In the late 19th century, these virgin timber stands were "among the most sought-after timber trees in the country." Compare that to the sixty five percent of remaining wetlands in the southeast, and the forty three percent of the remaining rainforest in the world, and one can see just how endangered our longleaf pine forest really is. Restored longleaf pine habitat has helped the survival of threatened and endangered species like red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, pine snakes, and dusky gopher frogs. Credit: Geoff Gallice. The longleaf pine and grassland forest of the southern Coastal Plain is among the most endangered ecosystems in North America. In addition, the U.S. Restoring these forests will improve critical wildlife habitat, water quality and resistance to insect and disease infestation. In addition, the U.S. Before European settlement, longleaf pine forest dominated as much as 90,000,000 acres (360,000 km ) stretching from Virginia south to Florida and west to East Texas. These forests represent some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and are home to nearly 600 plant and animal species, including 29 threatened and endangered species. Credit: U.S. But there are also good economic reasons to consider planting longleaf pine. All Rights Reserved, The Long Road to Recovery for the Longleaf Pine. One of the endangered species the longleaf pine supports is the red-cockaded woodpecker, a keystone species that is essential for the survival of 27 other animal species. Its range was defined by the frequent widespread fires that occurred throughout the southeast. Longleaf pine is an evergreen conifer that got its common name for having the longest leaves of the eastern pine species. The trees and the fires both supported a whole host of plants and animals that were adapted to regular, small intensity fires and could grow in the filtered shade of the longleaf. Native Americans maintained this forest because it provided ideal habitat for plants and animals that were useful to them, notably white tailed deer and wild turkeys, made it easier to travel, and kept down the instance of wildfires. Frequent fires kept out other less well-adapted plants and animals, prepared the ground to receive the longleaf pine seeds, and allowed these magnificent trees to dominate the coastal plain of the southeast. We’ve also worked to restore longleaf pine through our Global ReLeaf program. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States, Read our Landowner Guide to Longleaf Pine. This initiative is one of the landscape conservation initiatives that enable NRCS to more effectively address priority natural resource concerns by delivering systems of practice primarily to the most vulnerable lands within geographic focus areas. 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 750Washington, DC 20005, © 2020 American Forests. The disappearance of longleaf forests is primarily the result of lumber production and land-use changes. Its native range once stretched from southern Virginia to east Texas, covering almost 90 million acres. When longleaf pine was in its prime, it was one of the most ecologically important tree species in the southern United States. As a member of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Steering Committee, American Forests has taken a lead role in advocating for Florida’s, Young longleaf pine. priority areas within nine targeted states to ensure significant results. More than 30 threatened and endangered species make the longleaf pine forest their home. A variety of grants are available to promote the planting of longleaf pines, and much information is available to landowners on the proper management to insure their survival. The signing of the Great American Outdoors Act and the introduction of The REPLANT Act provide major legislative successes for national forests. These forest industries supported many communities until the advent of the steam powered saw mill in the latter part of the nineteenth century brought about the their quick destruction.Very little of the original virgin forest still exists, and it is estimated that no more than about three and a half million acres of longleaf pine forest remain in the region, about three percent of the original. We are used to thinking of the rainforests and wetlands as being the most endangered ecosystems on our planet, but did you know that there is an ecosystem right here in South Carolina that is even more at risk? Accelerating Longleaf Pine Restoration CFLR Project, which is committed to improving longleaf forest health across 567,800 acres in Osceola National Forest by 2020. Longleaf pine was once one of the most extensive forest ecosystems in North America, covering an estimated 90 million acres, an area roughly the size of Montana. Longleaf pine was harvested significantly throughout the 19th century, and historical longleaf forests were converted into urban communities, agricultural lands or industrial pine plantations. The Global ReLeaf program depends in part on the support of dedicated members like you. They are more drought resistant than other pine species, more resistant to hurricanes and many insect pests, and provide better quality timber and habitat for bobwhite quail and wild turkey.If you are interested in finding out more about efforts to increase the acreage of longleaf pines check out the Longleaf Alliance website at www.longleafalliance.org. When these trees mature, they could serve as potential habitat for approximately 315 red-cockaded woodpeckers, which would be a nine percent increase from the state’s current population and a 2.25 percent increase from the current national population. Credit: U.S. Most of this increase is happening among large private landowners who are planting the trees for a variety of reasons, one of which is a strong conservation ethic. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. Credit: Bobistraveling/Flickr. The needlelike leaves, which come in bundles of three, can grow up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) long. Jami Westerhold, Esq., writes from Washington, D.C., and is American Forests’ director of forest restoration. [Image Description] A long-leaf pine forest. Birds and mammals feed on the pine’s seeds, foliage and bark; rich communities of insects and wildflowers flourish on the longleaf forest floor. Needles range from seven to 18 inches in length. Its forests hosted nearly 900 different plant species. It is the longleaf pine forest. The destruction of the forest, and more importantly the destruction of the ecosystem, has resulted in twenty nine plants and animals ending up on the federally-listed threatened or endangered species list.Fortunately today there are a number of government and non-profit organizations working to bring back the longleaf pine.
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