Vegetation–site relationships of witness trees (1780–1856) in the presettlement forests of eastern West Virginia

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc D. Abrams ◽  
Deanna M. McCay
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Contingency Table Analysis ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
Fire Exclusion ◽  
Witness Trees ◽  
Allegheny Mountains ◽  
Pinus Spp ◽  
Ridge And Valley

Witness tree data from 1780–1856 for the Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia were analyzed with respect to physiographic unit (Ridge and Valley versus Allegheny Mountains) and landform, and compared with present-day forest composition. Contingency table analysis and standardized residuals were used to quantify the preference or avoidance of common tree species with various landforms. Pre-European settlement forests in the Ridge and Valley were dominated by mixed oak (Quercusalba L., Quercusprinus L., Quercusvelutina Lam. and Quercusrubra L.), Pinus spp., Castaneadentata (Marsh.) Borkh., and Carya on ridge sites and Q. alba, Acersaccharum Marsh., Pinus, Tiliaamericana L., and Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr. on valley floors. The original forests in the Allegheny Mountains were dominated by Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh., T. canadensis, A. saccharum, Acerrubrum L., Betula spp., and Pinus, with predominantly Fagus–Tsuga–Pinus forests on mountain tops and Tsuga–Acer–Betula forests on valley floors. Compared with the presettlement era, present-day forests on both physiographic units lack overstory C. dentata and have decreased Pinus and (or) Q. alba. Species that have increased substantially following Euro-American settlement include Q. prinus, Q. rubra, Quercuscoccinea Muenchh., and A. rubrum in the Ridge and Valley and Prunusserotina Ehrh., A. rubrum, and Betula spp. in the Allegheny Mountains. These dramatic changes in forest composition were attributed to the chestnut blight (caused by Endothiaparasitica (Murrill) P.J. Anderson & H.W. Anderson), widespread logging, intensive wildfires, and more recently, fire exclusion.

Physiographic analysis of witness-tree distribution (1765–1798) and present forest cover through north central Pennsylvania

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc D. Abrams ◽  
Charles M. Ruffner
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
North Central ◽  
Tree Distribution ◽  
High Plateau ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Central Pennsylvania ◽  
Witness Trees ◽  
Allegheny Mountains ◽  
Allegheny Plateau

This study analyzed witness-tree data recorded from 1765 to 1798 with respect to landform in four major physiographic provinces represented through north central Pennsylvania. These data were also compared with present-day forest composition to evaluate broad changes that occurred 200 years after European settlement. In the Allegheny High Plateau, Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr. represented 40–47% of witness trees in mountain coves and stream valleys, but only 9% on plateau tops, which comprised 45% Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh. Pinusstrobus L. represented ≤4% frequency across all landforms. The original forests of the Allegheny Mountains were dominated by mixed Quercus, Acer, Castaneadentata (Marsh.) Borkh., and Pinus and had significant T. canadensis only in stream valleys. The presettlement forests of the Allegheny Front and the Ridge and Valley provinces had a similar mix of Quercus, Pinus, Castanea, and Carya, with increased P. strobus on the more mesic sites and Pinusrigida Mill, on the xeric ridges. Comparisons of presettlement with present-day forest composition indicate a dramatic reduction of T. canadensis (32% to 4%) and F. grandifolia (33% to 12%) in the High Plateau and increases in Acer (11% to 37%), Quercusrubra L. (0% to 10%), Prunusserotina Ehrh. (1% to 6%), and Betula (5% to 10%). Other units exhibited reductions in P. strobus, P. rigida, Quercusalba L., and Carya spp. and increases in Quercusprinus L., Q. rubra, Acerrubrum L., and P. serotina. Castaneadentata had its greatest abundance on higher elevation sites in each physiographic unit, and the elimination of this species this century apparently facilitated the increase in Q. prinus and Q. rubra on ridge sites. South of the Allegheny Plateau, increases in A. rubrum, P. serotina, and other mixed-mesophytic species may be in response to fire exclusion this century. The results of this study indicate the importance of landform and physiography on presettlement forest composition as well as the dramatic changes that have occurred as a result of altered disturbance regimes following European settlement.

