Estimation of above ground biomass in a hurricane-impacted Coastal Plain forest

Abstract

This paper describes one phase of a long-term study on the role of fire in post-hurricane forest plant community dynamics. Two years after Hugo but prior to initiation of fire regime treatments, the biomass complex within the 75-ac study area on the heavily damaged Santee Experimental Forest in South Carolina was assessed using a variety of techniques to establish preburn data baselines. Overall, downed woody debris comprised the largest biomass component at 57.8% of the total, followed by forest floor (16.3%), living residual trees (15.0%), dead residual trees (8.1 % ), and regeneration layer vegetation (2.8 % ). Detailed quantitative pre-treatment descriptions characterize biomass distribution and document variation in post-hurricane vegetative structure and fuel characteristics, and will permit assessments of nutrient pool variation among treatment plots. These baselines will allow for more sensitive testing and evaluation of fire effects on the development of plant communities following devastating hurricanes.

Citation

Myers, Richard K.; Van Lear, David H.; Lloyd, F. Thomas. 1992. Estimation of above ground biomass in a hurricane-impacted Coastal Plain forest. In: Proceedings at the Seventh Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference; 1992 Nov. 17-19; Mobile, AL: 189-196.