Shortleaf Pine Research Articles

Ecological, political and social challenges of prescribed fire restoration in east Texas pineywoods ecosystems: a case study

Summary The effectiveness of prescribed fire restoration of forested sites in three state parks in east Texas, USA was studied. Two sites consisted of mixed shortleaf (Pinus echinata Mill.) or loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and broadleaf overstoreys. The third site was a longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.)/little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash.) stand. Mid- and understoreys at all sites consisted of a variety of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Prolonged drought resulting in county burn bans prohibited burning until immediately after rain events. Results indicated no effect from the burns in the overstorey, seedling, shrub or herbaceous layers at any park. At two sites, there was a significant increase in the percentage of dead standing saplings in the burn plots from pre- to post-burn. The only significant decreases in fuels were in the weight and depth of combined Oi and Oe horizons (litter). Compliance with burn bans greatly reduced the restorative powers of the burns. Park visitors’ attitudes concerning fire were also examined, indicating a need for education concerning differences between wildfire and prescribed fire, and benefits of prescribed fire.

Fire history of oak–pine forests in the Lower Boston Mountains, Arkansas, USA

Perspective on present day issues associated with wildland fire can be gained by studying the long-term interactions among humans, landscape, and fire. Fire frequency and extent over the last 320 years document these interactions north of the Arkansas River on the southern edge of the Lower Boston Mountains. Dendrochronological methods were used to construct three fire chronologies from 309 dated fire scars that were identified on 45 shortleaf pine ( Pinus echinata) remnants. Fire frequency increased with human population density from a depopulated period (the late 1600s and early 1700s) to a peak in fire frequency circa 1880. Fire frequency then decreased as human population continued to increase. Fire frequency and human population density were positively correlated during an early period (1680–1880) with low levels of population, but negatively correlated during a later period (1881–1910) with high levels of population. We hypothesized that this difference is due to limits on fire propagation and ignition caused by land use and culture, as well as human population density. Relatively high human population densities (>5 humans/km 2) were associated with a peak in the maximum number of fires per decade in this highly dissected, ‘bluff and bench’ landscape compared to less dissected regions of the Ozarks.

Season of Burn Influences Fire Behavior and Fuel Consumption in Restored Shortleaf Pine–Grassland Communities

AbstractPine forests of southeastern United States have been burned primarily in the dormant season to accomplish silvicultural objectives, but with increased emphasis on ecosystem restoration fires are now prescribed in other seasons. We observed fire behavior during both growing season and dormant season prescribed fires in shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) stands managed as pine–grassland communities for the endangered Red‐cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Fuel beds for dormant season fires were characterized by lower amounts of live fuels, higher amounts of 1‐hr time lag fuel and a greater total fuel load than growing season fires. Fuel consumption and percent of the total fuels consumed was greater in dormant season fires than in growing season fires. Fireline intensity, heat per unit area, reaction intensity, and rate of spread were greater in dormant season fires than in growing season fires. Lower fire intensity in growing season fires was possibly a function of lower amounts of 1‐hr time lag fuels, higher amounts of live herbaceous fuels, and possibly a less porous fuel bed. Additionally, growing season fires had lower heat per unit area and reaction intensity and slower rates of spread. The Keetch‐Byram drought index (KBDI) did not provide a good index for potential fire behavior on our drought‐prone sandy loam soils. KBDI during growing season fires averaged over four times greater than during dormant season fires, but fire intensity was greater in dormant season fires. Low KBDI values may be misleading and give a false sense of security for dormant season fire prescriptions on sandy loam soils because the duff layer may dry more quickly as a result of inherent low water holding capacity. High KBDI values may result in prescribed burns being canceled because of conditions that are erroneously perceived to be outside the prescription window. We caution against over‐reliance on KBDI as a determining factor for conducting prescribed burns on areas with sandy or sandy loam soils.

