Vegetation Development in a Modified Riparian Environment: Human Imprints on an Allegheny River Wilderness

摘要: Pristine floodplain forests are virtually nonexistent in the eastern United States, requiring that preservation efforts focus on relatively intact representatives of these unique ecosystems, many situated where hydrologic modifications norm. This article examines vegetation dynamics for one such natural area, a wilderness island northwestern Pennsylvania, to assess how ecological processes riparian preserve affected by changes surrounding environment. Ordination sample identifies several landscape patches island; structure and historical development communities analyzed using tree ring patterns, aerial photography, flood regime characteristics preceding following construction large dam upstream. Research sites has emphasized role floods as disturbance generates early successional habitat. Here, however, moderation shifted impact from distu...