PANTHER MOUNTAIN FOREST REHAB

Forest restoration in the Southern Appalachians focuses heavily on reestablishing historically dominant ecosystems, particularly oak-hickory forests and fire-dependent mountain pine communities. Oak-hickory forests, once widespread across the region, have declined due to over a century of fire suppression, which allowed shade-tolerant, fire-sensitive species like red maple and blackgum to outcompete fire-adapted oaks and hickories. Without the periodic, low-intensity fires that historically maintained open canopies and promoted regeneration, these hardwood species now struggle to establish under dense shade. Restoration strategies include reintroducing prescribed fire, selectively thinning midstory vegetation to increase sunlight at the forest floor, and in some areas, actively planting or seeding oak and hickory species. Similarly, fire-dependent mountain pine ecosystems—such as shortleaf pine–oak woodlands and ridgeline communities dominated by pitch pine or table mountain pine—have also suffered from fire exclusion. These systems require periodic fire not only to reduce hardwood encroachment but also to trigger the regeneration of species like table mountain pine, which relies on fire to open its serotinous cones. Restoration in these areas often combines prescribed burning with mechanical thinning and, where necessary, the replanting of native pines. Both forest types face additional threats from invasive species, pests, and climate change, making adaptive management essential. Restoring these ecosystems not only enhances biodiversity and wildlife habitat but also reestablishes critical ecological processes and cultural landscapes historically shaped by both natural fire regimes and Indigenous land stewardship.