Jockey Hollow: Observations and hypotheses with reference to succession in the forest vegetation

Russell, Emily

This study was carried out to attempt to answer the question: Is the vegetation that is here a reflection of natural succession or of historic landscape or is it greatly modified by planting, introduced species, or changing deer or other herbivore populations? Historical documents were reviewed to find information on past practices. Field work was undertaken in June of 1989 to characterize the tree vegetation of four forest stands of different ages and histories. It was concluded that there is a strong possibility that succession as it is occurring today at Jockey Hollw is strongly affected by introduced species (vegetation and insect pests) and grazing pressure, mainly by deer but also by other herbivores. Physical characteristics (shade and soil moisture) also play a role in succession. also, there is an indication that the successional trends have changed over the last 50 years. In the historical record, succession was to gray birch or red cedar trees, now it is to yellow poplar and tulip trees. Permanent plots should be set up to monitor vegetational changes in these forests. Also, the fate of seedlings should be examined in permanent plots and in exclosures. Seedling data and a species list of trees is given in the report.