The current distribution, predictive modeling, and restoration potential of red spruce in West Virginia

Abstract

The environmental relationships of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) were assessed in east-central West Virginia. Although many significant relationships existed, red spruce was most strongly associated with elevation, climate, and soil moisture factors. Specifically, red spruce was positively associated with elevation, number of frost days, mean annual precipitation, and soil wetness (as expressed by depth to impermeable "fragipan" horizon, depth to water table, and drainage class) and negatively associated with growing degree days and mean annual temperature. A predictive model was built by subjecting the dataset to logistical stepwise regression. Elevation was overwhelmingly the most important predictor of red spruce and explained the majority of variation.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains

Citation

Nowacki, Gregory; Wendt, Dan. 2010. The current distribution, predictive modeling, and restoration potential of red spruce in West Virginia. In: Rentch, James S.; Schuler, Thomas M., eds. 2010. Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. 2009 May 14-15; Slatyfork, WV. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-64. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 163-178.