Gap characteristics of southeastern Ohio second-growth forests

Abstract

Transect sampling was used to assess the features of 30 gaps encountered in upland oak stands on the Wayne National Forest. Tip-ups caused the most canopy gaps (52 percent), two-thirds of which were small (< 100 m²). Only on south-facing slopes were more large gaps found than small gaps. Gaps in the youngest age class (1 to 9 years) were significantly larger than older gaps. Twenty-seven percent of the gaps were shaped like an ellipse. Sugar maple was the dominant tree species successfully regenerating in both small and large gaps. These results indicate that gap dynamics will likely result in a species composition shift from oaks to mesic species in the future.

Parent Publication

• 13th Central Hardwoods Forest Conference

Citation

Hix, David M.; Helfrich, Katherine K. 2003. Gap characteristics of southeastern Ohio second-growth forests. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 247-253