Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Hawkins, Tracy [1], Lockhart, B. R. [1], Devall, Margaret S. [1], Schiff, Nathan M. [1], Hamel, Paul [1].

Bottomland hardwood forest composition and structure associated with occurrence of the federally endangered species, Lindera melissifolia (Lauraceae) in Mississippi.

The purpose of this study was to provide a baseline assessment of bottomland hardwood forest composition and structure associated with occurrence of the federally endangered plant species, Lindera melissifolia. Data were collected from 34 0.04-ha plots on Delta National Forest (Sharkey County, MS) and 38 0.04-ha plots in Bolivar County, MS. Overall canopy (dbh > 10.16 cm) species composition between sites was similar (Sorenson’s Index of Similarity = 0.76). However, forest type at the Bolivar County site was Quercus dominant (Q. texana, IV₃₀₀ = 66.8 and Q. phellos, IV₃₀₀ = 57.3), whereas that at Delta National Forest was Liquidambar (IV₃₀₀ = 98.8) dominant with Celtis laevigata (IV₃₀₀ = 36.1), Acer rubrum (IV₃₀₀ = 30.1), and Q. texana (IV₃₀₀ = 28.5) secondary in importance. Subcanopy (dbh, 2.54 cm – 10.15 cm) composition was similar between the two forest transects, and was primarily composed of shade tolerant species (A. rubrum, C. laevigata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana). Lindera melissifolia occurred in 38.2% and 28.9% of plots sampled at Delta National Forest and the Bolivar County site, respectively. Within-site comparison of plots with L. melissifolia versus those plots without L. melissifolia showed a high index of similarity for the canopy stratum (Delta National Forest, 0.96; Bolivar Co., 0.93). On the other hand, between plot comparisons of subcanopy species composition at Delta National Forest showed a high index of similarity (0.89), while that of the Bolivar County site was much lower (0.52). Mean stem density and mean basal area for canopy and subcanopy strata were not significantly different between plots with L. melissifolia and those without L. melissifolia. These results indicated that sites differed relative to importance of canopy species, but within a forest type, presence of L. melissifolia was not associated with canopy or subcanopy structure.

1 - U.S. Forest Service, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, P.O. Box 227, Stoneville, Mississippi, 38776, US

Keywords:
Lindera melissifolia
Lauraceae
Endangered
bottomland forest.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 29-13
Location: Wasatch (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 11:15 AM
Abstract ID:799