Combining environmentally dependent and independent analyses of witness tree data in east-central Alabama

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 2060-2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A Black ◽  
H Thomas Foster ◽  
Marc D Abrams
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
White Oak ◽  
East Central ◽  
Tree Data ◽  
Witness Trees ◽  
Scale Estimate ◽  
Ridge And Valley ◽  
Broad Scale

We reconstructed pre-European settlement forest composition across 13 000 km2 of east-central Alabama using 43 610 witness trees recorded in the original Public Land Surveys. First, we interpolated the witness tree data to estimate broad-scale vegetation patterns. Next, we conducted species–site analysis on landforms, an approach that was dependent on underlying environmental variables yet better resolved fine-scale vegetation patterns. East-central Alabama was dominated by three community types: oak–hickory across the Piedmont physiographic province and valleys of the Ridge and Valley province, pine – blackjack oak on the Coastal Plain province and ridges of the Ridge and Valley province, and white oak – mixed mesophytic in stream valleys and floodplains. Witness tree concentration (trees/km2) was highly uniform across much of the study area. However, there was an unusually low concentration of witness trees in the southwestern corner of the study area, and an unusually high concentration in stream valleys. Another irregularity was the inability of surveyors to distinguish black oak and red oak. Overall, the interpolations provided an unbiased, yet broad-scale estimate of forest composition, while the species–landform analysis greatly increased resolution of forest cover despite the subjectivity of defining environmental variables a priori.

scholarly journals A comparison of pre-European settlement forest characterization methodologies

2002 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 422-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Betts ◽  
Judy Loo
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Ecological Land Classification ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Pinus Spp ◽  
Tree Method

The characterization of "natural" or "presettlement" forest has become a relatively common practice in Canada as forest managers strive to put into practice concepts of sustainable forest management. Various methods have been developed to undertake such characterizations, leading to confusion about how to define "presettlement forest" and uncertainty over the approach that will best serve as a basis for management. We report on two methods of presettlement forest characterization: the "Witness Tree" and the "Potential Forests" approaches. We compare results from these approaches to the existing forest composition in the Fundy Model Forest, New Brunswick. Both approaches indicate a decline in the predominance of tolerant hardwood and eastern cedar since presettlement. However, the Potential Forests approach consistently suggests much higher presettlement frequencies of spruce (Picea spp.) and, in most cases, pine (Pinus spp.) than the Witness Tree method. Differences between frequencies of tree species estimated by the two methods probably result from biases associated with both methods and the different scales of reporting. If used critically, the combined use of both sets of presettlement forest information will allow managers to determine the historical frequency of individual tree species and forest communities. Such information will provide some guidance in maintaining the diversity of native species and community types. Key words: presettlement forest, ecological land classification, Witness Tree method, Potential Forests, forest management, biodiversity

The pre-European settlement forest composition of the Miramichi River watershed, New Brunswick, as reconstructed using witness trees from original land surveys

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1159-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Aubé
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Tree Data ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Witness Trees ◽  
Definition Of

The goal of this investigation was to characterize the pre-European settlement forest composition of the Miramichi River watershed using witness trees to contribute to the definition of a baseline for assessing changes over time in the Acadian forest. The witness tree data were stratified by ecoregion and by ecosite, for the portions of the watershed that are in the Northern Uplands, Continental Lowlands, and Eastern Lowlands ecoregions of New Brunswick, as well as by riparian and inland forest; and pre-settlement forest composition (1787–1847) was compared with current forest composition (1998–2000). The witness tree data constitute evidence that a distinctive riparian forest existed before European settlement and that the difference between riparian and inland forest has lessened. They show that the proportions of Betula spp., Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, Ulmus americana L., and Thuja occidentalis L. have decreased; that the proportion of Acer spp. has increased and that Picea spp. and Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. var. balsamea have maintained their overall dominance of the forest in number of individuals, and have increased it on at least 50% of the watershed area.

scholarly journals West Virginia Tree Farmers and Consulting Foresters: A Comparison of Views on Timber Harvesting

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew F. Egan ◽  
John Rowe ◽  
Dan Peterson ◽  
Grover Philippi
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
West Virginia ◽  
Contingency Table ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Contingency Table Analysis ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Forest Practices ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Abstract A mail survey sought the responses of West Virginia Tree Farmers and consulting foresters to questions related to timber harvesting. The intent was to examine the attitudinal similarities and differences between citizens who own forestland and are predisposed to forest management and the forestry professionals often charged with assisting with the management of these resources. Results of contingency table analysis indicated agreement between landowners and foresters on general harvesting philosophies and objectives, but disagreement on specific logging outcomes and environmental effects. The possibility of significant differences between landowners and foresters on issues such as banning clearcutting and the effects of logging on the forest environment indicates a need for efforts to educate not only landowners about forest practices, but also foresters about landowner objectives and attitudes. North. J. Appl. For. 14(1):16-19.