Developing a system of annual tree growth equations for the loblolly pine – shortleaf pine type in Louisiana

An individual tree growth modeling system was developed for the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) – shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) forest type in Louisiana using USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. In this study, the loblolly pine – shortleaf pine forest type was divided into three species groups: loblolly pine, other pines, and hardwoods. The growth system includes models for individual tree survival, diameter growth, height growth, and change in crown ratio for each of the three species groups. A multivariate extension of a two-step, model-based interpolation method is proposed to estimate parameters of annual tree growth equations based on measurements from 7-year growth periods. Results based on evaluation statistics such as mean difference, mean absolute difference, and fit index show that the two-step interpolation method is clearly superior to the averaging method, which is a typical linear interpolation method. The two-step method produced growth equations that project tree and plot attributes more accurately than the averaging method. Additionally, a Monte Carlo simulation analysis reveals that parameter estimates obtained from the two-step method are closer to the true parameter values than those from the averaging method. The approach described here should be useful for estimating parameters of other systems of annual tree growth equations from periodic measurements. Models such as the one presented here may be useful for projecting the characteristics of undisturbed forest inventory plots, e.g., FIA plots, and providing more up-to-date inventory estimates.

Northern Bobwhite Population and Habitat Response to Pine-Grassland Restoration

We compared northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) abundance and habitat characteristics in unmanaged mixed shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)-hardwood stands and restored pine-grassland stands managed for the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) on the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas, USA. To determine northern bobwhite (hereafter, bobwhite) population response in untreated control, thinned, and thinned and burned stands either 1, 2, or 3 growing seasons (Mar to mid-Oct) post-burn, we used whistling-male counts and covey-call counts as indices of population abundance. We estimated woody stem density, understory and overstory canopy cover, conifer and hardwood basal area, and the disc of vulnerability to characterize habitat response. Relative abundance of whistling males in the spring was greatest in thinned stands 3 growing seasons post-burn and in thinned but unburned stands. These stands had the smallest disc of vulnerability and the greatest understory shrub cover <2 m in height compared with other treatments. A threshold-like increase in bobwhite abundance was observed as a function of woody structure <2 m. Pine-grassland restoration provided suitable structure for bobwhites in spring, summer, and fall, but may not be adequate in winter. Further, data suggested that bobwhite density within a stand also was related to the amount of suitable habitat surrounding the stand. Bobwhite management efforts in similar shortleaf pine forests should include thinning to reduce midstory and overstory cover and frequent fire to maintain open woodland conditions-i.e., low basal area stands with limited midstory.

Reference Conditions for Old-Growth Pine Forests in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain

DON C. BKAGG (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station). Reference conditions for old-growth pine forests in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain. J. Torrcy. Bot. Sot. 129: 261-288. 2002.-Ecosystem restoration has become an important component of forest management, especially on public lands. Howeber, determination of manageable reference conditions has lagged behind the interest. This paper oresents a case studv from Dine-dominated forests in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain NJWGCP), with special . . emphasis on southern Arkansas. Decades of forest management, fire exclusion, exotic species invasion, and other ecological changes have converted the small remnants of mature shortleaf (Pirius echirm/cl Mill.) and loblolly pine (Pinus trteda L.) stands into ineffectual models for restoring presettlement-like conditions. However, sufficient information can be gathered from available references to more reliably describe the boundaries of the desired reference environment. Early explorer accounts, maps, survey records, historical trade and technical publications, and modern scientific journals were consulted to reconstruct presettlement (pre1900) forest conditions for pine-dominated landscapes of the UWGCP On average, virgin UWGCP pine forests had considerably more shortleaf pine (especially in the uplands) than contemporary natural stands, with relatively low basal area and standing volume concentrated in large trees. Presettlement pine timber also had less uniform structural and spatial patterns than modern examples of mature pine. Assuming most of the critical processes ilre still present, it appears possible to recreate the compositional and structural attributes of virgin pine forests.

ARE PILEATED WOODPECKERS ATTRACTED TO RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER CAVITY TREES?

Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) cause damage to Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) cavity trees in the form of cavity enlargement or other excavations on the surface of the pine tree. However, it is not known whether Pileated Woodpeckers excavate more frequently on Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity trees than on noncavity trees or how stand structure is related to the frequency of Pileated Woodpecker excavation. Also, it is unclear whether the cavity itself provides the stimulus to Pileated Woodpeckers to excavate or whether the presence of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and their activities are attracting them. We surveyed all of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity trees (n = 202) and 110 control trees in the loblolly (Pinus taeda)-shortleaf (P. echinata) pine habitat on the Angelina National Forest for recent Pileated Woodpecker excavation and found that approximately 7.4% of all cavity trees were damaged while no control trees showed any evidence of Pileated Woodpecker damage. The rate of Pileated Woodpecker excavation was negatively associated with hardwood midstory height and density. Pileated Woodpeckers appeared to focus most of their excavations on Red-cockaded Woodpeckers cavity entrances. We suggest that Pileated Woodpeckers may be attracted to Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity trees, especially the cavity, and that midstory removal used to improve Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat may increase the incidence of damage to the cavity trees by Pileated Woodpeckers in the current fragmented landscape.

