Study areas within and next to Fort Valley Experimental Forest were established in 1998 to compare ecological restoration treatments. Natural surface fires were excluded from this forest since 1876. Ecological information about forest structure, composition, and function was applied to develop three alternatives: (1) heavy thinning--the quickest process for re-establishing natural forest conditions, (2) moderate thinning--an intermediate treatment, and (3) light thinning--a minimal restoration treatment. All the treatment units are scheduled for prescribed fire following thinning. Each experimental block includes a control (no treatment). In order to fully represent the area, photo points were arbitrarily selected from plots 6, 12 and 18 of each unit. Click on a unit to select before and after photographs of a plot. Close this window to return to Our Ecological Restoration Projects.