Characteristics of Dry-Mesic Old-Growth Oak Forests in the Eastern United States
Spetich MA, Jenkins MA, Shifley SR, Wittwer RF, Graney DL. 2022. Characteristics of Dry-Mesic Old-Growth Oak Forests in the Eastern United States. Earth. 3:975-1009
ABSTRACT: Dry-mesic old-growth oak forests are widely distributed remnants across the eastern U.S. and are expected to increase in number and extent as second-growth forests mature. In this study, we synthesize published and unpublished information to better define the species, structure and extent of these forests. Mean site tree density for trees >=10 cm dbh ranged from 341–620 trees ha-1. In the eastern part of the region, most stand basal areas were >23 m2 ha-1, compared to =10 cm dbh ranged from 31–78 ha-1 and the volume of coarse woody debris >=10 cm in diameter averaged 52 m3 ha-1. We more fully describe the characteristics of these forests and fill gaps in the collective knowledge of this increasingly important forest type. However, over the past 20 years, there has been scant research on these forests, and older research studies have used a variety of research plots and methods. A uniform approach to surveying these sites is needed to gain a better understanding of these forests before we are faced with caring for an increase in old-growth forest areas.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Spetich, Martin; Jenkins, Michael; Shifley, Stephen; Wittwer, Robert; Graney, David
- Units
- GRSM , HOSP
- Keywords
- black oak, dry-mesic forest, Fagaceae, forest dynamics, forest structure, grapevines, Kalmia latifolia, mountain laurel, northern red oak, old growth, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, physiographic regions, poison ivy, Quercus, Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina, Rhododendron maximum, rosebay rhododendron, species composition, succession, Toxicodendron radicans, tree age, Vaccinium spp., Vascular plants, Virginia creeper, Vitis spp., white oak