diversity indices. The net nitrogen mineralization data proved effective at detecting differences

between the herbicide treatments. Soil microbial biomass carbon was sensitive to the amount of

herbicide applied. The predictions were generally good except for height and volume estimates.

Mean stand height values were skewed due to a group of the 400 m2 forest structure plots

measured within the young age class containing naturally regenerated all-aged stands.

 Research Implications in Coastal Wet Longleaf Pine Flats Restoration

 The monitoring study proved effective at evaluating our restoration site with a set of

indicators that integrated the structural and functional attributes of the wet longleaf pine

ecosystem. The aboveground vegetative variables and the soil biogeochemical measurements

produced similar threshold periods. The selection process for the reference sites also proved

fruitful based upon the sites having similar stand, soil properties, and common understory plant

species among the locations. It was critical to restrict the location of the reference sites to within

the 3 kilometers of the Gulf coast.

 Our set of reference sites were selected to evaluate southern coastal pine communities

that are directly affected by tropical storms. The restoration of Gulf coastal wet longleaf pine

flats is distinct from other longleaf pine communities. Flooding caused by active hurricane

seasons can leave these sites inundated for more than two years. This condition causes two maj or

results in the biogeochemistry of these pinelands. First, extended flooding causes the nitrogen

cycle to be dominated by ammonium production. When ammonium becomes scarce, nitrate is

converted to ammonium through the DNRA pathway conserving nitrogen losses. Secondly, long

term flooding results in the accumulation of soil organic matter, causing the pH of the soil

medium to drop. This condition favors fungi and anaerobic bacteria over the aerobes. When the

conditions become dry, there is a great flush of growth in both the overstory and understory

vegetation. The effects of this flooding cycle are greater on younger forests than mature forests