Fire Ecology and Fire Management of Southeastern Coastal Plain Pine Ecosystems

Southeastern pineland ecosystems fall into two broad groups: ecosystems with a grassy understory that depend on frequent low-intensity fires to maintain structure and biodiversity [longleaf (Pinus palustris), south Florida slash (P densa), shortleaf (P echinata)], and ecosystems with a shrubby understory that bunt less frequently with higher intensity [pond pine (Pinus serotina) pocosin, sand pine (Pinus clausa) scrub]. We review the fire ecology and management of these ecosystems, covering weather, climate, fuels, and fire; historical fire regimes; fire associated tree mortality; fire dependency and postfire recovery; wildlife response to fire; and fire and ecological restoration. Finally, we discuss likely impacts of future climate changes and mitigation strategies. Maintaining fire frequency appropriate to each ecosystem and utilizing all burn opportunities will be even more critical in an era of climate change.