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Vegetation dynamics and response to disturbance of floodplain forest ecosystems with a focus on lianas

Allen, Bruce Peter
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179427491

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Natural Resources.
Southeastern floodplain forests are species-rich ecosystems that respond to dynamic interactions between disturbance and hydrologic regimes. In this dissertation, I examined how the composition and structure of floodplain forest ecosystems are regulated by these disturbances, with a particular emphasis on understanding how large woody vines interact with natural and anthropogenic disturbances in floodplain forests. The long-term studies of forest dynamics in the Congaree National Park and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina provide ideal settings to study the interactions of hydrologic and disturbance regimes in species-rich forests with a significant large woody vine component. During the twelve years following Hurricane Hugo devastated portions of the old-growth floodplain forest of the Congaree National Park, liana communities have responded to the changes in forest structure. In heavily damaged bottomland hardwood forests, liana densities initially decreased when the host trees were severely damaged but exceeded pre-hurricane densities within twelve years. In both low and high damaged bottomland hardwood forests, vine communities have experienced increasing diameter growth rates and decreasing mortality rates. Long-term trends in the density and distribution of lianas may indicate shifts in the composition of plant functional types in these forests. Radial increment data from lianas can provide insight into long-term trends in diameter growth, response to disturbance, and longevity. Ring width data suggest that liana species respond differently to the extent of canopy disturbance. Campsis consistently grew faster than Toxicodendron, with one exception being the five years following Hurricane Hugo in areas that suffered severe damage. Toxicodendron diameter growth rates increased through time starting in the 1970’s. Existing definitions for old-growth red river floodplain forests are either so broad so as to include almost any mature floodplain forest or so narrow as to conclude that they no longer exist. Further refinements are needed that incorporate disturbance regime and patterns of floodplain forest stand dynamics. In the best examples of old-growth floodplain on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the predominance of shade-intolerant tree species that has endured more than 100 years reflect this disturbance regime.
P. Goebel (Advisor)
242 p.
Biology, Ecology
bottomland hardwoods; lianas; red river floodplain forests; Hurricane Hugo; old-growth; response to disturbance; Congaree National Park

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Allen, B. P. (2007). Vegetation dynamics and response to disturbance of floodplain forest ecosystems with a focus on lianas [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179427491

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Allen, Bruce. Vegetation dynamics and response to disturbance of floodplain forest ecosystems with a focus on lianas. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179427491.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Allen, Bruce. "Vegetation dynamics and response to disturbance of floodplain forest ecosystems with a focus on lianas." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1179427491

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.