Historical Fire Regimes and Stand Dynamics of Xerophytic Pine–Oak Stands in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Virginia, USA. Issue 2 (7th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lafon, Charles W.; DeWeese, Georgina G.; Flatley, William T.; Aldrich, Serena R.; Naito, Adam T.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the American Association of Geographers. Volume 112:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 409
• Publication Date: 2022-02-07
• Subjects: fire frequency -- fire history -- mesophication -- Pinus pungens -- Pinus rigida; 火灾频率 -- 火灾历史 -- 中生植物化 -- 红松 -- 刚松。; frecuencia de incendios -- historia de los incendios -- mesoficación -- Pinus pungens -- Pinus rigida; Geography -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Geography; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2021.1935206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2469-4452

Abstract

Abstract : Fire-dependent yellow pine ( Pinus ) forests are included within the temperate deciduous forest of eastern North America. These forests, which occupy dry slopes and typically contain xerophytic oaks ( Quercus ), have receded under fire suppression. Understanding historical fire regimes is essential for interpreting and managing these stands. To characterize fire history and vegetation dynamics, we conducted a dendroecological study of fire-scarred trees and age structure in pine stands at four sites in the Appalachian Mountains. Fire interval estimates suggest that before fire suppression began in the early to middle 1900s, fires occurred at approximately three- to eleven-year intervals. Short intervals were probably maintained in part by large-extent fires that spread from sparse ignition points. Fire frequency showed no long-term temporal trend (e.g., no wave of fire) from the middle 1700s through early 1900s despite land–use intensification, including industrial logging and associated wildfires during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fire occurrence was associated with drought at two sites. Age–structure analyses evoke pyrogenic pine–oak communities that predated industrial disturbances and persisted under a regime of frequent, mixed-severity fires that was likely maintained through a positive feedback with the flammable vegetation. Competing species were established under more recent fire suppression, however, and are poised to replace the pines.