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Effects Of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition On The Herbaceous Layer Of A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Frank S. Gilliam, Anne W. Hockenberry, Mary Beth Adams
Effects Of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition On The Herbaceous Layer Of A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Frank S. Gilliam, Anne W. Hockenberry, Mary Beth Adams
Frank S. Gilliam
Additions of nitrogen (N) have been shown to alter species diversity of plant communities, with most experimental studies having been carried out in communities dominated by herbaceous species. We examined seasonal and inter-annual patterns of change in the herbaceous layer of two watersheds of a central Appalachian hardwood forest that differed in experimental treatment. This study was carried out at the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia, using two adjacent watersheds: WS4 (mature, second-growth hardwood stand, untreated reference), and WS3. Seven circular 0.04-ha sample plots were established in eachwatershed to represent its full range of elevation and slope aspect. The herbaceous …
Effects Of Harvesting On Herbaceous Layer Diversity Of A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Frank S. Gilliam
Effects Of Harvesting On Herbaceous Layer Diversity Of A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Frank S. Gilliam
Frank S. Gilliam
Clearcutting is a common harvesting practice in many eastern hardwood forests. Among the vegetation strata of these forests, the herbaceous layer is potentially the most sensitive in its response to harvest-mediated disturbances and has the highest species diversity. Thus, it is important to understand the response of herbaceous layer diversity to forest harvesting. Previous work on clearcut and mature stands at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF), West Virginia, has shown that, although, harvesting did not alter appreciably herbaceous layer cover, it influenced the relationship of cover to biotic and abiotic factors, such as tree density and soil nutrients, respectively. The …