Restoring the Ground Layer of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

Walker, Joan L.; Silletti, Andrea M.

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-30687-2_10

Cited by 47 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…We categorized reclassed vegetation rasters based on potential restoration efficacy using the operational efficiency of ancillary silvicultural treatments (i.e., shelterwood harvesting, seed-tree harvesting, prescribed burning, herbicide application) as a standard for prioritization (Nyland 2016). We assigned high restoration potential to areas that maintained persisting disturbance legacies derived from Longleaf Pine ecosystems (i.e., Longleaf Pine saplings, seedlings, and seeds) because persisting biological and informational legacies would theoretically enhance resilience and improve restoration efforts (Brockway et al 2005a, Brudvig et al 2021, Walker and Silletti 2006). We gave sites where Longleaf Pines were already present preference over sites where planting would be necessary (Boyer and White 1990, Kirkman and Jack 2017).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Modeling for Pinus palustris Mill. (Longleaf Pine) Restoration in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap

Murray,

Baldwin,

Hagan

et al. 2023

Southeastern Naturalist

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Currently found in less than 3% of its pre-European range, Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) ecosystems are increasingly important for forest-restoration initiatives in the southeastern US. Compared to other areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, sites in the Carolina Sandhills often have higher restoration potentials for Longleaf Pine habitat. Distinct sandhill ecology and prevailing biological legacies make Longleaf Pines competitive in this region. Spatial investigations into potential restoration sites are essential preliminary steps to optimize resource allocation for large-scale restoration objectives. This study aimed to illustrate the applicability of various modeling techniques while providing a framework for restoration-parcel identification and selection. We developed multiple weighted spatial multi-criteria decision models to identify Longleaf Pine-restoration sites in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap, an ecologically distinct and understudied region of Longleaf Pine occupancy. Using advanced spatial modeling and analysis tools, we developed a classification system that combined and weighted vegetation cover, land use, and soil property raster data. The models are designed to identify potential sites for restoration, which will ultimately improve resource allocation during the project planning process. We found significant (P < 0.001) spatial clustering of large parcels and 94.7-98.3% pixel similarity between predictive models. An ensemble model, developed by averaging the pixel values of each predictive model, found that Longleaf Pine-restoration potential was highest in large rural parcels primarily east of Kershaw County. Large-parcel clustering and ecological input factors applied to a decision-making model in this study provide a precedent for systematically allocating resources to improve and increase forest restoration and management in South Carolina.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Modeling for Pinus palustris Mill. (Longleaf Pine) Restoration in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap

Murray,

Baldwin,

Hagan

et al. 2023

Southeastern Naturalist

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“…is an endemic, perennial bunchgrass usually preferred as a candidate for understory restoration where the goal is to reinstate frequent fires (Trusty & Ober 2009). This species is widespread in pine savannas along edaphic gradients (Wells & Shunk 1931), important for vertebrate diversity (Means 2006), able to establish in degraded sites (Walker & Silletti 2006), resilient to climate extremes once established (Young et al 2021), and a key driver of the grass‐fire feedback (Fill et al 2016). Wiregrass‐dominated understories also support many endemic and rare species (Hardin & White 1989; Walker 1993), and wiregrass itself might facilitate pine seedling establishment (Miller et al 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co‐occurring bunchgrasses are associated with different plant species in dry pine savannas

Baruzzi

Fill

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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Grass species are often included during restoration to reinstate feedbacks with fire. In biodiverse pine savannas of the southeastern United States, wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) is the preferred candidate for restoring low-intensity fires through the understory. Less common but locally co-dominant in dry pine savannas, pineywoods dropseed (Sporobolus junceus) is another bunchgrass candidate for restoration. If two bunchgrass species associate with different suites of plants in the understory, restoring both could support a twofold goal of restoring fire regimes and plant biodiversity. To guide restoration goals, we tested the hypothesis that in natural (i.e. not recently restored) dry pine savannas in North Florida where wiregrass and dropseed are co-dominant, they are associated with different understory plant species richness, occurrence, and abundance under or adjacent to their canopies. Species richness of associated plants did not differ between bunchgrass species or with distance from bunchgrass (i.e. under vs. adjacent). Some associated plant species, however, were more likely to occur and had greater abundance with one or the other bunchgrass species irrespective of distance. Our results suggest that including more than one bunchgrass species in restoration plantings could increase dry pine savanna biodiversity while also reinstating plant-fire feedbacks.

