Retained woody structure in 1-year-old loblolly pine plantations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas

摘要

I evaluated effects of 4 common site preparation techniques on residual structure while comparing 2 techniques commonly used to estimate CWD volume in Southeast loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) commercial pine plantations in 2 ecoprovinces. The strip plot method (SPM) estimated greater volume than the line intercept method (LIM; 9.7 m3/ha and 11.4 m3/ha respectively). The SPM had lesser volume estimate variability and appears more appropriate for the Southeast. Mechanical sites had the greatest densities of green trees and fewest snag retention and overall were least decayed. Chemical preparation combinations had lesser green tree densities but greater snag densities. Piled CWD volumes were greatest in mechanical treatments and least in chemical plus burn treatments. The Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Forest Ecoprovince had 20% less volume than the Southeastern Mixed Forest Ecoprovince. Chemical plus burn site preparations had the least densities of remnant trees, snags, piled and individual CWD pieces.