Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata): Management Challenges, Knowledge Gaps, and Opportunities for an Unsung Species

Shortleaf pine has the broadest range of the southern pine species, occurring in 22 states and extending north into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York (Staten Island). Shortleaf pine has been understudied compared to loblolly pine and longleaf pine, typically favored for timber production and conservation value, respectively. The extensive range of shortleaf pine contributes to a high degree of variability within and among its ecosystems and contributes to the need to understand regional context in considering its ecology and management. The goal of this paper is to review and synthesize the state-of-knowledge on shortleaf pine ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of variation across its range in identifying management challenges and opportunities. We discuss the variation in growing conditions that occur across the geographic range, shortleaf pine natural community groups, and contemporary shortleaf pine forest types that occur on the landscape. We provide a review of the state-of-knowledge for topics related to shortleaf pine management, including its fire ecology, genetic considerations, economics, and others. Finally, we synthesize these into key considerations and highlight regionally specific management challenges and opportunities.