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“…Restoration of this rich understory is more complex, and thus its restoration requires further study and cutting‐edge tools that will promote successful understory restorations (Oswalt et al, 2012). Successful restoration of the LLP understory generally has three main targets—above‐ground biomass, dominant species and plant biodiversity—each of which are critical to the long‐term sustainability and ecosystem services provided by LLP savannas (Aschenbach et al, 2010; D. Brockway et al, 2005; Johnson & Gjerstad, 2006; Outcalt et al, 1999; J. L. Walker & Silletti, 2006). Owing to the complex nature of the system feedbacks, these three targets cannot be tackled independently, but must be restored in conjunction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Restoring ecosystem productivity to degraded ecosystems is a primary goal and basic target of ecological restoration globally, because function frequently yields numerous ecosystem services (Dobson et al, 1997; Falk et al, 2013; C. A. Harrington, 1999). In LLP savannas, frequent fires are essential for maintaining community structure, allowing these areas to remain open grasslands (D. Brockway et al, 2006; Gagnon et al, 2015; J. L. Walker & Silletti, 2006). Fine fuels on the ground (grasses and pine needles) are responsible for fire spread and thus, net primary productivity (NPP) of the understory is a critical component of LLP savanna restoration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dominant grass species contribute substantially to productivity in LLP savannas (D. G. Brockway & Lewis, 1997; Landers et al, 1995), whereas forb species drive biodiversity (J. L. Walker & Silletti, 2006), as in most grasslands and savannas (Bråthen et al, 2021). This biodiverse group provides numerous ecosystem functions and services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understory dynamics in North Carolina longleaf pine savannas: Biodiversity, dominance, and biomass

Young

Koerner

2022

J Vegetation Science

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Questions Restoration of ecosystems is complex, with multiple targets that can work in concert or conflict with each other, such as biodiversity, species dominance and biomass. When properly managed, longleaf pine (LLP) savannas are among the most biologically diverse habitats in the world. However, anthropogenic influences, such as fire suppression, have decimated this ecosystem and its biodiversity, making restoration a priority. Here, we describe the biodiversity and community dynamics seen in the understory layer across xeric LLP savannas in North Carolina and then answer the following questions: What are the predictors of (1) biodiversity, (2) dominance and (3) biomass at multiple spatial scales? Location Fifteen observational study sites in North Carolina spanning from the Sandhills to the Coastal Plain. Methods At each of the 15 sites, 25 sampling plots were established where above‐ground herbaceous biomass, species presence and abundance, soil characteristics and light availability were measured along with numerous other environmental variables. Results Considerable variation exists across study plots within and across sites, with plant species richness ranging from 1 to 17 per m2. The relative cover of the dominant grass species, Aristida stricta (wiregrass), also varied greatly within and across sites, with a median of ca. 30% relative cover per plot. Wiregrass was a significant predictor of biomass and biodiversity at small scales. With increasing wiregrass abundance, richness decreases, with 25% relative wiregrass cover leading to the highest levels of biodiversity. Likewise, because wiregrass abundance is one of the stronger predictors of above‐ground biomass, we also found a unimodal richness–biomass relationship. Conclusions Our results indicate that at lower ends of the productivity and richness gradients, land managers can increase all three restoration targets in the understory at the same time; however, at more diverse and productive sites, restoration practitioners may need to prioritize one target or find a balance between all three.

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Restoring the Ground Layer of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

Cited by 47 publications

References 57 publications

Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Modeling for Pinus palustris Mill. (Longleaf Pine) Restoration in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap

Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Modeling for Pinus palustris Mill. (Longleaf Pine) Restoration in the South Carolina Sandhills Wiregrass Gap

Co‐occurring bunchgrasses are associated with different plant species in dry pine savannas

Understory dynamics in North Carolina longleaf pine savannas: Biodiversity, dominance, and biomass

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