Plant community structure and composition in uneven-aged stands of loblolly-shortleaf pine at four basal area levels

• Published in: Southern journal of applied forestry Vol. 19; no. 2
• Main Authors: Tappe, P.A. (University of Arkansas, Monticello, AR.), Caine, M.D, Wigley, T.B, Reed, D.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.1995
• Subjects: ARKANSAS; BOSQUES; CARACTERE AGRONOMIQUE; CARACTERISTICAS AGRONOMICAS; COMPOSICION BOTANICA; COMPOSITION BOTANIQUE; FAUNE ET FLORE SAUVAGES; FORET; HABITAT; PINUS ECHINATA; PINUS TAEDA; SOTOBOSQUE; SOUS BOIS; VIDA SILVESTRE
• ISSN: 0148-4419; 1938-3754
• DOI: 10.1093/sjaf/19.2.84

The effects of overstory pine basal area on plant community structure and composition were assessed in uneven-aged stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines (Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Mill.) in southern Arkansas. Basal area treatments were 40, 60, 80, and 100 ft2/ac for the merchantable pine component ( 3.5 in. dbh) and were maintained on a 6 yr cutting cycle using single-tree selection. Assessments of plant communities were made 10 yr after a single hardwood control treatment. The four levels of pine basal area had no effect on percent ground cover of most plants 3 ft tall, but ground cover from graminoids decreased as pine basal area increased. Vertical cover above 10 ft height increased 33% as overstory basal area increased from 40 to 100 ft2/ac, but basal area had no effect on horizontal cover in height zones between 0 and 10 ft. It is concluded that uneven-aged stands of loblolly-shortleaf pine with merchantable basal areas of from 40 to 100 ft2/ac may support similar plant species in the understory and consequently probably provide similar habitat requirements for a variety of game and nongame wildlife