Restoring longleaf pine forest ecosystems in the southern U.S

32.1 Southern forest environment .......................................................................................... ..50 2 32.2 Longleaf pine ecology.. ..................................................................................................... .502 32.2.1 Longleaf pine ecosystems .................................................................................. ..50 2 32.2.2 Ecological significance ........................................................................................ ..50 . 32.3 History of longleaf pine ecosystems.. ............................................................................. .505 32.4 Social and political context ............................................................................................ ..50 6 32.5 Restoration perspectives.. ................................................................................................. .507 32.6 Restoration methods ........................................................................................................ ..50 7 32.6.1 Restoration framework ...................................................................................... ..50 7 32.6.2 Selecting techniques ............................................................................................. .508 32.6.3 Restoration prescriptions.. ................................................................................... .508 32.6.3.1 Xeric and subxeric sandhills dominated by longleaf pine with native understory ........................................................................ ..50 g 32.6.3.2 Xeric and subxeric sandhills dominated by other trees with native understory ........................................................................ ..50 9 32.6.3.3 Xeric and subxeric sandhills without a native understory ............. .510 32.6.3.4 Flatwoods and wet lowlands dominated by longleaf pine with native understory.. ............................................................... .512 32.6.3.5 Flatwoods and wet lowlands dominated by other trees with native understory ......................................................................... .512 32.6.3.6 Upland and montane sites dominated by longleaf pine with native understory ......................................................................... .512 32.6.3.7 Upland and montane sites dominated by other species ................. .513 32.7 Costs and benefits associated with restoration ............................................................. .513 32.7.1 Estimating restoration costs ............................................................................... .513 32.7.2 Benefits of restored longleaf pine ecosystems ................................................. .514