Joseph J. O'Brien,^* J. Kevin Hiers,^** Mac A. Callaham,^*** Robert J. Mitchell,^**** Steve B. Jack<sup>*****


*</sup>Joseph J. O'Brien is a research ecologist with the US Forest Service Center for Forest Disturbance Science in Athens, Georgia. His work focuses on the ecophysiological effects of fire and other disturbances on forest ecology, with a special interest in tropical ecosystems. He also has extensive experience studying community ecology and conservation biology in Caribbean Basin terrestrial ecosystems. His address: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. E-mail: jjobrien@fs.fed.us
^**J. Kevin Hiers is an assistant scientist in fire ecology at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. He is an expert in the management and study of prescribed fire in pine-grassland ecosystems. His research focuses on fire behavior, ecological forestry, C sequestration in frequently burned ecosystems, and fire effects on biodiversity. His address: Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Rt 2 Box 2324, Newton, GA 39870, USA. E-mail: khiers@jonesctr.org
^***Mac A. Callaham Jr. is a research ecologist with the US Forest Service at the Center for Forest Disturbance Science in Athens, Georgia. His research interests broadly address soil ecology, with emphasis on invasive species and other disturbances. He has several years of experience in forest and grassland ecosystems of the eastern United States. His address: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. E-mail: mcallaham@fs.fed.us
^****Robert J. Mitchell is a senior research scientist at that Jones Ecological Research Center in Newton, Georgia. His work centers on understanding natural disturbance patterns and processes, and how they can inform management systems in southeastern pine woodlands. This work addresses forest structure, dynamics, and ecosystem functions. His address: Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Route 2, Box 2324, Newton, GA 39870, USA. E-mail: rmitchel@jonesctr.org
^*****Steve B. Jack is conservation ecologist for the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway, a 29 000 acre preserve with extensive longleaf pine forests, near Newton, Georgia. In this position, he is involved in the operational resource management on Ichauway, provides an interface between the research and resource management staffs, and conducts applied research on conservation-oriented silviculture of longleaf pine for forest and wildlife objectives. His address: Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Rt 2 Box 2324, Newton, GA 39870-9651, USA. E-mail: steve.jack@jonesctr.org