AVIAN COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN PINE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION FOR RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS

The effects of Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) management on nontarget birds is not widely known. Intensive management for pine specialists such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker may negatively impact both Nearctic-Neotropical and Temperate Zone migrants associated with hardwood vegetation. To evaluate possible positive and negative associations, we surveyed avian communities from 1995–1997 using point counts within managed Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity tree clusters and mature forest control sites in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and loblolly (P. taeda)-shortleaf (P. echinata) pine habitats. In general, sites managed for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers supported more diverse and numerous bird populations than mature forest control sites. During the breeding season in loblolly-shortleaf and longleaf pine habitats, respectively, species richness was 47% and 23% greater, avian abundance was 57% and 65% greater, and bird species diversity was 25% and 21% greater within managed Red-cockaded Woodpecker cluster sites than within control sites. During winter, species richness and avian abundance each were 52% higher within managed Red-cockaded Woodpecker cluster sites than control sites in loblolly-shortleaf pine habitat.

Does Prescribed Burning Have a Place in Regenerating Uneven-Aged Loblolly-Shortleaf Pine Stands?

Abstract Before the 1981 growing season, a study was installed in southeastern Arkansas to examine the effects of three dormant-season burn intervals (low, moderate, and high frequency) and an unburned treatment on natural regeneration in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda andP. echinata, respectively). Merchantable pine basal areas were maintained by harvesting on a 5 or 6 yr cutting cycle. When the study began, hardwoods greater than 1 in. dbh were injected with herbicide on all plots. During the next 19 yr, there were eight high frequency, four moderate frequency, and three low frequency prescribed burns. In 1991, the unburned plots received a single, broadcast-herbicide treatment. Single-tree selection harvests were conducted in 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1997. Through 1999 (19 yr), herbicides applied at 10 yr intervals were more effective than dormant-season burns for enhancing the growth of submerchantable pines. Although recurring winter burns tended to stop the progression of both pines and hardwoods from seedling to sapling size classes, the data suggest that properly timed dormant-season burns might be used to secure natural pine regeneration in selection management. South. J. Appl. For. 26(3):117–123.

Influence of hardwood midstory and pine species on pine bole arthropods

Arthropod density on the boles of loblolly pines ( Pinus taeda) was compared between a stand with and stand without hardwood midstory and between a stand of loblolly and shortleaf pines ( P. echinata) in the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest, Nacogdoches Co., Texas, USA from September 1993 through July 1994. Arthropod density was greatest ( t=5.67, 10 d.f., P<0.001) in an open pine stand nearly devoid of hardwood midstory than in a pine stand with dense hardwood midstory. Loblolly pine had greater ( t=2.34, 10.9 d.f., P=0.040) arthropod densities than shortleaf pine. Vegetative characteristics within a pine stand rather than bark rugosity appear to be the dominant factor determining arthropod density on the boles of pines. The red-cockaded woodpecker ( Picoides borealis) should benefit from greater abundances of arthropods on the boles of pines particularly during the nesting season. In order to provide prime foraging habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker, land managers should consider the vegetative community structure within foraging habitat.

Paternal chloroplast inheritance patterns in pine hybrids detected with trnL-trnF intergenic region polymorphism.

