Tree Mortality following Prescribed Fire and a Storm Surge Event in Slash Pine ( Pinus elliottii var. densa ) Forests in the Florida Keys, USA

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2010 · International Journal of Forestry Research (Print)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/204795· OSTI ID:1198274

Sah, Jay P. ^[1]; Ross, Michael S. ^[2]; Snyder, James R. ^[3]; Ogurcak, Danielle E. ^[4]

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1. Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC), Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA
2. Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC), Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
3. US Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center, Ochopee, FL 34141, USA
4. Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA

In fire-dependent forests, managers are interested in predicting the consequences of prescribed burning on postfire tree mortality. We examined the effects of prescribed fire on tree mortality in Florida Keys pine forests, using a factorial design with understory type, season, and year of burn as factors. We also used logistic regression to model the effects of burn season, fire severity, and tree dimensions on individual tree mortality. Despite limited statistical power due to problems in carrying out the full suite of planned experimental burns, associations with tree and fire variables were observed. Post-fire pine tree mortality was negatively correlated with tree size and positively correlated with char height and percent crown scorch. Unlike post-fire mortality, tree mortality associated with storm surge from Hurricane Wilma was greater in the large size classes. Due to their influence on population structure and fuel dynamics, the size-selective mortality patterns following fire and storm surge have practical importance for using fire as a management tool in Florida Keys pinelands in the future, particularly when the threats to their continued existence from tropical storms and sea level rise are expected to increase.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1198274
• Journal Information: International Journal of Forestry Research (Print), Journal Name: International Journal of Forestry Research (Print) Vol. 2010; ISSN 1687-9368
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Country of Publication: Egypt
• Language: English