Southern Research Station

Title: Carbon sequestration and natural longleaf pine ecosystems

Author: Meldahl, Ralph S.; Kush, John S.

Date: 2006

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 109-110

Description: A fire-maintained longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem may offer the best option for carbon (C) sequestration among the southern pines. Longleaf is the longest living of the southern pines, and products from longleaf pine will sequester C longer than most since they are likely to be solid wood products such as structural lumber and poles. In addition, a fire-maintained longleaf pine ecosystem supports a productive understory of grasses and herbaceous plants. A study initiated in 1973 to determine the effects of using prescribed fire for hardwood control is being used to assess the amount of C in the overstory, understory vegetation, litter layer, and soils.

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Citation

Meldahl, Ralph S.; Kush, John S.  2006.  Carbon sequestration and natural longleaf pine ecosystems.   Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 109-110