Why We Collect Wiregrass Seed: A Keystone in Action
In January, volunteers with Friends of Pleasure Island State Parks will be collecting seed from wiregrass and other native grasses, flowers, and forbs associated with the longleaf pine ecosystem. These seeds will be used to help spread plant diversity in areas of restoration focus within Carolina Beach State Park.
This work supports more than restoration—it supports the natural processes that keep the longleaf pine savanna healthy.
What Is a Keystone Species?
In ecology, a keystone species is a plant or animal that holds an ecosystem together. Even if it isn’t the largest or most noticeable species, many other plants and animals depend on it to survive because it controls key processes—like fire, food, or space—that shape where and how life can exist (Paine 1969; Noss 2018).
In longleaf pine savannas, wiregrass is considered a keystone species because it helps regulate fire—an essential process that defines the ecosystem (Clewell 1989; Fill et al. 2015).
Why Wiregrass Matters
Wiregrass forms a dense, upright ground layer that allows low-intensity fire to move evenly across the forest floor. This steady fire keeps shrubs and hardwood trees from taking over, maintains open and sunny conditions, and supports a diverse community of native plants and wildlife (Clewell 1989; Noss et al. 2015).
Without wiregrass, fire becomes patchy or may not carry at all. When fire fails, the savanna begins to close in—and many fire-adapted species lose the habitat they need.
Fire, Flowers, and Forbs
Fire doesn’t just clear space—it stimulates growth and diversity.
After a burn, sunlight reaches the ground, nutrients are released into the soil, and competition from woody plants is reduced. These conditions allow native flowers and forbs to flourish, often blooming more abundantly in the seasons following fire (Platt et al. 1988; Noss et al. 2015).
Wiregrass itself depends on fire in a very specific way. It will only flower and produce seed after experiencing fire during the spring or summer growing season. Fire signals wiregrass to invest energy in reproduction, ensuring future generations and continued fire spread across the landscape (Streng et al. 1993).
Why Seed Collection Matters
By collecting and spreading seed from wiregrass and other native plants, volunteers help:
increase plant diversity in restoration areas
support healthy fire cycles
provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife
strengthen the long-term resilience of the longleaf pine savanna
This hands-on stewardship directly supports the ecological integrity of Carolina Beach State Park and helps ensure this rare ecosystem continues to thrive.
References
Paine, R. T. (1969). A note on trophic complexity and community stability. American Naturalist.
Clewell, A. F. (1989). Natural history of wiregrass (Aristida stricta). Natural Areas Journal.
Platt, W. J., Evans, G. W., & Rathbun, S. L. (1988). The population dynamics of long-lived pine species and the role of fire. American Naturalist.
Streng, D. R., Glitzenstein, J. S., & Platt, W. J. (1993). Evaluating effects of season of burn in longleaf pine forests. Ecological Applications.
Fill, J. M., et al. (2015). Wiregrass fuel characteristics and fire spread in longleaf pine ecosystems. Forest Ecology and Management.
Noss, R. F., et al. (2015). Longleaf pine ecosystems: ecology, management, and restoration. Island Press.