We examined vegetation-environment relationships among woody species in four canopy-strata within an old-growth mixed mesophytic forest. We hypothesized that 1) the most important environmental variables determining vegetation composition would differ among canopy-layers and 2) the maximum abundance of Quercus spp. would occur under different environmental conditions than those of Acer spp. Overstory and mid-story vegetation were arrayed along gradients of soil fertility and elevation. The shrub-layer and the ground-layer were most strongly correlated with soil fertility and pH. Across strata, Quercus spp. were consistently located in ordination space on well-lit upper slopes with low soil pH. Acer rubrum was found across a wide array of environmental conditions and Acer saccharum was found in mesic areas.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2005
Vegetation-Environment Relationships Among Woody Species in Four Canopy-Layers in an Old-Growth Mixed Mesophytic Forest
Ryan W. McEwan,
Robert N. Muller,
Brian C. McCarthy
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Castanea
Vol. 70 • No. 1
March 2005
Vol. 70 • No. 1
March 2005