Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Planted Oak Growth And Survival In Restored Savannas, Allison Earl

Masters Theses

Most oak savannas in the Midwestern United States have been lost to agriculture and habitat degradation. Because of their rarity and ability to support high plant and animal diversity, savannas are often a target for restoration. Oak savanna restoration frequently relies on direct planting of oak seedlings to establish the necessary tree canopy. Returning fire to the system is critical to the herbaceous component of the savanna, but managers risk damaging or killing trees if burning is introduced too soon. I studied growth and physiological responses of three oak species (Quercus alba, Q. macrocarpa, and Q. velutina …

Is Context Dependency Imperative To Understanding The Impacts Of Invasive Plants?, Brendan B. Haile

Masters Theses

Introduced exotic species have a tendency to become invasive and impact local biological communities. Invasions often impact community attributes such as cover and species richness, but these factors may also regulate patterns of invasion. In such cases, impacts may be dependent on the invasion context. We used data from the Buell-Small Succession Study, a long-term permanent plot study in the piedmont region of New Jersey, to document context dependency in invasion. To do this, we analyzed the factors that affected the colonization and growth of four invasive species, Alliaria petiolata, Lonicera japonica, Microstegium vimineum and Rosa multiflora, as well …

Impacts Of Plant-Microbe Interactions On Seedling Performance In A Riparian Forest Invaded By Lonicera Maackii, Taylor E. K. Strehl

Masters Theses

Soil microbes have profound impacts on plant growth and survival and can either promote or inhibit plant dominance. Exotic plants are often strongly invasive because they have escaped their natural enemies, potentially including antagonistic soil microbes. I examined how the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii and a common native tree, Acer negundo, responded to soil microbial communities to determine the role of soil microbes in regulating invasion success. This was done by growing both species with microbes from invaded (L. maackii) and uninvaded (A. negundo) soils collected from three locations within a riparian forest. Seedlings were …

Comparison Of Oak And Sugar Maple Distribution And Regeneration In Central Illinois Upland Oak Forests, Peter J. Frey

Masters Theses

Although white oak (Quercus alba) dominated much of the mid-west and eastern US hardwood forests prior to European settlement, changes in disturbance frequencies and habitat fragmentation, coupled with other biotic pressures, are allowing sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) to displace oak in the upland forest understory. Since our understanding of how disturbance mechanisms influence oak regeneration is not fully clear, there is lack of consensus on how to employ management practices. We collected seedling microhabitat data from 5 upland oak forest sites in central Illinois, each differing in age class and/or silvicultural treatment to determine: 1) Whether …

The Effects Of Group Selection On The Characteristics And Use Of Cavity Trees And Snags, Mary Lynn Lambert

Masters Theses

I studied the effects of group selection tree harvest on the availability, composition, and use of cavity trees, snags and cavities in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. Sixteen plots dominated by oaks and hickories that were 70-102 years old were surveyed prior to harvest. Tree species, diameter, height and number of visible cavities were recorded. In addition, 192 cavity trees were marked for wildlife observations during the summer and winter. Subsequently, plots were harvested by commercial contractors to either 15 or 19 m²/ha basal area, using either free or structural control thinning methods. A complete survey of …

Lichen Communities On White Oaks In East-Central Illinois, Michael R. Thon

Masters Theses

This study was conducted as a survey of epiphytic lichen communities occurring on white oak trees at Walnut Point State Park (Douglas Co.) and Fox Ridge State Park (Coles Co.). Using a system of cover classes to estimate lichen cover, quantitative data on the distribution and abundance of epiphytic lichens was obtained. These data were used to calculate summary statistics of each community including total cover, species richness, and Shannon diversity. A total of ten taxa representing six genera were found. The foliose lichen Physcia millegrana had the highest cover in the open canopy habitats while all other taxa had …

A Comparison Of Two Mesic Sand Forests In Mason County, Illinois, David Timothy Coates

Masters Theses

The present study included surveys of a four hectare section of Barkhausen Conservation Area and a two hectare forested section in the Sand Prairie-Scrub Oak Nature Preserve. This study examines the floristic composition and structure of these forests, and some of the ecological parameters that may be responsible for their existence. In this study, the number, size and species of all living and dead standing trees (above 10 cm dbh) were recorded for each quadrat. The relative dominance, relative density, importance value, average diameter, density in broad diameter classes and basal area were then calculated for each species. Nested circular …

Black Oak Savannas And Pin Oak Flatwoods In Iroquois County, Illinois, Kenneth Johnson

Masters Theses

A vegetation survey was undertaken at the Iroquois County Conservation Area and the Hooper Branch Nature Preserve in Iroquois County, Illinois. Dry sand savanna, dry-mesic sand savanna, and Pin Oak flatwoods were the three communities under study at the Iroquois County Conservation Area. Carex pensylvanica had the highest relative frequency of any ground layer species present at both the dry and the dry-mesic sand savannas. In both of these sand savanna communities the dominant overstory tree was Quercus velutina. These two communities differed mainly in the composition of their woody ground layer species. Rubus hispidus obovalis had the highest relative …

