The Impacts of Hurricane Gloria, Deer & Trails, The Sunken Forest, Fire Island National Seashore, Fire Island, NY

Art, Henry

This report is part of the continuing study of changes in the vegetation communities on Fire Island in general and the Sunken Forest in particular. Data collected in the summer of 1987 indicate that there continues to be a low level of mortality related to the September, 1985 hurricane. Several partially uprooted Sassafras albidum and Amelanchier canadensis trees died between August, 1986 and August, 1987. In most areas within the Sunken Forest the shrub layer continues to show a vigorous response to the opening up of the canopy above. The decline of the herbaceous perennial related to deer grazing continues even though the woody seedling populations continue to flourish. Dramatic changes have occurred in the herb layer after the first year of the deer exclosure study, with cover increasing from 7.1% to 10.6% in exclosed forest plots and seedling density nearly doubling. Control plots remained essentially constant. In the assessment of the impacts of the Sunken Forest boardwalk and associated "dirt" trails on the herbaceous layer, it was found that the boardwalk itself had little negative impact compared to the considerable negative influence of the dirt paths. Smilax rotundifolia appears to be giving protection to the herb layer and herbaceous cover is related to Smilax abundance.