The 16th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference (BSSRC) was held February 15-17, 2011 in Charleston, South Carolina. The 16th BSSRC was the latest in a series of meetings designed to provide a forum for the exchange of research information among silviculturists, researchers, and managers. More than 260 people attended the conference with 189 oral and poster presentations given covering research in pine and hardwood silviculture, soil and water, physiology and genetics, carbon and bioenergy, fire and fuels, forest health, restoration, growth and yield, and forest economics. In addition, two field trips focused on state-of-the-art intensive management of loblolly pine and silvicultural research on the Francis Marion National Forest and the Santee Experimental Forest were provided. The 86 papers published in these proceedings were submitted by the authors in electronic media. Limited editing was done to ensure a consistent format. Authors were responsible for content and accuracy of their individual papers.

The conference focused on recent work in freshwater wetlands [both natural and constructed] with a view toward understanding wetland processes in a watershed context. Since humans have played important roles in watershed dynamics for years, attention was given to the human dimensions of wetland and watershed uses. Contributed sessions were organized on: biogeochemical cycling in wetlands; human health issues related to water; wetland restoration and reforestation; the role of wetlands in agricultural systems; wetlands and USA environmental law; chemical ecology and natural products from wetlands; water and wetlands in science education; and regional water strategies.