Impact of Fire Exclusion and Invasion of Schinus terbinthhifolius on Limestone Rockland Pine Forests of Southeastern Florida
Loope LL and Dunevitz VL. 1981. Impact of Fire Exclusion and Invasion of Schinus terbinthhifolius on Limestone Rockland Pine Forests of Southeastern Florida. SFRC T-645. South Florida Natural Resources Center. Homestead, Florida
Exclusion of fire from stands of Pinus elliottii var. densa on limestone substrates of Dade County in southeastern Florida, results in shading of the understory by native tropical hardwood tree species and eventual elimination of a rich herbaceous, light-requiring understory flora, including endemic and/ or very rare species. The exotic tree Schinus terebinthifolius has extensively invaded most remaining rockland pine forests outside Everglades National Park. Once saplings of the invading Schinus reach 1 m in height, most are able to survive fire. Aided by rapid recovery from fire, Schinus comes to dominate the understory of the stand and hastens the shading out of the herbaceous flora. Prescribed burning of pine stands at 5-year intervals within Everglades National Park has apparently largely prevented establishment of Schinus there. Eventual requirements for pine regeneration as the stands approach maturity may result in application of less frequent, more severe prescribed fires. If such a regime results in the expected accelerated Shinus invasion, use of herbicides on Schinus may be necessary to maintain the native pineland ecosystem.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Loope, Lloyd; Dunevitz, Vicki
- Date of Issue
- 1981-10
- Publisher
- South Florida Natural Resources Center
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- FIRE, PINE, Rockland, Schinus, SFNRCTRS