It is a well-established fact that upon European settlement of the southeastern United States some 30-40 million hectares were dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) in its various ecotypes. Current acreage is estimated at less than 1.5 million hectares, much of that on small parcels and in degraded conditions. In the last few decades vast resources have been devoted to the restoration of this species for its ecological richness. Our bias for longleaf pine evokes a mystical connection to a time past and a longing to regain what we can; however, can we not see the forest for the trees? Is it not possible to utilize some of what currently exits on the landscape to aid in our restoration efforts? Landowners with small parcels often feel excluded from longleaf pine restoration because what they have is too small to seem significant. Can small parcels be impactful? We began a small restoration project in east-central Alabama on a sandy woodlot to establish longleaf pine for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat and aesthetics. Our goal is to work with small landowners to bridge longleaf pine restoration to the entire ecosystem.
Results/Conclusions
Our woodlot was composed primarily of water oak (Quercus nigra) with some dry-site oaks and hickories. In 2013, longleaf pine was planted but two years later most of the seedlings were dead. After a period of re-evaluation, restoration efforts took the perspective of identifying, preserving, enhancing, and managing the on-site species present, with the goal of restoring the site to a xeric oak/hickory savanna.The area’s groundcover is increasing in diversity and the site is increasingly utilized by a colony of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), a pair of loggerheaded shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), a flock of eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), and fostered an increase in population of butterflies, as well as several species of solitary bees and wasps. We very often go about our restoration efforts with the greatest of intentions, but perhaps opportunities exist on the landscape for us to do good work by utilizing what is already out there while starting larger efforts that we must hand off to the rising generation. We hope that this demonstration on a sandy woodlot utilizing often overlooked species encourages those with small holdings to participate in the larger effort.