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.
New study: Mitigating hurricane damage in pecan
Pecan orchards are a vital part of southern Georgia’s working landscapes, but recent hurricanes have caused severe losses to growers. In a post-storm field study, our lab surveyed over 1,100 trees across 11 orchards following Hurricane Idalia to understand patterns of wind damage. We found that intermediate-sized trees were most vulnerable and that orchard age structure plays a key role in storm resilience. These findings provide a foundation for climate-smart practices that can reduce risk and improve long-term sustainability.
Webinar: Future directions for hurricane disturbed forests
This webinar features a panel of experts in silviculture, forest economics, management, and disturbance to discuss challenges and opportunties for resarch and outreach related to hurricane disturbaed forests.
Featured speakers include Dr. Christine Cairns Fortuin, Dr. Jeffery Cannon, Dr. Robert Chastain, Dr. Michael Crosby, Dr. Jesse Henderson, Dr. Bruno Kanieski da Silva, Dr. Adam Polinko, and Dr. Shaun Tanger.
New study: Protecting planted longleaf pine from severe winds
Planted stands of longleaf pine contribute to landscape-scale restoration of the ecosystem and the imperiled species it harbors. Yet frequent severe winds from hurricanes occur throughout its range. We surveyed planted stands of longleaf pine in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. We found that damage increased with forest fragmentation and stands with increased taper were most resistant
MS opportunity: Disturbance interactions and tree mortality
The Landscape Ecology lab is teaming up with Dr. Timothy Shearman from Auburn University to recruit a motivated MS student to study how repeated prescribed fire influences mortality from hurricanes. Applications are due by March 1, 2024! Classwork will be completed at Auburn and fieldwork completed at the Jones Center at Ichauway. Please share this unique opportunity widely!
New grant aims to mitigate hurricane risk to pecan orchards
In a new grant funded by the Natural Resources Conservation service, the Landscape Ecology lab will collaborate with UGA pecan expert Dr. Lenny Wells to address concerns of pecan growers state-wide. Following widespread hurricane damage in the region, this project aims to understand the major drivers of hurricane damage, and make recommendations for hurricane preparedness.
New study: Hurricanes boost reproduction in longleaf pine
Using long-term records of longleaf pine cone production, hurricane tracks, and weather data, a new study has uncovered that hurricanes can boost cone production for two years in the masting species, longleaf pine. The study was led by the Jones Center and the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and published in the journal New Phytologist.
New study: Patterns of hurricane gaps in a longleaf pine landscape
Ecological approaches to forestry seek to emulate aspects of natural disturbances like hurricanes which are a common disturbance in longleaf pine forets. This study used airborne lidar to measure patterns of hurricane-created gaps to offer guidance for application of natural disturbance-based management in landscapes dominated by longleaf pine.
PNAS: New study defines hurricane regimes for North American forests
Hurricanes are a chronic disturbance to many forests. but currently no study defines hurricane regimes for North America. This study uses hurricane models and long-term data to define four distinct hurricane regimes for the region, and discusses how hurricanes may be a useful lens for understanding the distribution of tree species and their traits.
New study: Longleaf pine resilience after Hurricane Michael
A new study led by University of Florida and Landscape Ecology lab alumnus Cody Pope was published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management. The study examined growth of longleaf pine and associated oak saplings for 2 years after hurricane Michael, and found that canopy removal may benefit longleaf pine over competing oak species, indicating that hurricanes may reinforce and stabilize longleaf pine dominace in frequent-fire forests.