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On-line Proceedings of the
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The 2003 Hurricane Isabel resulted in severe wind damage to Atlantic white-cedar (AWC) stands at the Dismal Swamp State Park and in the adjacent Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Because Atlantic white Cedar communities are typically dependent on irregular, large-scale disturbances, the hurricane event can be viewed as an opportunity for perpetuating AWC populations in the Great Dismal Swamp. However, differing post-storm management practices at the State Park and the Wildlife Refuge have influenced the success of AWC regeneration following the storm at each site. In this study we investigated the regeneration success of AWC at the State Park five years following Hurricane Isabel by sampling five stands in the park withstanding varying impact from the storm. In order to determine the feasibility of future AWC restoration management options in the park stands, we sampled the available seed bank to estimate the current viability of AWC seed and the potential for continued germination. We found that regeneration at the State Park was limited (less than 200 seedlings per acre), but that viable AWC seed was still present in the seed bank. By contrasting the success of AWC reestablishment at the State Park with that of the National Wildlife Refuge, we hope to generate useful recommendations for appropriate AWC management activities following major disturbance events.