Structure and Composition of Vegetation on Longleaf Plantation Sites Compared to Natural Stands Occurring Along an Environmental Gradient at the Savannah River Site

Smith, G.P.

Savannah River Forest Station

关键词: Plants;    Abundance;    Savanna Communities;    Texture Restoration;    Classification;   

DOI  :  10.2172/807720
RP-ID  :  NONE
RP-ID  :  AI09-00SR22188
RP-ID  :  807720

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The diversity and abundance of native grasses and herbaceous species characteristic of the longleaf savanna were compared between remnant stands that were not previously under agriculture and recent old-fields.The objective of the study was to establish a baseline for future restoration objectives and to compare the degree of degradation associated with agriculture. In most cases even the natural stands have suffered degradation as a result of fire exclusion and as such are not representative of pristine conditions. Community classification and ordination procedures were implemented to array the communities. Three distinct sub-units were identified and associated with xeric, sub-xeric, and medic types associated with texture and soil moisture. Between plantations and natural stands, the xeric group demonstrated the most similarity. The presence of a B horizon was the most important discriminate variable in both groups.