scholarly journals Rapid Ecological Integrity Assessment Metrics to Restore Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity for Shortleaf Pine–Oak Ecosystems

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1739
Author(s):  
Carl Nordman ◽  
Don Faber-Langendoen ◽  
Joanne Baggs

Open woodlands dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and oak are historically an important component of the landscape across the southeastern United States. These ecosystems support numerous wildlife species, many of which have declined in recent years as the amount and condition of their habitat have declined. Land managers and private landowners need guidance on how to efficiently and accurately quantify the condition and wildlife habitat value of the pine stands that they manage. Here we provide a set of rapid assessment metrics, based on NatureServe’s ecological integrity assessment (EIA) method, to (a) identify exemplary tracts that provide the best habitat for key wildlife species, and (b) monitor restoration efforts to assess progress toward the improved quality of existing tracts. To ensure an ecologically appropriate scaling of metrics, we distinguished six types of shortleaf pine–oak woodland: A.—Interior Highlands shortleaf pine–oak (including A.1—shortleaf pine–oak forest and woodlands; A.2—shortleaf pine–bluestem woodlands); B—montane longleaf pine–shortleaf pine woodlands; C—southern Appalachian pine–oak woodlands; D—West Gulf coastal plain shortleaf pine–oak woodlands; and E—southeast coastal plain and Piedmont shortleaf pine–oak woodlands. We relied on a narrative conceptual model and peer review-based indicator selection to identify a core set of 15 stand-level metrics (two were optional). Individual assessment points (thresholds) and ratings (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor) were developed that were sensitive to the distinct attributes of each of the five shortleaf pine–oak and Appalachian pine–oak types. Values for the metrics can all be collected using rapid field methods, such as using basal area prisms and ocular (visual) estimates of cover. Protocols for the consistent application of these EIA methods are provided. A case study is presented from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. These methods provide improved and rapid EIA metrics for all shortleaf pine–oak ecosystems in the southeastern US to help guide conservation-minded landowners in assessing the biodiversity and priority wildlife values of shortleaf pine–oak and southern Appalachian pine–oak ecosystems.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M Robertson ◽  
Sharon M Hermann ◽  
Eric L Staller

Abstract Frequently burned old field shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)–loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) woodlands in the southeastern US provide important wildlife habitat and multiple ecosystem services. Because these communities differ in composition of dominant plant species and have different land use legacies than native pine savannas, the ability to prevent encroachment by off-site broadleaf woody tree species using fire alone is in question. We use a long-term fire experiment to demonstrate that old field pine communities have been prevented from transitioning to hardwood forests for over 50 years through judicious application of prescribed fire applied at 1–2 year intervals, whereas communities with three-year fire intervals show signs of transitioning to hardwood forest. We emphasize tailoring fire regimes to particular contexts of land use history to achieve the most historic and sustainable ecosystem structure and function possible for conservation of native flora and fauna. Study Implications: Demonstrating the ability to maintain natural forest structure of old field loblolly pine–shortleaf pine communities in the southeastern US using frequent prescribed fire has implications for the future sustainability of hundreds of thousands of hectares of such land used to provide critical habitat for many species of imperiled and culturally valued wildlife. It also provides insight into restoration of longleaf pine communities on postagricultural land as promoted by multiple highly funded government initiatives. Frequently burned pine savannas and woodlands are resilient to wildfire and sustain natural hydrological cycles, both important for mitigating the effects of global climate change.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth J. Diamond ◽  
Robert H. Giles ◽  
Roy L. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Gary J. Griffin

Abstract We estimated hard mast production of a Southern Appalachian forest for two 10 yr intervals: one before and one, 35 yr after, the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) (Murr.) Barr, had killed all mature chestnut trees. The basal area of hard mast-producing trees in the postblight forest was 28% less than in the preblight forest. The estimate of hard mast output was 34% less after the chestnut blight. Postblight production was less than preblight production for 8 of 10 yr. During 5 of these years, postblight production was only 5-27% of preblight production. Annual preblight mast production was relatively stable, whereas annual postblight production fluctuated substantially. Our findings suggest that the loss of mature chestnuts (Castanea dentata) markedly reduced the Southern Appalachian forest's carrying capacity for certain wildlife species. South. J. Appl. For 24(4):196-201.


1987 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Van Lear ◽  
S. M. Jones

Abstract A site classification system based on vegetation and land type was developed for the Savannah River Plant (SRP) in the upper coastal plain of South Carolina. Different positions of the landscape support distinctive plant communities. Late successional plant communities and their immediate predecessors were identified on eight site types along a moisture gradient ranging from dry, sandy uplands to flooded bottoms. Late successional, near-stable plant communities, even in the highly disturbed forest ecosystems of the Southeast, act as integrators of environmental factors to reflectsite potential. Vegetation can supplement information on soils and topography in the delineation and classification of forest sites. Knowledge of site-vegetative relationships would be especially useful in making management decisions regarding wildlife habitat evaluation, hazard rating for insects, diseases, and fires, and estimating potential uses for recreation. Application of the system by practicing foresters is discussed. South. J. Appl. For. 11(1):23-28.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
黄琪 HUANG Qi ◽  
高俊峰 GAO Junfeng ◽  
张艳会 ZHANG Yanhui ◽  
闫人华 YAN Renhua ◽  
王雁 WANG Yan ◽  
...  

Wetlands ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169-1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryana M. Bush ◽  
John J. Hutchens ◽  
Vladislav Gulis ◽  
Kevin S. Godwin

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