Stand dynamics of an old-growth eastern hemlock-hardwood forest in West Virginia

Nathan R. Beane; Eric Heitzman; Thomas M. Schuler

doi:10.3375/043.030.0107

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Stand dynamics of an old-growth eastern hemlock-hardwood forest in West Virginia

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Nathan R. Beane, Eric Heitzman, Thomas M. Schuler

Year:

2010

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3375/043.030.0107

Source:

Natural Areas Journal. 30: 64-72.

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Abstract

Cathedral State Park (CSP) is a 54-ha, old-growth, eastern hemlock-hardwood forest located in the central Appalachian Mountains of WestVirginia. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) is an exotic insect that currently threatens eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) in its native range, and was found in CSP in 2002. In 2006, field plots established in 2000 were re-measured to assess adelgid-induced changes to forest structure and species composition. The herbaceous plant community was also measured during the 2006 growing season to describe how the ground flora has changed since it was originally surveyed in 1965. In addition, characteristics of snags and downed dead wood in CSP were compared to published data on 25 old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands in the eastern United States.

Keywords

Adelges tsugae, eastern hemlock, forest stand dynamics, hemlock woolly adelgid, oldgrowth forest, Tsuga canadensis

Citation

Beane, Nathan R.; Heitzman, Eric; Schuler, Thomas M. 2010. Stand dynamics of an old-growth eastern hemlock- hardwood forest in West Virginia