Ecological principles: climate, physiography, soil, and vegetation

Abstract

The central hardwood region is a land of transitions in climate, physiography, soils, plants, and animals. Winter temperature and drought are the two most important climatic variables operating on plants and animals. Occasional severe periods of low winter temperatures in the northern half of the region restrict the northern occurrence of many plant and animal species. Summer drought is the most important factor, increasing from east to west in the region and to a lesser extent from north to south. Fire interacts with drought directly and is more ecologically important in the western and southern areas of the region.

Parent Publication

• Central hardwood notes

Citation

Parker, George R.; Weaver, George T. 1989. Ecological principles: climate, physiography, soil, and vegetation. In: Hutchinson, Jay G., ed. Central hardwood notes. St. Paul, MN.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 2.01