Boundary-Line Growth Patterns to Determine Disturbance History of Remnant Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) in Mixed Forests of Southeastern Virginia1

• DOI: 10.3159/08-ra-024r.1
• Publication Date: 2008-12-05T23:01:21Z
• Authors: Arvind A. R. Bhuta; Lisa M. Kennedy; Carolyn A. Copenh...; Philip M. Sheridan; James B. Campbell
• Keywords: Swamp; Temperate rainforest; Pine barrens; Old-growth forest; Stand development

Removal of canopy dominant trees in temperate closed-canopy forests due to natural or anthropogenic disturbance may allow for the release co-dominant and sub-canopy into canopy. Historical growth releases these can be reconstructed from analysis their annual rings compared with historical events better understand forest dynamics. We applied boundary-line patterns, a method reconstruction disturbance, annual-ring series longleaf pine two successional sites (Everwoods Seacock Swamp) Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain southeastern Virginia. The somewhat degraded stands were co-dominated by mixed hardwoods loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) after long fire-free history. Our study documented recruitment patterns through age-class distribution (growth releases) using modified version method. Ages all cored individuals at Everwoods (n = 37) ranged 32–184 years (x¯ 53 years), Swamp 32), 56–175 94 years). Longleaf has failed recruit over past decades Everwoods, half-century Swamp, probably increased competition habitat decline absence fire. Boundary-line revealed moderate major pines both that we linked disturbances, such as silvicultural operations (1900s 1930s) logging landowner (early 1950s) Swamp. interpreted extremely low rates dramatic growth-change pulses evidence heavy suppression atypical this species, which been conceptualized shade-intolerant. findings fit other studies have suggested less shade-tolerant than formerly thought, least some areas sites. Applications old-growth second-growth throughout U.S. could help document possible spatial variability histories, responses releases, patterns.