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Strategies for Restoring Structure
and Function
Map image at different levels of resolution for three areas identified for longleaf pine restoration with staged cluster planting. Panel (A) shows three open areas (in grey) located within a larger forested matrix. Panel (B) shows a close-up of one of the open areas slated for staged cluster planting. The different colored circles correspond to three age classes established ten years apart. And panel (C) shows the area within the larger circle, which corresponds to the lateral extent of a mature tree crown, where the cluster of seedlings will be established.
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Considering only 2-3% of the area within the historical range of longleaf pine is currently occupied by this species, and a much smaller fraction that is representative of conditions that existed prior to extensive exploitation, there is a critical need for restoration efforts. While simply planting longleaf in place of other more commonly used southern pines, most notably loblolly and slash, will increase the acreage of longleaf and provide other benefits, such efforts will fall short of achieving true ‘restoration’ goals. For example, the multiaged and open-canopy structure of natural longleaf forests will not be achieved using traditional approaches to plantation establishment. To address this limitation we are developing and testing novel approaches to establishing longleaf pine that will incorporate key features of natural stands, and also be practical to implement.
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