The inheritance patterns of the chloroplast genomes of shortleaf pine ( Pinus echinata Mill.), loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm.) were investigated through the trnL-trnF intergenic spacer polymorphism analysis. The DNA sequences of this spacer differ among these three closely related Pinus species. A modified 'cold' PCR-SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) analysis of this spacer shows that the artificial hybrids (F1) from the shortleaf pine (seed parent) x loblolly pine (pollen parent) cross, exhibit the loblolly pine profile. Additionally, nine putative hybrids between shortleaf pine and loblolly pine, previously identified by the IDH (Isocitrate dehydrogenase) allozyme marker, presented the shortleaf pine profile indicating that shortleaf pine, not loblolly pine, sired all of the putative hybrids. Nondenatured polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the trnL-trnF intergenic spacer demonstrated that the artificial hybrids (F1) from the cross, slash pine (seed parent) x shortleaf pine (pollen parent), present the shortleaf pine profile. Those results confirmed that the chloroplast genome is paternally inherited in these three species of the genus Pinus. The significance of the trnL-trnF intergenic region polymorphism and our modified 'cold' SSCP protocol for population genetic studies is discussed.

Does the availability of artificial cavities affect cavity excavation rates in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers?

Rates of cavity excavation by Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) were examined from 1983 to 1999 on the Angelina National Forest in east Texas. We compared the rate of natural cavity excavation between 1983 and 1990 (before artificial cavities were available) with the rate of cavity excavation between 1992 and 1999, a period when artificial cavities were regularly installed within active woodpecker cavity-tree clusters. Our comparison was restricted to cavity-tree clusters in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and loblolly (P. taeda)-shortleaf (P. echinata) pine habitats where woodpecker groups were present for the entire period between 1983 and 1999. Excavation rate of new cavities was significantly higher in longleaf pine habitat when artificial cavities were not available than during the subsequent period when artificial cavities were provided in all active cavity-tree clusters. In loblolly-shortleaf pine habitat, we did not detect a significant difference in the rate of new cavity excavation between the periods before and after the use of artificial cavities. We attribute the difference in results between habitats to a relative scarcity of cavities in loblolly-shortleaf pine sites due to a higher bark beetle-induced cavity tree mortality.

Potential carry-over of seeds from 11 common shrub and vine competitors of loblolly and shortleaf pines

Many of the competitors of the regeneration of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda L. and Pinus echinata Mill., respectively) develop from seed disseminated on the site after reproduction cutting or from the seed bank. To evaluate the potential carry-over of the seeds from 11 shrub and vine competitors of these two important southern pines, we designed packets so that fruits could be deposited on the forest floor and subsequently extracted over a 3-year period. After extraction, repeated cycles of 60 days of germination testing followed by 60 days of stratification were conducted over a maximum of 42 months to determine the potential for seed carry-over and the germination characteristics of the species. Seeds of privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.) showed no viability after the first winter of field storage, while seeds of rattan vine (Berchemia scandens (Hill) K. Koch) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) had low viability (1–3%) after the third year. In contrast, seeds of smooth sumac (Rhus glabra L.), devils-walkingstick (Aralia spinosa L.), pepper vine (Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Koehne), and blackberry (Rubus argutus Link) were moderate in viability (7–19%) after the third year of field storage, while seeds of beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.), common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia L.), and summer grape (Vitis aestivalis Michx.) showed a high viability (31–55%). Cumulative germination of seeds of deciduous holly (Ilex decidua Walt.) was greater after 3 years of field storage (8%) than after only 1 year (4%); for the first removal from field storage, no germination occurred until the ninth germination cycle. Results indicate that new seedlings of some species of shrubs and vines rely mostly on seeds dispersed shortly before or after disturbance, while seedlings of other species appear to develop from seeds that have been stored for long periods in the seed bank. Results of this study can be useful in developing ecologically sound strategies for controlling competing vegetation in forest stands of the southeastern United States.

Impacts of Shortleaf Pine-Hardwood Forest Management on Soils in the Ouachita Highlands: A Review

