Reference ecosystems are a valuable tool for restoration and management efforts in degraded ecosystems. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), a pyrophytic southeastern U.S. ecosystem, have declined precipitously in extent since European settlement. Pine mortality and growth patterns were examined in a 15-year re-measurement study in two old-growth stands. Both stands experienced postire mortality and short-lived decreases in basal area. Distance to nearest neighbor had a significant effect on mortality of small (<10 cm DBH) pine. To better approximate reference conditions, saplings of five co-occurring hardwood species were destructively measured for bark accumulation and taper using bark and wood thickness. Significant species differences were detected in bark:wood ratio (P<0.001), with no difference in wood diameter. Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) had a bark:wood ratio 3x the closest species and steeper slopes of bark accumulation, suggesting that it is a fireapted species. These results will inform reference conditions for critical regional pine restoration efforts.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-3973 |
| Date | 13 December 2014 |
| Creators | Hammond, Darcy Helen |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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