Fuel loads, tree community structure, and carbon storage in mountain longleaf pine stands undergoing restoration

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), once dominant in southern forests, has been reduced in range from 37 million ha to less than 1.2 million ha due in large part to fire suppression. Healthy longleaf ecosystems are characterized by an open under-story dominated by fire-resistant grasses. Current longleaf stands are found mostly in the coastal plain but a few tracts remain on south-facing slopes in mountainous regions of Alabama and Georgia. Little research exists on montane longleaf and the majority of what is known is based on studies of degraded stands. The Berry College Longleaf Pine Project began in 1999 with the primary goal of restoring relict longleaf stands on Lavender Mountain, Floyd County, Georgia. Since then, restoration burns and hardwood control have been initiated in mature stands, and planting has been initiated in clear- and selective-cut areas. The goals of the current research project were to assess changes in tree community structure and fuel biomass in mature stands in the two years following an April 2004 prescribed burn, and to determine total biomass across all managed areas. A planar transect method was used to quantify downed woody fuels, litter, herbs, duff, shrubs, and small trees. Large tree biomass and community data were obtained using the point-centered quarter method.  Since the 2004 burn, longleaf importance and the biomass of several woody fuel categories, litter, and small trees increased, whereas duff biomass decreased. Total biomass integrated across the 309-acre managed area was over 15,000 tons (ca. 50 tons/acre).