Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Theses and Dissertations

Ecology

1974

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

A Taxonomic And Ecologic Study Of The Riverbottom Forest On St. Mary River, Lee Creek And Belly River In Southwest Alberta, Canada, Robert Keith Shaw Aug 1974

A Taxonomic And Ecologic Study Of The Riverbottom Forest On St. Mary River, Lee Creek And Belly River In Southwest Alberta, Canada, Robert Keith Shaw

Theses and Dissertations

The riverbottom forest community of St. Mary River, Lee Creek and Belly River in southwest Alberta, Canada is a unique ecological entity characterized by poplar species having their major Alberta distribution along these streams. Stands in the community are dominated by three tree species, six shrub species and nine herb species. Establishment of the community is dependent on climate and substrate; destruction is the result of progressive lateral stream-flow erosion. Soils are sandy loams above gravel, with pH values of 7.7 to 8.0 and soluble salt concentration of 176 to 458 parts per million. Trees in mature stands averaged 23.0 …