|
Longleaf pine ecosystems dominated the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States prior to the Industrial Revolution. Most longleaf pine dominated natural communities within the range of the eastern indigo snakes have been lost or degraded by other land uses or fire exclusion. Restoring and maintaining longleaf pine dominated ecosystems preferred by the eastern indigo and the gopher tortoise are the focus of the Land Management Program.
After prescribed fire, photo credit Steve Winters
Fire is the key to restoring the remaining fragments of the longleaf pine ecosystem. The southern United States experiences more lightning than any other part of North America. Historically, in late spring and early summer, particularly in La Niña years, lightning-ignited wildfire burned large areas of the region on a frequent (1-10 year interval) basis. This seasonal phenomenon occurred because sporadic, convective thunderstorms coincided with dry vegetation, and the resultant fires were driven by winds associated with continental fronts. These fires spread until the summer when calm, light winds prevail. Consequently, most of the native flora and fauna, including many wetland species, depend on frequent and seasonal fire to stimulate viable fruiting, and to provide habitat suitable for their survival. Fire is as essential as soil, water, and air to maintaining the savannah character of a naturally-functioning and biologically diverse longleaf pine ecosystem. Today, prescribed fire or controlled burning is applied to mimic this natural process, and mitigate the risks associated with wildfire on the present landscape. The Land Management Program is partnering with public and private landowners throughout the range of eastern indigo snakes by providing the necessary resources to restore this essential process on conservation lands.
Forest before and after prescribed fire, photo credit Steve Winters
Restoration of longleaf pine communities that have been converted for other land uses requires intensive management to make them suitable habitat for eastern indigo snakes. The practice of ecological restoration applies forestry and farming techniques to re-establish the components and function of the native ecosystems. Areas converted for industrial pine that still have fairly intact groundcover and little soil disturbance may only require thinning the trees and reintroducing fire, and phasing in longleaf pine over time. Sites converted to agriculture will require the elimination of non-native plant species using herbicides, collecting site-appropriate native groundcover seed from recently burned sites, ‘drilling’ the seed on the restoration site, and continuous monitoring and treating for re-infestation by non-native plants.
Long leaf pine, photo credit Steve Winters
Once the desired ground cover plant species have become established the judicious application of fire will be initiated to perpetuate those plants and appropriate shrub species and longleaf pine will be planted. Sites in relatively good condition will require vigilant monitoring for infestations of non-native invasive plant species. Feral hog control is also important to habitat management and restoration, and to limit depredation on eastern indigos and young gopher tortoises.
The Land Management Program is also responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure and equipment necessary for conservation activities. Vehicular access is essential for managing fire, executing restoration activities, and exposing people to the environment/resource for education or enjoyment. Roads and trails need constant maintenance to mitigate their deleterious effects to the surrounding natural communities, remain suitable for the use of all the programs and promote efficient and cost-effective resource management. Buildings house employees in remote areas, provide workspace, and are used as a place to store and maintain equipment. Transportation and equipment are essential tools for carrying out all aspects of conservation work.
The Land Management Program is centered at Project Orianne’s Mopani Preserve in Telfair County, Georgia. The preserve serves as its base of operations supporting current projects. For example, Project Orianne is working with the Conecuh National Forest in Alabama, and the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida, to restore the habitat for eastern indigo snake reintroductions sites. We also work with The Nature Conservancy in panhandle of Florida, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, helping to restore sites within the Preserve for eastern indigo snake reintroduction . A portion of the funding provided to restore the TNC Preserve also goes to working with the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership in Florida, also a TNC program, to implement land management practices in Blackwater State Forest. This State Forest abuts Conecuh National Forest, which is also a scheduled reintroduction area. Project Orianne also works with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and many private landowners across the south implementing land management practices that benefit longleaf pine forests, eastern indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises.
|
