The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem (eBook)

Dr. Shibu Jose is Associate Professor of Forest Ecology and Dr. Eric J. Jokela is Professor of Silviculture at the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Deborah L. Miller is Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida in Milton.

Contributors 6
Preface 9
Contents 11
Introduction 13
The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem 14
An Ecosystem in Peril? 14
Ecological Significance 15
Silvicultural Considerations 16
Ecological Restoration 16
Are We There Yet? 17
History and Future of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem 20
Introduction 20
Presettlement Vegetation of the Longleaf Pine Region 20
Landscape Changes 1565 to 1900 27
The Disappearance of Longleaf Pine 40
Landscape Changes from 1900 to 2000 44
The Future of the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem 49
Ecology 60
Ecological Classification of Longleaf Pine Woodlands 61
Introduction 61
Physiography and Ecoregions of the Longleaf Ecosystem 63
A Representative Longleaf Landscape 65
Toward a Community Classification 68
Xeric Sand Barrens and Uplands 69
Subxeric Sandy Uplands 83
Silty Uplands 86
Clayey and Rocky Uplands 89
Flatwoods 91
Savannas, Seeps, and Prairies 94
Concluding Remarks 100
Acknowledgments 100
Longleaf Pine Regeneration Ecology and Methods 104
Introduction 104
Ecological Relationships 104
Reproductive Biology 108
Seedling Development 111
Natural Regeneration 117
Artificial Regeneration 120
Forest Reproduction Methods 124
Acknowledgments 136
Plant Competition, Facilitation, and Other Overstory- Understory Interactions in Longleaf Pine Ecosystems 143
Introduction 143
Concepts of Plant Interactions 144
Previous Research on Overstory and Understory Interactions 147
Case Studies on Overstory and Understory Interactions in Longleaf Pine Plantations 150
Study I: Understory Community Responses to Pine Thinning and Hardwood and Shrub Control 150
Study II: Effects of Above-and Belowground Competition and Needle Litter from Overstory Pines on Fitness and Fecundity of Reintroduced Herbaceous Species 153
Implications to Maintenance and Restoration of Longleaf Pine Communities 159
USDA/Forest Service Disclaimers 162
Vertebrate Faunal Diversity of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems 165
Introduction 165
Amphibians 168
Reptiles 175
Birds 183
Mammals 187
What Can the Vertebrate Fossil Record Tell Us about Longleaf Pine Savannas? 191
Management Considerations from the Perspective of Vertebrates 197
The Importance of Fire to Wildlife in Longleaf Pine Savannas and Adjacent Ecosystems 202
Problems Associated with Pine Plantation Silviculture 204
The Problem of Habitat Fragmentation 205
Declining Species 206
Conclusions 208
Acknowledgments 209
Silviculture 222
Uneven-Aged Silviculture of Longleaf Pine 223
Introduction 223
Definitions and Concepts 224
The Selection Method-An Overview 226
Regulation of Uneven- Aged Stands 228
The Selection Method in Longleaf Pine 237
Summary 244
Longleaf Pine Growth and Yield 256
Introduction 256
Historical Perspective 257
Old Growth Information from the Literature 258
Growth and Yield of Natural Stands 258
Growth and Yield of Planted Stands 261
Evaluating Site Quality 264
Evaluating Growing Stock and Stand Density of Longleaf Pine Stands 267
Acknowledgments 269
Restoration 273
Restoring the Overstory of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems 274
Introduction 274
Regeneration Options 275
Situations Requiring Artificial Regeneration 282
Situations in Which Natural Regeneration Is an Option 291
Restoring the Ground Layer of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems 299
Ground Layer Vegetation in Longleaf Pine Landscapes: An Overview 300
Reference Models and Goals for Ground Layer 300
Recent Land Uses and Legacies: Starting Points for Restoration 302
Changing Canopy Structure to Enhance Ground Layer Vegetation 308
Altering Species Composition 312
Filling Information Gaps: Adaptive Management and Research 322
Reintroduction of Fauna to Longleaf Pine Ecosystems 336
Introduction 336
Reintroduction and Translocation: A Conservation Strategy Review 336
Translocation Case Study: Red- cockaded Woodpecker 340
Other Potential Species for Reintroduction and Translocation in Longleaf Pine Forests 363
Planning for Future Reintroduction of Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Fauna 368
Conclusion 370
Acknowledgments 370
Spatial Ecology and Restoration of the Longleaf Pine Evosystem 378
Introduction 378
Landscape Ecology and Historic Longleaf Pine Communities 380
Longleaf Pine Exploitation and the Deconstruction of Longleaf Pine Ecology 381
The Spatial Ecology of Longleaf Pine Natural Communities: From Basic Biology to Biogeography 382
Landscape Conservation Strategies 390
Opportunities 392
Challenges 394
Conclusions 396
Longleaf Pine Restoration 404
Introduction 404
Longleaf Pine: Past and Present 404
Economics of Longleaf Pine Restoration 405
Policy Options to Restore Longleaf Pine on Private Land 407
Conclusions 412
Role of Public - Private Partnership in Restoration 414
Introduction 414
Landscape-Scale Conservation 415
Partnerships in Conservation 415
GCPEP: An Example of an Effective Partnership 415
How GCPEP Began 416
The GCPEP Framework 417
Early Successes of GCPEP 417
New Partners 421
Partnership Staff Support Staff 421
Conservation Area Planning 422
Prescribed Fire 426
Endangered Species Management 427
Land Protection 428
Conclusion 429
Acknowledgments 430
Index 431