Role of Southern Pine Beetle1and Fire in Maintenance of Structure and Function of the Southeastern Coniferous Forest2

We propose a hypothesis that southern pine forests, the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), and fire interacted historically within the geoclimatic regime of the Coastal Plain to maintain the structure and function of the southeastern coniferous forest. Fire regulates the regeneration in space and time of pine forests necessary for D. frontalis occurrence; D. frontalis regulates the occurrence and turnover of patches of dead trees conducive to burning and windthrow. This interaction led to high community diversity and productivity, enabling these forested ecosystems to reduce nutrient losses and to respond rapidly to disturbance. Current silvicultural practices have disrupted these interactions and created forests particularly susceptible to D. frontalis . Applications of our hypothesis to development of forest management practices are discussed.