An Analysis of Past and Present Vegetational Patterns and Historic Parameters at Fort Donelson with Recommendations for Restoration and Future Management
McCrain GR and Grubb AL. 1987. An Analysis of Past and Present Vegetational Patterns and Historic Parameters at Fort Donelson with Recommendations for Restoration and Future Management. Cultural Landscape Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Raleigh, North Carolina
Past research efforts concerning the Battle of Fort Donelson have concentrated on interpreting events and identifying details of the fighting. However, natural features that represented critical components of the battlefield and surrounding terrain during the Civil War period are poorly understood. This report represents an effort made to address that omission and compare/contrast expected historical plant community patterns with vegetative types in existence today. The location of roads, pathways, and other significant cultural features that were present at the time of the 1862 battle have also been investigated. Factors affecting distribution and restoration of desirable historic parameters are evaluated along with recommendations for recreation and management. The report's chronology begins with European settlement in 1795 in the flat Cumberland Valley. The report identifies three early plant community types: upland oak forest, swamp lowlands, and prairie communities.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- McCrain, Gerald; Grubb, Audrey
- Date of Issue
- 1987
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- FODO , SER
- Keywords
- Cherokee, Chickasaw, fort, landscape, military, prairie, prescribed burn, swamp lowlands, upland oak forest