Snags and Down Wood on Upland Oak Sites in the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project

Abstract

We analyzed volume, surface area, and percent cover of down wood to determine if there were pre-treatment differences among the sites in the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project. We also compared pre-treatment values for the number and basal area of snags. We observed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) among treatment classes for these characteristics. This is the desired condition prior to treatment. The assignment of replicates to blocks was not effective in reducing variability among treatments. The number (12/ac or 30/ha) and basal area (5 ft²/ac or 1 m²/ha) of snags ≥ 4.5 in. (11 cm) d.b.h. observed at the MOFEP sites were similar to values observed at another second-growth tract and an old-growth tract located in the same region. The volume of down wood observed at the MOFEP sites (241 ft³/ac or 17 m³/ha) was similar to that at the second-growth site but approximately half the volume at the old-growth tract.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project Symposium: an experimental approach to landscape research

Citation

Shifley, Stephen R.; Brookshire, Brian L.; Larsen, David R.; Herbeck, Laura A.; Jensen, Randy G. 1997. Snags and Down Wood on Upland Oak Sites in the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project. In: Brookshire, Brian L. Shifley, Stephen R., eds. Proceedings of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project Symposium: an experimental approach to landscape research; 1997 June 3-5; St. Louis, MO. General Technical Report NC-193. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 248-256.