Examining the Role of Burning and Nitrogen In Longleaf Pine.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Miller) savannas are regulated by fire that is either natural or prescribed by management. These fires serve to control hardwood development and dominance and maintain ground cover and food resources for animals. Suppression of fire can lead to large changes in structure and function of savannas. We designed a study to examine the extent that fire and nitrogen (N) influence productivity and nutrient cycling in a longleaf pine-wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) ecosystem. This study factorialized fire exclusion and N addition, and examines their influence on above and belowground processes.