New Hopes for Old Growth

By: Noah Weiser

When imagining vast, biodiverse, tracts of land in the United States it is easy to imagine the expansive rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, the hard-to-reach peaks of the Rocky Mountains, or maybe even the sprawling deserts in Arizona and New Mexico. However, the southeastern United States from Texas to Georgia and Florida up to Virginia can claim a spot on that list . . . or least they used to. This region used to be covered by expansive pine forests and scrubby savannas.

Longleaf pine forests used to cover ninety million acres of land. These forests were once one of the most extensive and biodiverse ecosystems in North America. However due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and land development the area of land covered fell to just 3.2 million acres by the 1990s, only three percent of its original range. In the post-Civil War years, the growth of railroads and land development in the south led to huge tracts of these forests being cut down to make room for farms and factories. Longleaf pine trees were prized for their hardy, durable wood which was also a key construction material because of the long and straight trunks. Additionally, their resin was key in making tar and turpentine. This where North Carolina got its nickname as the “tar-heel state”.

These trees and this ecosystem rely on fire cycles to help clear the land and allow for a more biodiverse ecosystem. Native Americans, colonists, and early settlers all understood the benefits of prescribed and controlled burns in ensuring healthy longleaf pine savannas. After the Civil War and during the twentieth century, fire management was discouraged or prohibited. One of the issues with protecting and regulating these forests is that compared to west of the Mississippi River, where much of the land is public or owned by the Federal Government, eighty-six percent of forestland in the Southeast is privately owned. Local organizations, government agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Defense, and private individuals have begun working together to address the issues facing longleaf pine forests and work towards restoring this unique ecosystem.

Longleaf pines have evolved to the demands of the climate in the Southeast. They are better adapted to the high winds of severe thunderstorms and hurricanes, they are drought resistant, and are more resistant to pests like pine beetles and other pathogens. Furthermore, they provide habitats for endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Florida scrub jay which is endemic to the longleaf pine forests. The gopher tortoise also lives in these forests which is considered a keystone species because over 350 species depend on their burrows for shelter. Another unique and keystone species found in this area is the eastern indigo snake which is the longest snake in North America. These snakes are natural predators of venomous snakes and help keep other species’ population numbers in check. It is not just animals that rely on longleaf pines, but humans too. People are starting to understand the impact these forests have in combatting and regulating climate change. This is why steps are being taken to restore these forests and find a balance between economic and ecological needs.

Since the late 1990s government agencies, community organizations, and private individuals have been working together to restore this ecosystem. Restoration is a great way for carbon sequestration and can make the Southeast more resilient to climate change. Currently The Nature Conservancy has protected 24,000 acres of longleaf pine forests near Fort Bragg, North Carolina and similar efforts are underway in Georgia and Mississippi. As of 2010, over $700,000,000 was spent on restoration and community groups aim to restore over 8,000,000 acres by 2040.

Planting saplings is one thing, maintenance and follow up management takes lots of time and resources. Other plants can grow faster than longleaf pines, the longleaf pines are especially at risk to herbicides, illegal logging, and land development which all threaten the work that has been accomplished. However, the people working to restore the landscape are aware of the balance of needs and have been working with local businesses to find a balance between forest sustainability and conservation with timber sales. Private landowners will also harvest the pine needles on the forest floor to sell as high-end pine straw. Clearing the forest floor helps open up area for new longleaf pine growth.

One of the best ways that helps these forests is the practice of controlled burns. These trees need regular fires to thrive. Prescribed burns also help reduce the risk of far more carbon intensive wildfires because prescribed burns routinely clear out dead trees, plants, and other organic material. A recent study found that longleaf restored and maintained forests can store twenty percent more carbon than unmanaged forests. Ecosystems are not static, people working to restore these forests are trying to manage a healthier and more resilient landscape that balances the needs of the growing population and climate change.

Due to government and community intervention, longleaf pine forests are slowly making a comeback. Fire is seen as a natural aid and regulator in healthy forests which this ecosystem depends on to grow. These trees are also effective in mitigating climate change and maintaining biodiversity in the region. While the forests may never be able to recover their original range because of human development, the current progress is encouraging.