Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) restoration guide for East Bank Claiborne and McDuffie landing areas near Franklin, Alabama
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2019

Includes bibliographical references.

This work began as a guide to improve and expand existing Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) populations on a 728-acre site owned and operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Central Alabama. It has evolved to consider a proposed alternate site and also provides broad recommendations for Longleaf restoration within the general study area. The intent of this plan is to restore degraded habitat which is currently affected by the absence of fire, the encroachment of Loblolly (Pinus taeda) and Shortleaf (Pinus echinata) pines, and the presence of several invasive plant species. Generally speaking, the process will begin by reintroducing fire to the desired site on a limited basis, followed by planting Longleaf pine seedlings and establishment of a fire rotation that mimics the natural regime of southern pine ecosystems. This is a multi-faceted project with several goals. First, should land managers choose to undertake Longleaf restoration, it will provide an ecological service by adding to existing Longleaf populations and restoration efforts an ecological service by adding to existing Longleaf populations and restoration efforts in the region while reducing habitat fragmentation and guarding against the threat of long-term decline. Second, it provides me with the opportunity to expand my professional skill set by creating a comprehensive restoration guide. Other goals include environmental education opportunities in the form of interpretive walks or signage, as well as the creation of a standalone Longleaf Management Plan for use by my employer, the Corps of Engineers.