Southern Research Station

Title: The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem of the South

Author: Outcalt, Kenneth W.

Date: 2000

Source: Native Plants Journal, Volume 1, Number 1.

Station ID: --

Description: Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill. [Pinaceae]) was the most prevalent pine type in the southern US Stands of longleaf were also habitat for a vast array of plant species. Decades of timber harvest followed by conversion to agriculture, urban development, or to other pine species, have reduced longleaf dominated areas to less than 5% of its original range. This paper discusses the habitat and history of this one vast resource, outlining its key role as an integral part of native plant communities.I also focus on the more recent recognition of the ecological importance of longleaf pine ecosystems. This appreciation, along with advances in technology and additional information, are combining to reverse the long-term trend and should help ensure that longleaf communities remain as a viable and valuable part of the South's heritage.

Keywords: restoration, wiregrass, fire, bluestem

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Citation

Outcalt, Kenneth W.  2000.  The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem of the South.   Native Plants Journal, Volume 1, Number 1.