Understory restoration in longleaf pine sandhills

Loss of over 98% of the original extent of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) systems has resulted in the need for development of understory restoration techniques. In natural longleaf pine systems recruitment of understory dominant species like wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) likely occurs following opening of the canopy by fire or other localized disturbances. We investigated site preparation and sowing methods for reestablishing dominant understory species in heavily disturbed xeric sandhills. Wiregrass establishment was significantly higher in burned and irrigated plots than in plots that were only burned or were burned and had soil disturbance. However, without irrigation, burned and disturbed sites showed greater establishment than did either treatment alone. Overall, species richness and cover showed the same patterns when irrigation was present, but were higher in disturbed soils without fire when not irrigated. We recommend sowing native seed mix with a hayblower onto areas with light soil disturbance if irrigation is not possible. Subsequent rolling of seed into soil will increase seedling establishment. Mechanical re-establishment of native groundcover in xeric longleaf pine systems is clearly possible.