Frequency and season of prescribed fire affect understory plant communities in longleaf pine stands
This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.Abstract
Prescribed fire research on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana spanned the last 7 decades and led to a greater understanding of fire behavior and the importance of fire in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stands. Early research focused on management of the bluestem (Andropogon spp. and Schizachyrium spp.) range for livestock forage. Because of its tolerance to fire, range burning favored longleaf pine over other woody plants making the establishment of pure longleaf pine stands possible once feral hogs were controlled and other livestock placed under management. Through its continued application, fire greatly influenced the production and composition of the overstory and midstory plant communities, and both the frequency and season of prescribed burning affected herbaceous plant production. The importance of frequency and season of prescribed burning is discussed using both past and recent research results.