Restoration in the Southern Appalachians

Book excerpt: We address three key questions for restoration ecology in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. First, what is the role of fire, especially when used as a management tool for oak-dominated ecosystems? Second, what is the relationship between early successional habitat and biodiversity? And third, how do we regenerate oak ecosystems? To answer these questions, first, we examine the historic role of fire in the mountains, discuss its effects on forest resources, and summarize a strategy for restoring fire to ecosystems with a long history of fire exclusion. Second, we examine the relationship between early successional habitats and wildlife resources in the mountains, discuss the pattern and rate of natural disturbance, and provide suggestions for creating and maintaining early successional habitat. And third, we review current management for oak regeneration and discuss the implications for oak ecosystems in the absence of management. In addition to addressing current questions in restoration ecology, we provide an extensive bibliography of the scientific literature, especially for fire management. Our goal is to provide a concise and practical summary of the current restoration literature for use by forest planners and managers throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains.