The Ecology of the Southern Appalachian Grass Balds
Mark AF. 1958. The Ecology of the Southern Appalachian Grass Balds. Ecological Monographs. 28(4):293 - 336
The author stated that the balds evolved from forest land; after the Wisconsin glacial times in which northern conifers extended their ranges throughout the Southern Appalachians, a warmer, drier period eliminated those below the highest elevations, and the deciduous hardwoods advanced. A later cooling period opened the space between the two forests to from the balds. The altitudinal band is around 5400 feet, the transition between conifers and hardwoods, where both forests have a marginal climatic tolerance. Without some form of management, the balds may be expected to disappear.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mark, A
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Balds, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, Historic Vegetation, Plant Studies, Succession