adverse climate impacts on water resources increases.'• The key to adapting forest management to changing climate will be the considered application of silvicultural tools, such as competition control, density and fertility management, and proper choice of species for each site. Keeping abreast of research advances related to these tools will be increasingly important for forest managers as climate conditions change.• There are several viable policy options for harnessing forests to mitigate climate change and increasing forest resilience and adaptation to climate change. However, since 71% of Florida's forests are privately owned, policy options must align well with landowner needs to have adequate impact. Broadly speaking, policies that improve market conditions, reduce burdens (regulatory and economic), and increase economic sustainability for forest landowners would help protect Florida's existing forests and the benefits they provide, and would encourage investment in reforestation of existing forestland and planting new forests on previously unforested land.

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Restoring Fire to Long‐Unburned Pinus palustris Ecosystems: Novel Fire Effects and Consequences for Long‐Unburned Ecosystems

Cited by 203 publications

References 50 publications

The Effect of Restoration Treatments on the Spatial Variability of Soil Processes under Longleaf Pine Trees

The Effect of Restoration Treatments on the Spatial Variability of Soil Processes under Longleaf Pine Trees

Cavity Excavation and Enlargement as Mechanisms for Indirect Interactions in an Avian Community

Managing Florida's Plantation Forests in a Changing Climate

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