Ocmulgee National Monument: A Vegetative History, Ocmulgee National Monument, National Park Service

Froeschauer, Peggy

The purpose of the project was to document past land uses within the 638 acre tract of the Ocmulgee National Monument (excluding the 40 acre Lamar site) and assess the known or probable effects of the various uses on the surrounding vegetation. The project entailed recording contemporary vegetation patterns within the study area and reviewing available data including written accounts, historic maps, period photographs, aerial photographs, field notes, and personal interviews to document and map previous vegetation patterns according to specific time periods. During the historic period (1540 to present), the vegetation within the study area was altered by activities which included: clearing and subsequent abandonment of agricultural fields; woodland grazing in areas unsuitable for farming; clearing for railroad lines; clay mining for brick manufacturing; and extensive archaeological excavations. The various land uses are described according to the time period within which they occurred, the resulting effects on vegetation patterns are interpreted. The report then describes contemporary vegetation patterns as they relate to historic land uses. The goal of this study is to describe the development of the present landscape by relating the existing vegetation patterns to earlier human activities. The objectives of this study were to: Collect written accounts, photographic and cartographic documentation concerning the land use history of the study area Describe changes in vegetation patterns as they relate to various land use activitiesResearch on the subject began with a preliminary site visit during which known and probable locations of biotic and abiotic cultural features were noted.

Ocmulgee National Monument: A Vegetative History, Ocmulgee National Monument, National Park Service

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