Abstract 662: Association Analysis of Raptor Gene Variants with Overweight and Hypertension in American Men of Japanese Ancestry

Hypertension ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J Morris ◽  
Bruce A Carnes ◽  
Randi Chen ◽  
Timothy A Donlon ◽  
Qimei He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Recursive Partitioning ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Contingency Table Analysis ◽  
Hypertension Status ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Homogeneous Population ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
Mtor Complex 1 ◽  
Japanese Ancestry

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is pivotal for cell growth and has been implicated in aging, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. mTOR signaling is involved in cardiac leptin-mediated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis associated with obesity. mTOR is a key component of two multiprotein complexes, mTOR complex 1 and mTOR complex 2. The former is pro-growth and contains a unique protein, raptor. The present study tested for the first time whether genetic variation across the raptor gene ( RPTOR ) is associated with overweight/obesity, essential hypertension (EHT) and isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). We genotyped 61 common (allele frequency ≥ 0.1) tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that captured most of the genetic variation across RPTOR in 374 subjects of normal lifespan and 439 subjects with a lifespan exceeding 95 years. Subjects were drawn from the Honolulu Heart Program, a homogeneous population of American men of Japanese ancestry, well characterized for phenotypes relevant to conditions of aging. Hypertension status was ascertained when subjects were 45–68 years old. Statistical evaluation was performed by contingency table analysis, logistic regression and recursive partitioning (RP), which is regarded as amongst the most powerful methods for statistical analysis of large complex sets of genetic information. After analysis of RPTOR genotypes by each statistical approach we found no significant association between genetic variation in RPTOR and either EHT or ISH. For EHT, RP revealed that even the most predictive SNPs ( rs4969322 and rs4890052 ) provided little contribution to correctly assigning individuals to EHT or NT ( P =0.22 by Z test). In the case of ISH, RP revealed that only one SNP ( rs2589118 ) made a noticeable contribution, and that this was no better than the contribution from the weakest laboratory/examination variable (overweight/obesity). In contrast, for overweight/obesity, the RP model revealed that RPTOR SNPs significantly enhanced the predictive capacity of the model ( P =0.008 by one-tailed Z test). In conclusion, genetic variation across RPTOR is associated with overweight/obesity, but not EHT or ISH in the populations of normal lifespan and of long-lived subjects studied.

scholarly journals Assessing Summer Pond and Lake Inlet Use by Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis complex) Using PVC Pipe Traps in Northwest Missouri

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2020) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
J. D. McGhee
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Hyla Versicolor ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Contingency Table Analysis ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
Pvc Pipe ◽  
Gray Treefrog

Abstract The widespread decline in amphibian populations highlights the need for establishing rigorous monitoring methods for long-term population studies. In an attempt to launch a long-term monitoring study for a Gray Treefrog complex (Hyla versicolor LeConte /chrysoscelis Cope, hereafter treefrog) population in northwest Missouri, I tested the use of PVC pipe traps in a system of ponds and inlets along a lakeside habitat for three years. For each pond (3) and inlet (2), I established an array of 16 pipes so as to compare differences in use between pipe location, ponds and inlets, and sex ratio between sites. Pipes were checked twice a week during the summer for the presence of treefrogs. Treefrog usage of pipes between ponds and inlets were compared using a contingency table analysis, while an ANOVA was used to assess differences in sex ratios between sites (α = 0.05). A single inlet was used by treefrogs more heavily than the other ponds or inlet (G = 13.61, df = 3, P = 0.0035), however, I found no differences in terms of pipe location within a pond or inlet. Mean sex ratio between water bodies varied but did not significantly differ. There appears to be little effect in terms of pipe placement within our 50 m buffer from the water's edge, but unique habitat effects at sampling locations may significantly affect detection rates or usage.

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