Vegetative structure and composition of Southern Appalachian riparian forests

Vegetative characteristics of twelve Southern Appalachian riparian forests were sampled as part of alarger study which examined functional attributes of riparian zones. Riparian forests were representative of me mixed mesophytic forest, eastern hemlock forest, and transitions between these types. Ea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 1995-04, Vol.122 (2), p.134-144
Main Authors: Hedman, C.W. (International Paper, Bainbridge, GA.), Van Lear, D.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS
BIODIVERSIDAD
BIODIVERSITE
BIODIVERSITY
BOSQUES
CARACTERE AGRONOMIQUE
CARACTERISTICAS AGRONOMICAS
CARACTERISTICAS DEL RODAL
CAROLINA DEL NORTE
CAROLINA DEL SUR
CAROLINE DU NORD
CAROLINE DU SUD
CHARACTERISTIQUE DU PEUPLEMENT
COURS D'EAU
CURSOS DE AGUA
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
Forest stands
FORESTS
FORET
GEORGIA (EUA)
GEORGIA (USA)
GEORGIE (EU)
NORTH CAROLINA
Old growth forests
Overstory
PLANT SUCCESSION
Riparian areas
Riparian forests
RIVERS
SOUTH CAROLINA
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SPECIES RICHNESS
Stand age
STAND CHARACTERISTICS
Streams
SUCCESSION ECOLOGIQUE
SUCESION ECOLOGICA
Trees
Understory
Vegetation
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Summary:Vegetative characteristics of twelve Southern Appalachian riparian forests were sampled as part of alarger study which examined functional attributes of riparian zones. Riparian forests were representative of me mixed mesophytic forest, eastern hemlock forest, and transitions between these types. Early- and mid-successional stages were generally dominated by an overstory of pioneering shade-intolerant species and had an even-aged structure. The diameter distribution of these relatively young stands of mixed species was typically inverse J-shaped. Late-successional and old-growth stages were dominated by shade-tolerant or moderately tolerant overstory species and were uneven-aged. Diameter distribution in these older stands approximated a rotated sigmoid curve. Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum L.) was the dominant understory species and controlled understory and midstory composition. Characterization of riparian forests in different stages of succession will help understanding of vegetative processes and forms the basis of subsequent ecological studies of riparian functional dynamics.
ISSN:0040-9618
2325-8055
DOI:10.2307/2996452