Carbon Storage and Phenological Patterns in Longleaf Pine Ecosystems in Southeast Georgia.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems are widely distributed in the southeastern coastal plain and play an important role in environmental quality management and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. To measure the carbon storage potential & phenological patterns of longleaf pine ecosystems, a study was initiated in 2011 at the Charles H. Herty Pines Nature Preserve in Statesboro, GA. The data collection primarily includes measurement of stand characteristics, pattern of litter production, and soil sampling. A total of 200 pine trees were marked and measured for circumference, diameter at breast height (dbh), and tree height. Litter was collected twice monthly starting in July 2011 and measured to obtain dry mass over time (g m^-2 d^-1).  Mean monthly litterfall estimates ranged from as high as 10.5 ± 1.28 g m^-2 d^-1 (November 2011) to as low as 4.01 ± 1.02 g m^-2 d^-1 (December 2011) with expected peaks during the late Fall. Litterfall inputs mostly consisted of leaf materials (ranging from 53 – 85% of total inputs), except for the months of January and February (34 – 38%, respectively). Pine trees measured had a mean circumference of 1.49 ± 0.02 m (dbh = 0.47 ± 0.01 m) and an average height of 31.14 ± 0.46 m. Allometric equations will be used to calculate the aboveground and root biomass in the pine stands. The soil sampling will begin in May 2012 and soils will be analyzed for organic carbon content. Finally, the integrated carbon content from the litter, aboveground biomass, root biomass and soil will provide an overall idea about the carbon storage in the longleaf pine ecosystems. The findings of this study will highlight the contribution of longleaf pine ecosystems to mitigation and environmental quality management in Southeast Georgia and may also have policy implications and significance to future studies.