Understory Changes Following A Prescribed Burn In A Central Illinois Oak-Hickory Forest, Charity Rae Hilchen

Masters Theses

The understory of Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, was surveyed from April to September, 1988, following a low intensity fall burn in November, 1987. From plots sampled in the spring, summer and fall, differences in the composition of the herbaceous and woody components between the burn and control areas were determined. The herbaceous component of the burn area was found to compose a significantly higher percentage (X² . _{05 , 2} =12.49) of the importance values (IV) over all the sampling periods. Acer saccharum was found in significantly lower frequency (X² . _{05 , 2} =24.8) in the …

River Birch (Betula Nigra L.) Forest Communities In Cass And Mason Counties, Illinois, Charles Anthony Uhlarik

Masters Theses

During the fall of 1988 and the spring of 1989, four stands of river birch (Betula nigra L.) were surveyed in Cass and Mason Counties, Illinois. All study areas were divided into quadrats 25 m on a side (0.154 acres) and the maximum number of quadrats were placed to completely survey each forest. The relative density, relative dominance, and importance value was calculated for each species (dbh greater than 10 cm) in each forest area. Also, seedlings (less than 2.5 cm dbh) and saplings (2.5-10.0 cm dbh) were recorded in each area. River birch is the dominant overstory …

A Woody Understory Survey Of Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, Jacqueline M. Spencer

Masters Theses

The understory of Baber Woods, located in Edgar County, Illinois, was surveyed to see if sugar maple had increased enough in importance to consider implementing some type of forest management technique. Five 100 meter transects were randomly located in closed canopy areas throughout the woods. Specimens were removed from continuous 1 meter quadrats located along each line. Specimens were also removed from twenty 25 meter transects located in the open canopy areas. Species, age, height, diameter, and quadrat number were recorded for each specimen. The data was analyzed for age-height and age-diameter relationships, plus individuals per hectare, density, frequency, relative …

An Understory Survey Of Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, Amy Jo Burns

Masters Theses

Several vegetation studies have been undertaken in Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, in the past 20 years. After looking at the data of these studies it was decided that an additional study was needed to determine if the increasing importance value (IV) of Acer saccharum was indeed important. It appears that this species is starting to take over the native oak-hickory woods as well as decreasing the diversity of the herbaceous understory (Ebinger, 1986). The present study was undertaken to determine of Acer saccharum has increased enough to justify implementation of some type of forest management.

Environmental parameters at the …

Woody Vegetation Of Baber Woods: Composition And Changes Since 1964, James Alvin Newman Jr.

Masters Theses

A comparative study of the woody vegetation changes at Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, since 1964 was completed in 1983. This 51 acre woodlot is a remnant of a much larger forest which once occuppied the Shelbyville Moraine.

An inventory of the woody vegetation shows that the present stand consists of 109 stems per acre with a basal area of 113 sq. ft. per acre. In this survey, 33 woody species were found. Sugar maple had the highest Importance Value (IV) of all woody species present, having the highest density in both the 4-6 and 7-12 inch diameter classes, as …

Factors Influencing Reforestation Of Surface Mined Lands In Southern Illinois, Jill R. Medland

Masters Theses

Studies of surface coal mined lands have focused primarily on older lands mined prior to the enactment of reclamation legislation. Current laws will require extensive grading, soil replacement and revegetation. In order to more effectively reforest these lands, I have evaluated sites planted to woody species during the past decade.

The vegetational characteristics, as well as both avaian and small mammal populations of several reclaimed surface mined areas, differing in age and reclamation procedures, were compared. Success of planted trees ranged from 50 to 91% and survival varied with the species planted. There was no relationship between tree survival and …

Woody Vegetation At Burgner Acres, East-Central Illinois: Composition And Changes Since 1964, Larry Philip Lehnen Jr.

Masters Theses

A comparative study was undertaken of the changes in woody vegetation of Burgner Acres during the past 18 years. This ten acre woodlot, located in east-central Illinois was surveyed using a method identical to that of a previous study. A literature review describing the composition of three general types of forests in the Grand Prairie Division of Illinois is included.

Twenty-five arborescent species are present on the study site with white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) maintaining its position as first in importance value (I.V. = relative frequency + relative density + relative dominance). Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.) has …

Breeding Birds And Vegetation Of The Central Illinois Floodplain Forest, Daniel Edward Varland

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Vegetation Study Of A Terrace Forest In Clark County, Illinois, Randy Warren Nyboer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Forests Of Coles County, Illinois, David R. Sampson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation has been to organize and compile a relevant body of information concerning the forested land within Coles County. The methods employed in conducting this study consisted of library research, field work, interviews, and the use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to determine how the forest landowners were utilizing their forests. A random sample of the forest landowners of each township within Coles County was conducted. In addition to the questionnaire, which was the primary source of detailed information relating to forest utilization, there were interviews with the county farm cooperative extension agent, the …

Woody Vegetation Survey Of Rocky Branch Nature Preserve, Clark County, Illinois, James T. Hughes

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Vegetation Survey Of Floodplain Forests Along The Wabash River, Philip E. Phillippe

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Vegetation Survey Of Floodplain Forests In East-Central Illinois, Richard W. Crites

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.