page_title: Eastern savannas of the United States
hierarchical_section_title: Eastern savannas of the United States
caption_attribution_description: English: Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Maritime slash pine Pinus elliottii savanna on MS/AL state line near Bayou Heron. MS Natural Heritage Program NERR Biological Assessment. 1998. Image ID: nerr0754, NOAA's Estuarine Research Reserve Collection Photographer: P. R. Hoar, NOAA/NESDIS/NCDDC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce Français&#160;: Réserve naturelle nationale et de recherche sur les estuaires de"Grand Bay" . Pinède constituée de pin d'Eliott maritimes (Pinus elliottii) avec végétation de savane sur la "MS/AL state line" près du Bayou Héron. (MS Natural Heritage Program NERR Évaluation biologique. 1998)
context_page_description: The eastern savannas of the United States covered large portions of the southeast side of the continent until the early 20th century. These were in a fire ecology of open grassland and forests with low ground cover of herbs and grasses.
  The frequent fires which maintained the savannas were started by the region's many thunderstorms and Native Americans, with most fires burning the forest understory and not affecting the mature trees above. Before the arrival of humans about 15,000 years ago, lightning would have been the major source of ignition, the region having the most frequent wind and lightning storms in North America. The European settlers who displaced the natives blended the local use of fire with their customary use of fire as pastoral herdsmen in the British Isles, Spain, and France.
  In the southern pine savanna, each area burned about every 1–4 years; after settlers arrived burning happened about every 1–3 years. In oak–hickory areas, estimates range from 3 to 14 years, although trails were kept open with fire.
context_section_description: The eastern savannas of the United States covered large portions of the southeast side of the continent until the early 20th century.  These were in a fire ecology of open grassland and forests with low ground cover of herbs and grasses.
  The frequent fires which maintained the savannas were started by the region's many thunderstorms and Native Americans, with most fires burning the forest understory and not affecting the mature trees above.  Before the arrival of humans about 15,000 years ago, lightning would have been the major source of ignition, the region having the most frequent wind and lightning storms in North America. The European settlers who displaced the natives blended the local use of fire with their customary use of fire as pastoral herdsmen in the British Isles, Spain, and France.
  In the southern pine savanna, each area burned about every 1–4 years; after settlers arrived burning happened about every 1–3 years.  In oak–hickory areas, estimates range from 3 to 14 years, although trails were kept open with fire.
caption: Maritime slash pine savanna
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