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Project ID:

01B-3-1-01

Year:

2002

Date Started:

06/03/2002

Date Completed:

07/31/2006

Title:

The Flomaton Natural Area: Demonstrating the Benefits of Fuel Management and the Risks of Fire Exclusion in an Old-Growth Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

Project Proposal Abstract:

Only a few fragments of remnant virgin, old growth longleaf pine stands remain in the Southeast, mostly hidden from view by the general public. One of the few remaining stands in private ownership (International Paper Corp.) is the Flomaton Natural Area; a 25 ha stand located in Escambia County, Alabama. The site is within the city of Flomaton and in close proximity to an interstate highway. Several landscape level longleaf restoration efforts are also underway on nearby public lands. The site is also within 40 miles of a longleaf experimental forest and a new Fire and Fire Surrogate study site, thus adding to visitor potential to this demo site. Though relatively small, this site provides an opportunity to local private (industrial and non-industrial) landowners and nearby state and federal managers to see the value of fire and fuel management in a fire adapted ecosystem. This stand of 200+ year-old trees was burned regularly up until 1950 when all burning and fuel management ceased. Since 1995, the careful application of four low intensity prescribed fires by cooperating partners has 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 site response to fuel management treatments and the development of interpretative materials are needed to fully capitalize the value of this site.

Principal Investigator:

John S. Kush

Agency/Organization:

Auburn University

Branch or Dept:

School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Co-Principal Investigator	Ralph Meldahl	Auburn University	School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences
Federal Cooperator	Charles McMahon	Forest Service	SRS-GW Andrew Forestry Sciences Lab

Project Locations

Fire Science Exchange Network

South

Level

State

Agency

Unit

Download

Title
Interpretive guidebook for the site.	View
Burn Slowly and Carry a Water Bag: Lessons Learned from Re-Introducing Fire to a Fire-Suppressed Longleaf Pine Stand	View
Stand Dynamics of a Longleaf Pine Restoration Project	View
Presentation at the 4th Regional Longleaf Alliance Conference.	View
Interpretive trail will be constructed. Signs will explain dynamics of the stand.	View
Management Guidelines for Local Managers and Owners	View
A Regeneration Success: Longleaf Pine Seedlings Established in a Fire Suppressed Old-Growth Stand	View
2004 Ecological Society of America Meeting	View
13th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference	View
2005 Second Montane Longleaf Alliance Regional Conference	View
	View
2003 JFSP Principal Investigator Workshop	View
2004 JFSP Principal Investigator Workshop	View