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Ground-dwelling arthropod association with coarse woody debris following long-term dormant season prescribed burning in the longleaf pine flatwoods of north Florida.

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A 5·year study of long· term (40 years) study plots was conducted on the Osceola National·
Forest in northern Florida to determine how dormant-season fire frequency (annual, biennial,
quadrennial, or unburned) affects ground-dwelling macroarthropod use of coarse
woody debris in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mil1.) forests. Pitfall traps were used to sample
arthropods near logs or metal drift. fences of equallength. Samples were identified to genus
01' the lowest practical taxonomic level. Overall, significantly more arthropods and more
artln.·opod biomass were captured near drift fences than near logs. Similarity of arthropods
captured near logs or drift fences ranged from 64.4% in annually burned plots to 69.2% in
quadrennially burned plot.s, with no signifiCant differences noted.

Citation

Hanula, J.L., Wade, D.D., O'Brien, J.O., Loeb, S.C. 2009. Ground-dwelling arthropod association with coarse woody debris following long-term dormant season prescribed burning in the longleaf pine flatwoods of north Florida. Florida Entomologist 92 (2):229-242.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/33806