Structure and dynamics in a virgin northern hardwood-spruce-fir forest--the Bowl, New Hampshire

Stanley R. Gemborys

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-704

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Structure and dynamics in a virgin northern hardwood-spruce-fir forest--the Bowl, New Hampshire

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stanley R. Gemborys

Year:

1996

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-704

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-704. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 15 p.

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Download (PDF 2.12 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/9390.pdf

Abstract

A phytosociological study was conducted in a virgin northern hardwood- spruce-fir forest in the Bowl in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There is no evidence of fire or human disturbance but hurricane winds were significant in the past. Bray and Curtis ordination was used to develop an XY vegetational mosaic. Differentiating species were Picea rubens and Acer saccharum on the X axis and Betula alleghaniensis and Fagus grandifolia on the Y axis. This ordination was divided into seven plot clusters based on size-class distributions of major tree species. Clusters represent stages in a successional sequence, with final stages oscillating between Fagus and Acer dominated communities.

Keywords

Virgin forest, Bowl Research Natural Area, ordination, succession

Citation

Gemborys, Stanley R. 1996. Structure and dynamics in a virgin northern hardwood-spruce-fir forest--the Bowl, New Hampshire. Res. Pap. NE-704. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 15 p.