Abstract Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) is the most ecologically and economically important tree species in the Ouachita Highlands of the southcentral United States. This species can occur in relatively pure stands but most frequently exists in mixed stands with various hardwood species. Because of the diversity of land ownership, public concerns about forest management, and increased intensity of forest practices, the Ouachita Highlands have been a focal point for numerous research projects over the past 20 yr that have studied how forest management affects soils. We summarized information in four fundamental areas: (1) compaction, (2) soil loss, (3) organic matter, and (4) nutrients to better evaluate if and to what degree management practices such as harvesting and prescribed fire modify the productivity and sustainability of soils in this region. The review indicated that soils with less than 15% rock content or sandy loam textures were susceptible to compaction when harvested during wet weather conditions. Although partial harvesting techniques, such as single-tree or group selection, tended to reduce overall soil disturbance in a stand, it increased soil compaction on primary skid trails by concentrating traffic on fewer skid trails. Compaction on skid trails frequently elevated bulk density to levels that could reduce regeneration success or seedling growth. Using current harvesting systems, soil losses and displacement to streams after harvesting appeared to have little or no effect on long-term soil productivity. Harvesting and prescribed fires significantly altered nutrient and organic matter contents of the forest floor and mineral soil. However, recovery of these nutrient or organic pools often occurred rapidly after these cultural practices occurred. Little information was available for determining how repeated silvicultural practices over multiple rotations would affect long-term soil productivity in the Ouachita Highlands. South. J. Appl. For. 26(1):43–51.

Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S region of nuclear ribosomal DNA in Pinus taeda L. and Pinus echinata Mill.

The 615-bp nucleotide sequences of the first partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1), 5.8S rDNA and ITS-2 region from Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) and Pinus echinata Mill. (shortleaf pine) are reported. The two pine species show the same nucleotide sequences in this region, which indicates their close phylogenetic relationship. However, our reported nucleotide sequence in this region from shortleaf pine is different from the previous report for shortleaf pine in GenBank (accession number: AF037016). Our PCR-RFLP analysis of this region confirms our sequencing data. This correction is important for pine phylogenetic studies because it is located in the conserved 5.8S rDNA region.

Development of a protocol for monitoring status and trends in forest soil carbon at a national level

The national Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) program requires protocols for monitoring soil carbon contents. In a pilot study, 30 FHM plots loblolly/shortleaf ( Pinus taeda L./ Pinus echinata Mill.) pine forests across Georgia were sampled by horizon and by depth increments. For total soil carbon, approximately 40% of the variance was between plots, 40% between subplots and 20% within subplots. Results by depth differed from those obtained by horizon primarily due to the rapid changes in carbon content from the top to the bottom of the A horizon. Published soil survey information overestimated bulk densities for these forest sites. The measurement of forest floor depths as a substitute to sampling did not provide reliable estimates of forest floor carbon. Precision of replicate samples was approximately 10–30% for field duplicates and 5–10% for laboratory duplicates. Based on national indicator evaluation criteria, sampling by depth using bulk density core samplers has been recommended for national implementation. Additional procedures are needed when sampling organic soils or soils with a high percentage of large rock fragments.

Day-Roost Characteristics of Northern Bats in Mixed Mesophytic Forest

Management of forests to promote habitat needs of bats requires information on all life requisites of each species. Data on roosting habitat of northern bats (Myotis septentrionalis) is limited for eastern deciduous forests. We radiotracked 13 adult female and 2 adult male northern bats as they used 57 day roosts in mixed mesophytic forest in northeastern Kentucky from 18 May to 5 August 1998. Northern bats used day roosts in 12 species of trees, with sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) each comprising 29.8% (n = 17/57) of the roost trees, respectively. Colonies, >1 northern bat, were predominantly found in cavities of hardwood snags (44.2%, n = 19/43) or under the bark of shortleaf pine snags (32.6%, n = 14/43). Snags possessing sloughing bark with branches absent were more frequently used as roosting sites by northern bats (52.9%, n = 18/34) than any other stage class of snag. Solitary bats were primarily found roosting in cavities of living hardwood trees (92.9%, n = 13/14). Roost trees of northern bats were not distributed equally among topographic locations, with roosts more frequently situated on upper slopes (45.6%, n = 26) and midslopes (38.6%, n = 22) than on lower slopes (15.8%, n = 9). Mean population size of colonies appeared to decline as summer progressed, with pregnant females using the largest colonies (x = 25,6 ± 10.2 bats), lactating females using intermediate-sized colonies (x = 13.5 ± 2.98 bats), and post-lactating females using the smallest colonies (x = 3.8 ± 1.66 bats). These data suggest that forest management practices that sustain diversity in tree species, tree-size class (3.1-55.8 cm dbh), and snag-condition class (stages 3 and 4) are necessary to provide habitat for northern bats in mixed mesophytic forests.

