Integration of Landscape Ecosystem Classification and Historic Land Records in the Francis Marion National Forest

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and historical plats ranging from 1716 to 1894 in the Coastal Flatwoods Region of South Carolina were used to quantify changes on a temporal scale. Combining the historic plats and associated witness trees (trees marking the boundaries of historic plats) with an existing database of the soils and other attributes was the basis for exploring possible site types as defined by Landscape Ecosystem Classification (LEC) and historic vegetation. Field plots were established using locations of the witness trees from the historic plats. The witness trees could then be used as a basis of comparison between past and present vegetation. From the field plots, four clusters of vegetation were delineated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) and Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). Discriminant analysis revealed thickness of the A horizon, presence/absence of a 6 horizon, Landform Index (LI), and Terrain Shape Index (TSI) as discriminating variables in the model. These four site units revealed a soil moisture gradient ranging from very poorly drained soils to moderately well drained soils. The historic witness tree data set was dominated by longleaf pine (70 percent). The comparison of historic witness trees to present vegetation showed a drastic decrease in longleaf across the landscape due to past management practices and the suppression of fire.

Citation

Kennedy, Peter U.; Shelburne, Victor B. 2002. Integration of Landscape Ecosystem Classification and Historic Land Records in the Francis Marion National Forest. In: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pg. 605-609