Effects of fire severity on the herbaceous plant species of xeric pine-oak forests in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Binninger S. 2016. Effects of fire severity on the herbaceous plant species of xeric pine-oak forests in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. National Park Service
Xeric pine-oak forests occur from 300 m to upwards of 1200 m in elevation (Spira, 2011) on dry, exposed slopes, which face south, southwest, or west. They are located in the western part of GRSM. Plant species diversity and herb species abundance in pine-oak forests is low, particularly when there is a high abundance of heath shrubs. Fire suppression has allowed trees that are sensitive to fire but shade-tolerant to thrive, which is preventing the growth of the pine-oak forest type. Much research has been conducted on how fire affects woody species, but not as much has been done on how herbaceous plant species respond to fire. PI will address the following questions: 1. What is the herbaceous plant species abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity found in different post-fire severity zones (none, low, moderate, and high)? 2. Does a specific fire severity allow for the greatest abundance of certain indicator, rare, or otherwise important herbaceous plant species? 3. Is there a relationship between duff layer depth and herbaceous plant species presence and abundance? 4. Can fire severity maps be used to predict herbaceous plant species occurrence?
- Type
- Generic Dataset
- Authors
- Binninger, Sean
- Date of Issue
- 2016-10-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM Permitted Study ID: GRSM-01195, SER, Southeast Region
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities