Editing Longleaf pine (section)

==Ecology==
[[Image:Grassstage 8236.jpg|left|thumb|Longleaf pine: 'grass stage' seedling, near [[Georgetown, South Carolina]]]]
Longleaf pine is highly [[pyrophyte|pyrophytic]] (resistant to [[wildfire]]) and dependent on fire. Their thick bark and growth habits help to provide a tolerance to fire.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longleaf Pine Forests|url=https://www.nclongleaf.org/llPineForests.html|access-date=2020-10-02|website=www.nclongleaf.org}}</ref> Periodic natural wildfire and anthropogenic fires select for this species by removing competition and exposing bare soil for successful germination of seeds.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wahlenberg|first=W.G.|title=Longleaf Pine: Its Use, Ecology, Regeneration, Protection, Growth, and Management|chapter=Chapter 4: Role of Fire in Regeneration of Longleaf Pine|publisher=Charles Lathrop Pack Forestry Foundation|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=57–67|access-date=20 August 2023|chapter-url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/60165287|via=Biodiversity Heritage Library|year=1946}}</ref>{{rp|58–59}} The lack of medium-tall trees (called a midstory [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]]) leads to open longleaf pine [[forest]]s or [[Eastern savannas of the United States|savannas]]. New seedlings do not appear at all tree-like and resemble a dark-green fountain of needles. This form is called the grass stage. During this stage, which lasts for 5–12 years, vertical growth is very slow, and the tree may take a number of years simply to grow ankle high. After that, it has a growth spurt, especially if it is in a [[Treefall gap|gap]] or no tree canopy is above it. In the grass stage, it is very resistant to low intensity fires because the terminal bud is protected from lethal heating by the tightly packed needles.  While relatively immune to fire at this stage, the plant is quite appealing to [[Wild boar#Feral pigs|feral pigs]]; the early settlers' habit of releasing swine into the woodlands to feed may have been partly responsible for the decline of the species.

Longleaf pine forests are rich in [[biodiversity]]. They are well-documented for their high levels of plant diversity, in groups including sedges, grasses, carnivorous plants, and orchids.<ref>Peet, R. K. and D. J Allard. 1993. Longleaf pine vegetation of the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf coast regions: a preliminary classification. pp. 45–81. In S. M. Hermann (ed.) Proceedings of the Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference. No. 18. The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Restoration, and Management. Florida: Tall Timbers Research Station.</ref><ref>Keddy, P.A., L. Smith, D.R. Campbell, M. Clark and G. Montz. 2006. Patterns of herbaceous plant diversity in southeastern Louisiana pine savannas. Applied Vegetation Science 9:17-26.</ref> These forests also provide habitat for [[gopher tortoise]]s, which as keystone species, dig burrows that provide habitat for hundreds of other species of animals. The [[red-cockaded woodpecker]] is dependent on mature pine forests and is now [[conservation status|endangered]] as a result of this decline. Longleaf pine [[seed]]s are large and nutritious, forming a significant food source for [[bird]]s (notably the [[brown-headed nuthatch]]) and other [[wildlife]]. Nine [[salamander]] species and 26 [[frog]] species are characteristic of pine savannas, along with 56 species of [[reptile]]s, 13 of which could be considered specialists on this habitat.<ref>Means, D. Bruce. 2006. Vertebrate faunal diversity in longleaf pine savannas. Pages 155-213 in S. Jose, E. Jokela and D. Miller (eds.) Longleaf Pine Ecosystems: Ecology, Management and Restoration. Springer, New York. xii + 438 pp.</ref>

The [[Red Hills Region]] of Florida and Georgia is home to some of the best-preserved stands of longleaf pines. These forests have been burned regularly for many decades to encourage [[bobwhite quail]] habitat in private hunting plantations.