Organism
Fire-Adapted Pines
TL;DR
Fire-adapted pines in southeastern US forests are keystone modifiers.
Fire-adapted pines in southeastern US forests are keystone modifiers. These pines have thick bark that tolerates frequent low-intensity fires. The fires kill competing hardwood seedlings, preventing the forest from transitioning to hardwood dominance. By maintaining a fire-adapted ecosystem, the pines create habitat for fire-dependent species - longleaf pine specialists, gopher tortoises, red-cockaded woodpeckers. When fire is suppressed, pines decline, hardwoods invade, and fire-dependent species disappear.
Notable Traits of Fire-Adapted Pines
- Fire tolerance through thick bark
- Maintains fire-adapted ecosystem
- Keystone through disturbance regime maintenance