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Canopy Gap Characteristics and Drought Influences in Oak Forests of the Coweeta Basin
Author(s) -
Clinton B. D.,
Boring L. R.,
Swank W. T.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1940082
Subject(s) - canopy , transect , snag , environmental science , tree canopy , ecology , forestry , fagaceae , geography , biology , habitat
Canopy gaps in southern Appalachian mixed—Quercus forest were characterized to assess the impact of the 1985—1988 record drought on patterns of tree mortality in relation to topographic variables and changes in overstory composition. Using permanent transects, we samples 68 canopy gaps within the Coweeta Basin. Among 1—5 yr old gaps, the most common gap type was the 1—yr—old single—tree snag, accounting for 49% of all gaps sampled; 65% of all gaps occurred within 2 yr of the drought peak. Gap area ranged from 40 to 850 m 2 , averaged 239 m 2 , with a median of 152 m 2 . Analysis of 1988 color infrared (IR) aerial imagery yielded a gap formation rate of 0.8 gaps°ha — 1 °yr — 1 in mixed—Quercus stands affecting 2.0% of the area in this forest type in 1988. The most frequent gap—forming species were Quercus coccinea, Q. rubra, and Q. velutina, respectively. Evidence suggests that moisture stress brought on by severe drought increases the susceptibility of Quercus species of the shoe—string fungus Armillaria mellea, which may result in significant shifts in canopy composition in these forests.