Effects of understory prescribed burning on shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)/mixed-hardwood forests

Published source details Elliott K.J. & Vose J.M. (2005) Effects of understory prescribed burning on shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)/mixed-hardwood forests. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 132, 236-251.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use prescribed fire: effects on young trees Action Link
	Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants Action Link

Use prescribed fire: effects on young trees

A replicated, controlled study in 2001-2003 in temperate mixed forest in Georgia and Tennessee, USA (Elliott & Vose 2005) found that prescribed burning increased the density of trees <5 cm diameter at breast height but not of larger trees and did not affect species richness of new trees. Density of trees <5 cm diameter at breast height was higher in burned sites (burned: 122,660; unburned: 63,560 stems/ha). However, density of trees >5 cm diameter at breast height was similar in burned (1,150) and unburned sites (870). The number of species of trees did not differ between treatments for those <5 cm diameter at breast height (burned: 29.8; unburned: 27.0) and those >5 cm diameter at breast height (burned: 15.8; unburned: 15.0). Data was collected in 2002 in five 10 × 20 m plots in each of four burned (prescribed burned in March 2001) and two control (unburned) sites (total of 30 plots).
Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

A replicated, controlled study in 2001-2003 in temperate mixed forest in Georgia and Tennessee, USA (Elliott & Vose 2005) found that prescribed burning increased the cover of understory plants but did not affect plant species richness. The cover of herbaceous plants and tree seedlings <50 cm tall was higher in burned sites (burned: 26%; unburned: 24%) while numbers of species was similar between treatments (burned: 34.2 unburned: 34.0). Data were collected in 2002 in five 10 × 20 m plots in each of four burned (prescribed burn in March 2001) and two control unburned sites (total of 30 plots).