Flomaton Natural Area (FNA): Demonstrating the Benefits of Fuel Management in an Old-growth Longleaf Pine Ecosystem. Project 01B-3-1-01. Final Report

摘要

Only a few fragments of remnant virgin, old growth longleaf pine stands remain in the Southeast, mostly hidden from easy viewing by the general public. One of the few remaining stands in private ownership is the Flomaton Natural Area; a 25 ha stand located in Escambia County, Alabama. The site is located within the city limits of Flomaton and is in close proximity to an interstate highway. Several landscape level longleaf restoration efforts are also underway on nearby public lands. With a US highway passing through the stand, this relatively small site provides a unique and highly visible opportunity to demonstrate the risks of fire exclusion and the benefits of regular prescribed fire for managing fuels in fire adapted ecosystems. It also provides the opportunity to demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of longleaf pine regeneration for private landowners. This stand of 200+ year-old trees was burned regularly up until 1950 when all burning and fuel management ceased. Since 1995, four, low intensity prescribed fires carefully applied by cooperating partners have greatly reduced the years of unnatural fuel accumulations, and the associated risk of wildfire. The site has also been opened for the potential recovery of its understory structure and associated plant and wildlife components. The sites response to fuel management treatments and the development of interpretative materials are needed to fully capitalize the demonstration value of this site.