Structure and Dynamics of an Old-Growth Pine-Oak Community of the Southern Appalachians, Georgia, U.S.A

disturbance was ice storms, which generally resulted in suppression of radial growth in pines and increased radial growth in oaks. Additionally, pulses of understory establishment coincided with major ice storms. The lack of understory disturbance such as fire may be allowing the establishment of shade tolerant understory species while limiting the establishment of pine and oak. Canopy disturbance from ice storms may be accelerating the pace of this compositional shift. Under the current disturbance regime, composition of the preserve is likely to change, leading to an increase in red maple and mockernut hickory and a decline in pine and oak species.