Impacts of disturbances on Table Mountain pine (Pinus pungens) and associated species in forests of the Eastern United States

This study examines the structural and compositional changes in Table Mountain pine ( Pinus pungens Lamb.) associated forest ecosystems over a two-decade period (1997–2017) and assesses the species’ status across disturbed and undisturbed sites in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. We analyzed data from 86 plots containing Table Mountain pine in the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database. FIA plots consist of four subplots, each measuring 168.1 m², for a total of 672.4 m². Study objectives were to investigate forest stand characteristics, such as mortality, basal area, stems per hectare, mean height, and aboveground dry biomass, across life stages (tree, sapling, and seedling), evaluate species richness and diversity under forest disturbances, and identify density and dominance trends of Table Mountain pine and associated tree species. Some disturbances, including insect infestations and weather events, led to tree mortality across all species. The tree mortality was significantly higher in disturbance plots. Although tree mortality rates were similar between the first decade (midyear 2002) and the second decade (midyear 2012), sapling mortality increased substantially, particularly in the no-disturbance plots. Table Mountain pine density declined across all size categories; however, regeneration potential was evident from numerous saplings in disturbance plots. Table Mountain pine’s Importance Value Percent also declined across all plots, though the decline was less pronounced in disturbance sites. There were no significant changes in sapling density among all plots and across the two decades. The findings underscore the role of disturbances in shaping forest ecosystems containing Table Mountain pine. A management approach incorporating disturbance—particularly prescribed fire—may enhance Table Mountain pine regeneration and sustain populations.