Homogenization of northern U.S. Great Lakes forests due to land use

Schulte, Lisa A.; Mladenoff, David J.; Crow, Thomas R.; Merrick, Laura C.; Cleland, David T.

doi:10.1007/s10980-007-9112-8

Cited by 81 publications

(136 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

129

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar results have been found in comparisons of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) surveys of present forests by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service with Pre-settlement Land Survey Records (PLSRs) (Dyer 2001;Whitney and DeCant 2003;Friedman and Reich 2005). Recent analysis at the broad northern Great Lakes region level also documents a shift in species dominance and an increase in homogeneity (Schulte et al 2007). Soil characteristics have been found to influence landcover changes since the pre-settlement (Rhemtulla et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Effects of clearance and fragmentation on forest compositional change and recovery after 200 years in western New York

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigated the effects of widespread forest clearance and fragmentation on forest compositional change between pre-settlement and the present (ca. 1800-1993) in western New York. Forest compositional turnover metrics were calculated to evaluate whether soil conditions accounted for the forest compositional change, to investigate how forest clearance might have contributed to the change, and to compare with the amount of change noted in other studies that compared the pre-settlement land surveys and the current Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) surveys. The results suggested weak relations between the forest compositional change and soil conditions. The amount of change at the county level was positively correlated with the amount of forest clearance by the late 1800s and negatively correlated with the amount of remnant forest in the late 1800s. Furthermore, while the geographic distributions of late-successional taxa in the study area exhibited increased patchiness and decreased contagion, those of early-successional taxa exhibited decreased patchiness and increased contagion. Comparison of taxa's changed abundances with seven life history characteristics commonly associated with early-and latesuccessional status showed that taxa's changed abundances were significantly related to maximum life and shade tolerance. Analysis of different-sized trees in different ages in the FIA survey indicated the possibility of the current forests trending back toward their pre-settlement composition.

show abstract

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Effects of clearance and fragmentation on forest compositional change and recovery after 200 years in western New York

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Forest fragmentation, the conversion of forest to other land uses, makes forests more susceptible to alien species invasions, alters nutrient cycles, changes species composition, and affects species diversity (Foley et al 2005;Schulte et al 2007). Air pollution, other than greenhouse gases (GHG), may also add to the impact of climate change (Bytnerowicz et al 2006).…”

Section: Insect and Disease Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of forestry mitigation and adaptation strategies in the Northeast U.S.

Evans¹,

Perschel²

2009

Climatic Change

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The forests of the Northeast U.S. will be significantly affected by climate change, but they also play a role in mitigating climate change by sequestering CO 2 . Forest management decisions can increase forests' resilience and ability to adapt to altered precipitation and temperature patterns. At the same time, management strategies that increase carbon storage will help reduce climate disruptions. Because of climate change, foresters on managed lands should take into account changes in species composition, more frequent disturbances, potential changes in growth rates, and distorted insect and disease dynamics. Silvicultural prescriptions should emphasize low impact logging techniques, the perpetuation of structural complexity, legacy trees, extended rotations, and uneven aged management systems where appropriate. In order to maintain resilience as well as to store carbon, forests should be protected from land use conversion.

show abstract

“…This is notable for several reasons. First, land management practices in the Great Lakes have significantly altered forest composition over the past 150 years, resulting in decreased diversity and simplified forest structure (Whitney 1987;Schulte et al 2007). Between 1850 and 1990, maximum relative dominance of Betula spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Between 1850 and 1990, maximum relative dominance of Betula spp. and Tsuga canadensis ((L.) Carrière)) has declined by 25.3 and 34.3 %, respectively (Schulte et al 2007). Within Michigan, Betula alleghaniensis and Tsuga canadensis growing stock and volume have decreased 5-71 % (Godman 1992;Zhang et al 2000;Pugh et al 2012), while Tsuga canadensis has been reduced to just 0.5 % stocking of Wisconsin forests (Eckstein 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…maximum relative dominance has increased by 28.4 %, while Acer rubrum (L.) coverage has increased by 14 % (Zhang et al 2000;Schulte et al 2007). Secondly, this trend is predicted to continue; both Betula alleghaniensis and Tsuga canadensis are expected to decline in managed northern hardwood stands due in part to poor regeneration success and browsing pressure (Schwartz et al 2005;Schulte et al 2007;Witt and Webster 2010;Kern et al 2012). Lastly, fluctuations in precipitation and temperature resulting from regional and global climate change have and will continue to negatively impact these two species (Walker et al 2002;Foster et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Forest Diversity and Structure Surrounding Vernal Pools in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA

Previant

Nagel

2014

Wetlands

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vernal pools have been identified as unique contributors to forest biodiversity, with habitat management guidelines commonly recommending concentric zones of varying conservation intensity. However, little is known about the associated edaphic and forest structure characteristics associated with vernal pools. At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan, USA), we measured a stratified-random sample of 18 of 51 vernal pools to investigate soil pH, down dead wood, tree stocking, species richness, species evenness, species diversity, and species importance values within and across these zones. Within the pool zone, live tree basal area and live tree density was significantly lower and down dead wood volume was significantly higher than either the buffer or matrix zones. Nested-ANOVA and NMDS ordination indicated that importance values of under-represented species increased closer to the vernal pool. Tree diversity and richness were positively correlated with vernal pool area. These findings suggest the buffer zone serves as a transition zone between vernal pools and the surrounding forest, complementing the proposed guideline goals of reducing impacts of forest management. Vernal pools are unique forested wetlands and may provide an opportunity to maintain and enhance ecosystem complexity and resiliency.

show abstract

Homogenization of northern U.S. Great Lakes forests due to land use

Cited by 81 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of clearance and fragmentation on forest compositional change and recovery after 200 years in western New York

Effects of clearance and fragmentation on forest compositional change and recovery after 200 years in western New York

A review of forestry mitigation and adaptation strategies in the Northeast U.S.

Forest Diversity and Structure Surrounding Vernal Pools in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About