New Study: Terrestrial lidar provides accurate and objective measures of crown scorch
A new study from our lab shows that terrestrial LiDAR scanning (TLS) can measure crown scorch in longleaf pine with unprecedented speed and objectivity. TLS provides high-resolution, quantitative estimates of fire-caused crown damage—at least 20× faster than traditional ocular methods. The CrownScorchTLS R package makes these tools accessible for researchers and land managers, enabling more precise, mechanistic studies of fire impacts on forests.
Building hurricane-resilient longleaf pine forests
The Longleaf Leader recently featured our research published in Forest Ecology and Management, which guides how landowners can help longleaf pine forests withstand hurricanes. By managing stand density, encouraging tree taper, and maintaining landscape connectivity, planted longleaf stands can be made more wind-resistant, highlighting practical steps to ensure restoration efforts endure in a hurricane-prone future. Check it out on the Longleaf Alliance website
Scienmag highlights labs work on hurricane threats to Longleaf Pine ecosystems
A new study led by lab post-doc Nicole Zampieri was recently featured on Scienmag. The article highlights our work on quantifying the escalating hurricane risks threatening North America’s iconic longleaf pine ecosystems. This research reveals how intensified hurricane activity and compounded stressors imperil biodiversity-rich coastal savannas. Our work underscores the urgent need for adaptive management strategies to safeguard these vital ecosystems under climate change.
New video highlights lab’s research on water benefits from longleaf pine restoration
Research from the Landscape Ecology and Ecohydrology labs shows shows that restoring open longleaf pine woodlands can boost streamflow—especially during drought. Watersheds with more longleaf cover had up to 92% higher flows in dry years, making this iconic ecosystem a potential ally in the fight against water scarcity. Watch the short video to see how climate-smart forest management can help sustain both forests and freshwater.
New study: Advancing hurricane ecology in endangered systems
Longleaf pine savannas are iconic and endangered ecosystems along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, but intensifying hurricanes pose a growing threat to their persistence. Our team reviewed storm impacts across the longleaf range and found that 85% of remaining habitat experiences tropical storm-force winds every six years. We identified key risk factors—like fire, insects, and salvage logging—that can compound management challenges and delay recovery. This study, published in the journal BioScience highlights the need for climate-informed management strategies that build resilience in the face of increasingly frequent storms.