1. Fire Regimes and Successional Dynamics of Yellow Pine (Pinus) Stands in the Central Appalachian Mountains Charles W. Lafon Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Henri D. Grissino-Mayer Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Elaine K. Sutherland Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service Steve Q. Croy George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Georgina D. Wight Department of Geography, University of Tennessee Serena R. Aldrich Department of Geography, Texas A&M University Research funding provided by the National Interagency Fire Center, Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)

2. Justification

3. Background to Fire History from Tree Rings

9. Climate Drivers of Wildfires

10. Location of Brush Mountain Study Site

11. Margaret M. Moore, Connie A. Woodhouse, John Kush, Wally Covington, Tim Plumb Sally P. Horn, Laurie Huckaby, Elaine K. Sutherland, Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, Richard Kerr

14. Preliminary Fire History (1993 study)

15. Preliminary Age Structure (1993 study)

16.  Between 1850—1950, fires were frequent, occurring on average once every 10 yrs.  Major fire events (determined by the number of samples scarred) occurred in 1882, 1883, 1893, 1900, 1910, 1926, and 1934.  No major fire event since 1934 indicated increased fuel accumulations and possible changes in fire regimes.  Most 20 th fires occurred during years of severe droughts (PDSI < -2.0).  Establishment dates for most of our trees indicated major regeneration pulse following a fire in 1853. Major Findings:

17. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003

18. Brush Mountain

19. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Brush Mountain

20. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Brush Mountain

21. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 North Mountain

22. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 North Mountain

23. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 North Mountain

24. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Mill Mountain

25. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Mill Mountain

26. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Reddish Knob

27. Current Research: Sites Sampled in 2003 Reddish Knob

28. Fire History: Brush Mountain (preliminary)

29. Fire History: North Mountain (preliminary)

30. Age-class Distribution for Trees on Brush Mountain

31. Age-class Distribution for Trees on Mill Mountain

32. Age-class Distribution for Trees on North Mountain

33. Thank You!