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Hydrologic modifications challenge bottomland hardwood forest management

May 8, 2019

Bottomland hardwoods are floodplain forests along rivers and streams throughout the southeastern United States. The interrelations among hydrology, soils, geomorphic landforms, and tree species composition are the foundation of forest management in bottomland hardwoods, and historically their correspondence has allowed for somewhat predictable forest responses based upon the hydrogeomorphic setting. However, extensive hydrologic and geomorphic modifications in floodplains have disrupted these interrelations and, on many sites, have created novel disturbance regimes resulting in unpredictable forest responses. Reduced or altered timing of surface flooding and groundwater declines are common in the region and have favored increases in stem densities, particularly of species less tolerant of flooding and more tolerant of shade. In these highly modified systems, more process-level understanding of floodplain hydrology, soil moisture dynamics, interspecific tree competition, and regeneration is needed to develop more effective management prescriptions and for forestry to be represented in integrated water-resource management decisions.

Publication Year 2019
Title Hydrologic modifications challenge bottomland hardwood forest management
DOI 10.1093/jofore/fvz025
Authors Sammy L. King, R.F. Keim
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Forestry
Index ID 70223339
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Coop Res Unit Atlanta