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Disturbance from southern pine beetle, suppression, and wildfire affects vegetation composition in central Louisiana: a case study

Informally Refereed

Abstract

We assessed plant composition and forest succession following tree mortality from infestation of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), associated suppression, and wildfire in two forest types, pine (Pinus spp.) with mixed hardwood and longleaf pine (P. palustris). In this case study, vegetation was assessed in 2003 using methodology and experimental framework established 16 years earlier. We examined changes in vegetation composition from the 1980s to 2003 in each forest stand type and used the Forest Vegetation Simulator to predict forest succession.

Keywords

Cut-and-leave suppression, Forest Vegetation Simulator, loblolly pine, southern pine beetle, wildfire

Citation

Coleman, T.W.; Martin, Alton, Jr.; Meeker, J.R.; Clarke, S.R.; Rieske, L.K. 2010. Disturbance from southern pine beetle, suppression, and wildfire affects vegetation composition in central Louisiana: a case study. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–129. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 15 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/36077