Old-Growth Forests of the Northern Lake States: A Landscape Ecosystem Perspective

Old-growth forest ecosystems of the northern lake states provide the opportunity to study the composition and structure of vegetation, the occurrence and behavior of animals, and the interaction of plants and animals in relation to physiography, microclimate, and soil. From a general nonrestrictive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural areas journal 1989-01, Vol.9 (1), p.45-57
Main Author: Barnes, Burton V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coniferous forests
Ecosystems
Forest ecology
Forest ecosystems
Forest management
Freshwater ecosystems
Lentic systems
Marine ecosystems
Old growth forests
Species
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Summary:Old-growth forest ecosystems of the northern lake states provide the opportunity to study the composition and structure of vegetation, the occurrence and behavior of animals, and the interaction of plants and animals in relation to physiography, microclimate, and soil. From a general nonrestrictive viewpoint, old-growth forest is defined as forest ecosystems dominated by old trees. This definition may be amplified, as appropriate, for different landscape ecosystem types using attributes of tree age, disturbance history, forest structure and species composition, and other characteristics relating to ecosystem processes. Understanding old growth from a landscape ecosystem perspective means that the ecosystem itself, stressing interactions of climate, physiography, soil, and vegetation, is the object-of-interest rather than just the old-growth trees (or vegetation). Emphasis on plant community types and the use of generalized type names has obscured understanding of the great regional and local diversity of oldgrowth ecosystems. Processes occurring in old-growth ecosystems are key features in the definition of old growth, and their understanding is critical to old-growth management. Abiotic factors, such as climate, landform, soil, and water movement, should be emphasized in identifying and conserving new and nontraditional old-growth ecosystems. Landscape ecosystems of different scales provide a basis for understanding the nature of plant and animal diversity and its change during succession and along abiotic gradients. Most, if not all, of the existing old-growth forests require management as well as protection and preservation.
ISSN:0885-8608
2162-4399