Southern Research Station

Title: Restoring Aristida stricta to Pinus palustris ecosystems on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, U.S.A.

Author: Outcalt, Kenneth W.; Williams, Marcus E.; Onokpise, Oghenekome

Date: 1999

Source: Restoration Ecology. 7(3): 262-270.

Station ID: --

Description: Aristida stricta (wiregrass), a perennial bunchgrass, quickly accumulates dead leaves, which along with the shed needles of Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) provide the fuel for frequent surface fires. Thus, historically, wiregrass played a key role in many longleaf communities where it significantly influenced the natural fire regime and thereby the composition of the plant community. Reestablishment of wiregrass is, therefore, critical to restoring the native understory of Atlantic Coastal Plain longleaf pine ecosystems. This study measured the effects of different site preparations and fertilizer application on the survival and growth of wiregrass seedlings. Two-month-old seedlings were underplanted in existing longleaf pine stands on dry Lakeland soils at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Survival was acceptable at 51 percent after four years, although reduced owing to drought and small seedling size. Survival and growth could both be increased by using older seedlings with an initial height of at least 6 cm. Wiregrass leaves grew quite rapidly and attained an average length of 48 cm in four years on control plots. Basal area growth rate was greater than expected, averaging 40 percent on control treatments and 55 percent on cultivated and fertilized plots.

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Citation

Outcalt, Kenneth W.; Williams, Marcus E.; Onokpise, Oghenekome  1999.  Restoring Aristida stricta to Pinus palustris ecosystems on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, U.S.A..   Restoration Ecology. 7(3): 262-270.