Vegetation response to midstorey mulching and prescribed burning for wildfire hazard reduction and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem restoration
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Published source details
Brockway D.G., Outcalt K.W., Estes B.L. & Rummer R.B. (2009) Vegetation response to midstorey mulching and prescribed burning for wildfire hazard reduction and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem restoration. Forestry, 82, 299-314.
Published source details Brockway D.G., Outcalt K.W., Estes B.L. & Rummer R.B. (2009) Vegetation response to midstorey mulching and prescribed burning for wildfire hazard reduction and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem restoration. Forestry, 82, 299-314.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use thinning followed by prescribed fire Action Link |
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Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees Action Link |
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Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link |
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Use thinning followed by prescribed fire
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2000-2003 in temperate mixed forest in Georgia, USA (Brockway et al. 2009) found that thinning followed by burning decreased tree density and species richness, and increased the cover of understory plants. The number of trees/ha (winter: 215; spring: 305; summer: 258; untreated: 793) and the number of tree species/100 m2 (winter: 4.3; spring: 6.0; summer: 3.3 untreated: 8.7) were lower in all thinned and burned treatments than in untreated plots. Understory plant cover (winter: 130%; spring: 113%; summer: 114%; untreated: 71%) was higher in thinned and burned treatments than in untreated plots. In 2000, three thinned and burned (mulching of all broadleaf trees regardless of size, and all pines <20 cm diameter at breast height followed by winter/spring/summer prescribed fire) and one unmanipulated treatment were randomly assigned to four plots (110 × 110 m) in each of four blocks. Data were collected in 2002-2003 in five subplots (10 × 10 m) within each treatment plot.
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Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees
A replicated, controlled study in 2000-2003 in temperate mixed forest in Georgia, USA (Brockway et al. 2009) found that mechanical thinning decreased tree density and diversity. In thinned plots the following were lower than in unthinned plots: number of trees/ha (thinned: 212; unthinned; 793), the number of tree species/100 m2 (thinned: 4.0; unthinned: 8.7) and diversity of trees (Shannon’s index in 100 m2; thinned: 0.78; unthinned: 1.13). Four blocks were established in 2000, each containing thinned (mulching of all broadleaf trees regardless of size, and all pines <20 cm diameter at breast height) and unthinned treatment plots (110 × 110 m). Data were collected in 2002-2003 in five subplots (10 × 10 m) within each treatment plot.
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Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A replicated, controlled study in 2000-2003 in temperate mixed forest in Georgia, USA (Brockway et al. 2009) found that mechanical thinning increased the cover of understory plants. Understory plant cover was higher in thinned than unthinned plots (thinned: 112%; unthinned: 71%). Four blocks, each containing thinned (mulching of all broadleaf trees regardless of size, and all pines <20 cm diameter at breast height) and unthinned treatment plots (110 × 110 m) were established in 2000. Data were collected in 2002-2003 in five subplots (10 × 10 m) within each treatment plot.
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