ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how the scientific understanding of ecological processes and the socioeconomic concepts and realities shed new light on established paradigms and their application for restoration and management. Ecological restoration concepts and practices for longleaf pine forests will continue to evolve as they are more widely applied in an operational context, are attempted in more forest types, and respond to a rapidly changing natural and socioeconomic environment. In today's world of forest fragmentation and wildland-urban interface expansion, the only effective way to establish a frequent-fire regime is to burn in a socially acceptable manner. The chapter presents the major findings organized into four areas: plant community dynamics, forest structure and functional relationships, the landscape context of wildlife habitat, and ecosystem services of the future. For each of these areas, the chapter summarizes key ecological findings and highlight their implications for restoration and management.
