Hidden Costs of Fire Exclusion in Longleaf Pine Forests Linked to Duff And Carbon Management

Abstract

The reintroduction of fire to long-unburned pine ecosystems is a silvicultural tool to restore their ecological and economic value. However, if prescribed fire is used after long periods of fire exclusion, high amounts of duff consumed during fire can result in tree stress and mortality. Prescribed burning with a focus on managing duff has therefore been recommended for mitigating negative impacts on overstory trees when fire is reintroduced. We modeled the economic outcomes of different forest management scenarios related to burning for duff management in even-aged longleaf pine stands. We considered five management scenarios in which we varied prescribed fire use, thinnings, mortality rates, and salvage logging. Our findings indicate that burning for duff management without and with thinnings can be considered the most economically viable strategy ($1593/ha–$966/ha). Study Implications: Prescribed fires after long periods of fire exclusion can consume significant amounts of forest floor duff fuels causing heavy overstory pine mortality. Using prescribed fire with a focus on duff management coupled with early thinning can help restore these ecosystems, sequester carbon, and improve their economic value.