Pollinator Plant Communities within restored Montane Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

Historically the fire-dependent and biodiverse longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem was the dominant ecosystem of the Southeastern US. This ecosystem’s range was massively reduced due to land conversion and fire exclusion, causing the decline of many native species. Efforts to restore and protect longleaf pine stands are now ongoing with the goal of expanding habitat and refuge for threatened species. Differences in restoration practices and prior land use may influence the extent to which restored habitat patches can support pollinators and their plants. This study compared pollinator plant biodiversity between restored neighboring montane longleaf pine stands that differed in prior stand composition and restoration practices. Flowering stem surveys were conducted monthly from February to November of 2024. Pollinator plant richness, abundance, conservation value index, and Shannon diversity were greater in prior timber plantation sites than in prior mesophied forest sites. Prior plantation sites contained 27 species not found in prior forest sites. Over the monitoring period total flowering abundances differed between communities with differing site histories however monthly differences were not as strong. Soils from prior plantation sites were lower in lime buffer capacity (LBC), Magnesium (Mg), Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N), Zinc (Zn), and had a higher pH than prior forest sites. Soil LBC and P were associated with changes in community composition. Results suggest that if canopy gaps and soil chemistry act as filters on understory species, depending on management history, plantations may be easier to restore than mesophied forest stands because they create conditions (canopy-gaps, altered soil fertility) that favor a more diverse post-restoration plant community.