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Abstract
Much has been learned about the oak (encinal) woodlands of the southwestern United States in recent years. Ecological, hydrologic, and environmental characterizations have been obtained through collaborative efforts involving a large number of collaborators. This state-of-knowledge has been presented in a variety of publications and presentations. However, comparable characterizations of the companion oak savannas are needed to help in enhancing the knowledge of all oak ecosystems in the Madrean Archipelago region. Oak savannas differ from oak woodlands in that they are more open in their structure with fewer trees and, as a consequence, a higher level of herbaceous development and production is attained. Species compositions, densities, and growth rates of tree overstories and species composition, production, and utilization of herbaceous understories in representative oak savannas are presented in this paper with comparisons of these characterizations to the more densely stocked oak woodlands. Information such as this is prerequisite to planning for more holistically conceived, ecosystem-based management of these fragile plant communities.
Parent Publication
Citation
Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gottfried, Gerald J. 2005. Vegetative characteristics of oak savannas in the southwestern United States: a comparative analysis with oak woodlands in the region [Abstract]. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 571
