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Abstract
Historical data and the presence of fire-resistant characteristics support the role of fire in the establishment and maintenance of the mixed-oak (Quercus spp.) forests of eastern North America. Following the clear cutting of eastern forests in the 1800’s, fire suppression became a dominant forest management technique. Age and species mosaics declined and forest stand composition shifted, allowing more vigorous and shade tolerant species to dominate. As a result, seedlings in oak-dominated forests became suppressed by vegetative competition, and today oaks are virtually non-existent in the midstory. This shift in species composition has resulted in the economic loss of an extremely valuable hardwood group, and may also impact forest succession rate, wildlife composition and distribution, and watershed characteristics.
Parent Publication
Citation
Adams, Aaron S.; Rieske-Kinney, Lynne K. 1999. The impact of prescribe fire on herbivory levels of understory white oak. In: Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Loftis, David L., eds. 1999. Proceedings, 12th central hardwood forest conference; 1999 February 28-March 1-2; Lexington, KY. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 293 p.
