Ownership and ecosystem as sources of spatial heterogeneity in a forested landscape, Wisconsin, USA

Abstract

The interaction between physical environment and land ownership in creating spatial heterogeneity was studied in largely forested landscapes of northern Wisconsin, USA. A stratified random approach was used in which 2500-ha plots representing two ownerships (National Forest and private non-industrial) were located within two regional ecosystems (extremely well-drained outwash sands and moderately well-drained moraines). Sixteen plots were established, four within each combination of ownership and ecosystem, and the land cover on the plots was classified from aerial photographs using a modified form of the Anderson (U.S. Geological Survey) landuse and land cover classification system. Upland deciduous forests dominated by northern hardwoods were common on the moraines for both ownerships.On the outwash, the National Forest was dominated by pine plantations, upland deciduous forests, and upland regenerating forests (as defined by

Citation

Crow, Thomas R.; Host, George E.; Mladenoff, David J. 1999. Ownership and ecosystem as sources of spatial heterogeneity in a forested landscape, Wisconsin, USA. Landscape ecology. Vol. 14, no. 5 (Oct. 1999).:p. 449-463.