I love this video! I knew the burrows helped Indigos but I didn't know about the other animals that also benefit from them. Very interesting. Could you make a video that describes what a long leaf pine forest consists of? Is it simply the actual trees that define them? Or are other elements required to be named a long leaf pine forest?
I see no one answered you so I am going to try: I worked in Longleaf Pine Forest for a few seasons conducting endangered Bachman's Sparrow, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker surveys, and have a deep fondness for and understanding of this habitat. For one, it's a habitat that is home to many endangered species, and that it is in itself an endangered habitat. Longleaf Pine forests have become so diminished in range (~95% loss due to timber harvest, clearing for agriculture & housing, and fire suppression) that there are only a few holdouts left of what the habitat should be in its "pristine" state - old-growth longleaf pine forest. To answer your question - a healthy longleaf pine ecosystem is dominated by the longleaf pine, with the undergrowth consisting mostly of wiregrass. Both are serotinous (fire-evolved) species. It has an open, savannah-like appearance due to this. Mostly sandy soils. Fire is necessary for longleaf pine forests and its inhabitants to thrive. The ecology of the ecosystem and the tragic history of its exploitation is fascinating, and I recommend a book (Looking for Longleaf, by Lawrence Earley) going over the natural history of it all - including what happened when Europeans discovered that the wood from longleaf pines was superior to just about all other wood used in the world at that time.
@@alcidtrip Thanks so much for your reply! Everything you said is very interesting! I'll definitely take a look at the book suggestion. I happened to see an Eastern indigo snake at a reptile presentation in Atlanta and thought they were so beautiful. I also love birds and have just recently started bird watching more seriously. Thanks again for answering my question 😊😊😃
Good work. Thank you
I love this video! I knew the burrows helped Indigos but I didn't know about the other animals that also benefit from them. Very interesting. Could you make a video that describes what a long leaf pine forest consists of? Is it simply the actual trees that define them? Or are other elements required to be named a long leaf pine forest?
I see no one answered you so I am going to try: I worked in Longleaf Pine Forest for a few seasons conducting endangered Bachman's Sparrow, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker surveys, and have a deep fondness for and understanding of this habitat. For one, it's a habitat that is home to many endangered species, and that it is in itself an endangered habitat. Longleaf Pine forests have become so diminished in range (~95% loss due to timber harvest, clearing for agriculture & housing, and fire suppression) that there are only a few holdouts left of what the habitat should be in its "pristine" state - old-growth longleaf pine forest. To answer your question - a healthy longleaf pine ecosystem is dominated by the longleaf pine, with the undergrowth consisting mostly of wiregrass. Both are serotinous (fire-evolved) species. It has an open, savannah-like appearance due to this. Mostly sandy soils. Fire is necessary for longleaf pine forests and its inhabitants to thrive.
The ecology of the ecosystem and the tragic history of its exploitation is fascinating, and I recommend a book (Looking for Longleaf, by Lawrence Earley) going over the natural history of it all - including what happened when Europeans discovered that the wood from longleaf pines was superior to just about all other wood used in the world at that time.
@@alcidtrip Thanks so much for your reply! Everything you said is very interesting! I'll definitely take a look at the book suggestion. I happened to see an Eastern indigo snake at a reptile presentation in Atlanta and thought they were so beautiful. I also love birds and have just recently started bird watching more seriously. Thanks again for answering my question 😊😊😃
@@pinkandpink4577 you’re in a great place for birdwatching! All the best warblers. And good on you for taking an active interest in the natural world