This area demonstrates how a poorly drained flatwoods pine forest can support a grass-dominated understory when frequently burned. If left unburned for several years, a host of shrub species would likely invade the area. There is no pine regeneration in this forest, likely because of the frequency of burning and the relatively high pine basal area (85.7 ft2/ac) which restricts light to the forest floor. The adjacent 2- and 3-year burn interval areas clearly show an increase in shrubs with longer time periods between prescribed burns. In contrast, the 2-year burn has significant pine regeneration concentrated in openings. There is very little natural regeneration in the 3-year burn area but an ongoing study is attempting to determine if the lack of pine regeneration was due to the previously closed canopy (it has since been harvested) or competition from the shrubby understory.

Many scientists have used this area for study. The one listed below focused on how annual prescribed burning affects understory species, primarily wiregrass. Other studies are available upon request.

Fill, J.M., and R.M. Crandall. 2024. High survival promotes bunchgrass persistence in old-growth savannas under different fire regimes. Ecosphere, DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.70092.