The Shawangunk Mountains in New York are home to a globally and ecologically rare ridgetop dwarf pitch pine barren. The role of fire in this specific community type is understudied. In April 2016, a 2,027-acre human-caused fire occurred at Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, presenting a unique opportunity to conduct a long-term monitoring study. Twenty-one permanent plots (40.5 m2 per plot) were established, containing a combined total of 523 pitch pines affected by three different burn severities (moderate, high, and very high). Pitch pine vegetative and seedling regeneration, and dominant understory relative abundances were measured during each summer, 2016-2018. In 2018, a complete understory plant survey was conducted. Data taken on each tree included fire severity, resprouting type (basal, epicormic, apical, or none), diameter at root collar, and the presence of new pollen or seed cones. Within each plot, the number of pitch pine seedlings, average duff depth, dominant vegetation species (all vegetation species in 2018) and percent cover, dominant shrub fuel species, shrub fuel height class, and canopy cover class were also recorded.
Results/Conclusions
The total number of trees showing no vegetative regeneration increased from 309 trees (59%) in 2016 to 370 (71%) trees in 2017. By 2018, the 390 trees (75%) showing no resprouting can be assumed dead. Basal regeneration was the most frequently observed regeneration type. However, basal regeneration declined from 2016 to 2018, whereas other regeneration types were more constant. Moderate burn severity plots experienced more vegetative regeneration than high and very high plots each year. Pitch pine apical resprouting was most frequent in the moderate severity plots, while basal resprouting was most frequent in the very high severity plots. Pitch pine seedling regeneration was low, with 53 total seedlings found in 2016, 84 in 2017 and 37 in 2018. 44 vascular plant species were recorded in the understory in 2018. Huckleberry, sheep laurel and lowbush blueberry dominated plots. Rhodora, a NY protected species was found within four plots. No invasive plant species were found. There were no significant differences in understory community composition between different burn severities. Future monitoring will provide valuable insight into how this rare ridgetop dwarf pitch pine barren responds to large, high-intensity fire and will aid in the future management of this unique and dynamic community.