Fuel and vegetation changes in southwestern, unburned portions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, 2003–2019

Abstract Overstory basal area, ericaceous shrub cover ( Kalmia latifolia L. and Rhododendron maximum L.), fuels (i.e., woody fuel loads depths O Horizon thickness) were assessed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, in 2003 − 2004. Due to recent wildfire activity the southern Appalachian Mountain region (including Park), potential spread expansion of shrubs, impacts hemlock woolly adelgid Adelges tsugae Annand) on eastern Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière), these same ecosystem components again 2019. Elevation moisture regime (xeric, intermediate, mesic) included this assessment as influential factors. An evaluation repeated measurements from 40 plots suggested that thickness did not change significantly over 16-year period, but increased elevation increased, (xeric > mesic was a significant, related factor. The sum 1-, 10-, 100-h (fuels less < 7.6 cm diameter) whereas depth decreased period. No significant changes 1000-h (> diameter), total loads, cover, or live T. area observed. Live with increasing elevation. Dead, standing 2003–2019, increase most pronounced xeric intermediate sites. Overall, we found that: 1. hypothesized increases present; 2. observed vegetation condition.