Restoring a disappearing ecosystem: the Longleaf Pine Savanna.
- USFS
- University of Georgia
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas of the southeastern United States contain some of the worlds most diverse plant communities, along with a unique complement of wildlife. Their traditionally open canopy structure and rich understory of grasses and herbs were critical to their vigor. However, a long history of land-use practices such as logging, farming, and fire exclusion have reduced this once-widespread ecosystem to only 3 percent of its original range. At six longleaf pine plantations in South Carolina, Tim Harrington with the Pacific Northwest Research Station and collaborators with the Southern Research Station used various treatments (including prescribed burns, tree thinning, and herbicide applications) to alter the forest structure and tracked how successful each one was in advancing savanna restoration over a 14-year period. They found that typical planting densities for wood production in plantations create dense understory shade that excludes many native herbaceous species important to savannas and associated wildlife. The scientists found that although tree thinning alone did not result in sustained gains, a combination of controlled burning, thinning, and herbicide treatments to reduce woody plants was an effective strategy for recovering the savanna ecosystem. The scientists also found that these efforts must be repeated periodically for enduring benefits.
- Research Organization:
- USDA Forest Service-Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE EM Office of Program and Site Support (EM-50)
- Contributing Organization:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Northwest Research Station 333 SW First Avenue P.O. Box 3890 Portland, OR 97208-3890
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI09-00SR22188
- OSTI ID:
- 1081558
- Report Number(s):
- 13-04-R; na
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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