Born to Burn: The Fire Ecology of Longleaf Pines
D. Alex Bowers, Daniel J. Johnson, Lukas Magee, and Raelene M. Crandall
Fire-dependent longleaf pine ecosystems once covered over 37 million hectares across the Southeast. Today, they occupy less than 5% of their historical range due to urban development, land-use changes, and fire suppression. Fire maintains open canopies, supports diverse ground cover species, and facilitates longleaf pine establishment. This publication describes the longleaf pine life cycle, highlighting how each growth stage, from seedling to adult, is adapted to fire. It explores the historical role of fire: both lightning and indigenous peoples sustained frequent burns across these landscapes for millennia. Without regular fire, longleaf pine ecosystems become closed-canopy forests dominated by other species, leading to biodiversity loss and increased wildfire risk. Landowners and fire managers will find practical recommendations for using prescribed fire safely and effectively to manage longleaf pine habitats, promote ecosystem resilience and aid longleaf pine recovery.