Estimating parameters for tree basal area growth with a system of equations and seemingly unrelated regressions

A method was developed for estimating parameters in an individual tree basal area growth model using a system of equations based on dbh rank classes. The estimation method developed is a compromise between an individual tree and a stand level basal area growth model that accounts for the correlation between trees within a plot by using seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) to estimate the restricted parameters. Previously, basal area growth has been modeled on either the stand or the individual tree level. Individual tree models have usually disregarded the regression assumption of independent error terms. Violation of the regression independence assumption may lead to serious underestimation of the mean square error (MSE) and standard error(s) of the parameter estimate(s). The SUR parameter estimation technique has been shown to provide a gain in efficiency for parameter estimation when the error terms for a system of equations are correlated. The data are from an ongoing natural even-aged shortleaf pine growth and yield study being conducted by the USDA Forest Service and Oklahoma State University Department of Forestry for the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests. The basal area growth model based on SUR estimation using a system of four equations (Model 2) corresponding to four dbh rank classes within a plot was compared with a basal area growth model (Model 1) using ordinary least squares (OLS) parameter estimation. The calibration, validation, and complete data set results reveal that Model 2 has a better fit index (FI) and MSE, but that Model 1 has a smaller absolute average error. Model 2 accounts for partial tree interdependency within a plot and consequently should more accurately estimate the parameter standard errors.

Secondary forest succession following reproduction cutting on the Upper Coastal Plain of southeastern Arkansas, USA

To contribute to an understanding of forest management on secondary forest succession, we conducted vegetation surveys in a chronosequence of pine stands ranging in age from 1 to 59 years. Adjacent areas were compared at 1, 7, 12, and 17 years following two reproduction cutting methods (clearcuts or pine seed-tree cuts); a 59-year-old pine stand that was periodically thinned was also included to represent conditions before reproduction cutting. Because average or better natural loblolly and shortleaf pine ( Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Mill.) seed crops coincided with the planned site disturbances, pines dominated the seedling-size classes at 1 and 7 years after reproduction cutting, the sapling-size classes at 7, 12, and 17 years after reproduction cutting, and the small- and large-tree size classes at 12, 17, and 59 years after reproduction cutting. For seedling-size classes, three measures of woody plant diversity (Shannon’s ( H′), Simpson’s ( D), and evenness ( e) indices) tended to increase from 1 to 12 years after reproduction cutting. In the sapling-size classes, H′ and D diversity indices were highest at 17 years and lowest at 59 years after reproduction cutting. For small-tree size classes, H′, and D were highest at 7 years and lowest at 12 years after reproduction cutting. Across all but the large-tree size classes, woody species richness peaked 7 years after reproduction cutting. Naturally regenerated pines achieved complete crown closure by 17 years after reproduction cutting; consequently, the presence of shade-tolerant woody plants increased in the understory, and shade-intolerant herbaceous plants disappeared from the forest floor.

Home-range Size and Habitat Selection of Female Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Arkansas

Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in the Ouachita Highland Province of westcentral Arkansas have some of the largest reported home ranges for this subspecies. Previous research on wild turkeys has generally attributed large home-range size to forage abundance or quality. However, limitations in reproduction by wild turkeys in the Ouachitas may influence home-range size and habitat selection. To discern factors governing home-range size, I examined habitat use by 54 female wild turkeys from 1993 to 1996. Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and mixed pine–hardwood sawtimber were selected over other overstory cover types, whereas blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum) and white oak (Quercus alba) were favored in the understory. Mean fixed kernel home-range size during the breeding season was 18.9 km2, the largest reproductive period home range reported for the eastern subspecies. Home-range size varied as a function of age, body mass, reproductive status and the structure of selected habitats. Subadult females occupied larger home ranges (x̄ = 32.0 km2, se = 7.0) than adult females (16.3 ± 1.7 km2) and moved greater distances between nest sites in subsequent years (8.9 ± 1.8 km vs. 2.4 ± 1.1 km, respectively). After removing effects of age, heavier females occupied smaller home ranges than lighter females. Nesting individuals occupied less area than non-nesters, and female turkeys that occupied smaller areas avoided stands of seedlings and saplings in favor of mature poletimber. Taken together, effects of physiological condition and experience influenced home-range size in female wild turkeys in westcentral Arkansas.