The mode of propagation of a plant species may influence its success in recolonizing a successional forest following agricultural disturbance. It is hypothesized that plants with animal-borne or broadcast-dispersed seed will successfully recolonize, while plants which rely upon vegetative propagules may not repopulate the disturbed area. This hypothesis was tested by comparing vascular, herbaceous plant communities of two forests (one old-growth and one successional) in east-central Indiana. Populations of vascular, herbaceous plant species were inventoried in both forests, and the soil characteristics (organic matter and pH) of both areas were analyzed. The two forests had similar soil organic matter profiles, but the pH of the disturbed forest was significantly lower than that of the undisturbed area. Most vegetatively-propagated plant species were, as predicted, significantly more abundant in the undisturbed forest; the disturbed area had been effectively recolonized by animal-borne and broadcast-dispersed seed plants. This perspective has implications for long-term management of east-central Indiana forests. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/185443 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Bowman, G. Brian |
| Contributors | Mortensen, Charles O. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vi, 48 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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