Abstract:
Theoretically, forest succession in much of North Carolina will
eventually lead to oak-hickory forests. However, the 2002 Forest
Inventory and Analysis (FIA) survey shows a decline in many different
hardwood species in addition to pines. Although oak-type forestland
area increased, total oak growing stock volume decreased from 1990 to
2002 for the first time since 1964. This is the result of increased
mortality and removals, and decreased growth. Middle-aged stands saw
the most drastic negative changes. Removals by stand initiating
activities were 79 percent greater in 2002 than in 1984, while weatherrelated
oak mortality has increased by 1,178 percent since 1984. This
corresponds to increased hurricane presence, which averages 0.25 direct
landfalls per year. However, the periods corresponding to the 1990 and
2002 FIA surveys averaged 0.5 and 0.42 direct landfalls per year,
respectively. The undamaged or non-diseased oak volume also decreased
from 79 percent (1984) to 56 percent (2002) of total oak volume.
