Using Multiple Data Sources to Understand the Formation of Heath Balds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Conkle LN. 2004. Using Multiple Data Sources to Understand the Formation of Heath Balds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Western Carolina University
An in-depth examination into the origin of heath balds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) sheds new light on the proposed origin for these unique high elevation ericaceous shrub communities. Radiocarbon dates suggest, for most heath balds, an origin independent of xerothermic glacial or post-glacial climate changes, while also demonstrating health bald formation as independent of post-European human disturbance. Further revelations of the radiocarbon studies suggest fire as the important factor in bald formation, with a clustering of ages perhaps indicating periods of dryer climate more conducive to fire. Further detailed study of heath balds indicates that heath balds have unique soils characterized by low pH, high aluminum concentration, and high organic content. The continuity of these exceptionally organic soils within heath balds indicate a continuous history, something further supported by arthropod macrofossils which are similar to the arthropod communities found in heath balds today. The continuous history shown in this study confirms that heath balds are stable climax communities, whereas field observations suggest that heath balds may actually be capable of expansion. Preliminary exploration for pollen also revealed large amounts of pollen preserved in the heath bald soils. The persistent history of heath balds and the organic preservation within their soils make heath balds a valuable tool as a potential repository for the recent climatic history of the southern Appalachians.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Conkle, Lucas
- Date of Issue
- 2004-08
- Publisher
- Western Carolina University
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Aluminum, climate history, climax communities, ericaceous, FIRE, Glacial, heath bald, Human Disturbance, macrofossils, Pollen, post-glacial, Radiocarbon Dating, Soils, thesis
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Shrubland Communities