Abstract

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, and they are significantly impacting global ecosystems. To minimize disturbance impacts, we need to develop damage mitigation practices. Previous regional research has primarily focused on restoration following large-scale disturbances, leaving smaller-scale systems less understood.[HF1]  Our research assessed the ecological effects of Tropical Storm Helene on Chestnut Ridge, a 27-hectare mixed hardwood-pine forest adjacent to the University of North Carolina Asheville campus, to develop a restoration plan for this and other impacted small-scale landowners. I surveyed twenty 0.04 ha plots recording standing and downed trees (dbh > 5cm) and woody saplings (>1 m tall and < 5 cm dbh). I sampled seedlings (< 1m tall) in 0.002 ha nested plots. I compared pre- and post-storm canopy composition and assessed the regeneration layer (seedlings and saplings). Pre-storm data forest composition at the site was 60% Montane Oak-Hickory, 20% Rich Cove Forest, and 20% White Pine. Post-storm composition shifted to 65% Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, 20% Rich Cove Forest, and 15% White Pine, with some areas treeless post-storm. Regeneration primarily consisted of the shade-tolerant, fire-sensitive mesophytes, tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.), indicating that without active management, this forest will shift from more fire-tolerant, pyrophytic species, such as oaks (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) to the more mesophytic species, tulip poplar and red maple. Past management had deviated from the ecologically expected composition:  60% Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, 25% Rich Cove Forest, and 15% Pine-Oak Heath or Mixed Oak/Rhododendron. Management efforts to shift composition toward this ecologically expected composition could include releasing desirable pyrophytic species through silviculture, supplementing these through direct planting, and managing invasive exotic species, which have drastically expanded in storm-damaged areas.

Keywords

Forest Management, Tropical Storm Helene, Forest Ecology, Hurricane, Natural Disaster, Forest Composition, Climate Change, Wind, Regeneration

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