ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the highly variable condition of longleaf pine forests, both remnants and those that have been newly established, and identifies how restoration approaches vary depending on site-specific topoedaphic location and land use legacies. It describes historical and current patterns of land ownership as well as the difficulties in tracking both the region-wide status of forest condition and the social complexities involved in prioritizing regional restoration activities. The chapter summarizes a generalized system of classifying minimally disturbed longleaf pine-dominated plant communities that develop through complex interactions of fire frequency, soil characteristics, and topographic position. It also describes the implication of initial starting points for the restoration of remnant and former longleaf pine sites. Beyond the consideration of ecological factors and on-the-ground management are the social and economic drivers that play a significant role in the real-world restoration of longleaf pine.
