The effect of slope position and organic soil depth on Pinus banksiana regeneration after a fire.

Abstract

Pinus banksiana regeneration is dependent on fire for the dispersal of its seeds, which further depends on the topography and organic soil depth. In recently burned sites, jack pine germinates predominately in the deep organic soil found in the wetland. However, as time persists, the mature tree density is highest in the upland, where there is no organic soil. Through the comparison of two burned sites, Sleeper Lake and Trout Lake, separated by date since burned, it was determined that initial establishment is found in the wetland, but as time passes, mortality is high in the wetland, resulting in high mature jack pine density in the upland.