Rare plant species monitoring in dynamic habitats along Lake Superior
Schultz JL and Loope WL. 1989. Rare plant species monitoring in dynamic habitats along Lake Superior. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 70(2):257
Vegetation dynamics of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and rare understory plants were examined on the Grand Sable Dunes of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI. The 80-90 yr old pine stands show no evidence of fire, logging, or other human disturbance and support greater number of other plants than do jack pine stands in other locations in the region. The disturbance of blowing sand creates and destroys habitats for these plant species. Evidence suggests that localized exposed gravel lags and perched water tables play a role in the stabilization of parts of the dunes. Currently jack pine stands are increasing in size onto surrounding stabilizing dunes.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Schultz, Janet; Loope, Walter
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- Dunes, Grand Sable Dunes, Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), Plant Studies, Rare Species