Charles M. Ruffner

Community Composition and Structural Changes in a Managed Illinois Ozark Hills Forest

Abstract Forest stand dynamics were evaluated in a previously managed Quercus-Carya-dominated forest inventoried in 1980 and 2000, a period during which all active forest management was suspended and fire suppression was complete. The diameter distribution superficially resembled a stable unevenaged structure. Over the course of the study, smaller diameter classes were increasingly dominated by shade tolerant species Acer saccharum and Fagus grandifolia across all landscape positions. Diameter distribution changes varied among Quercus species with Q. alba and Q. rubra basal area increasing 63 and 45%, respectively, and Q. velutina decreasing 25% in the >43.2 cm size class. Combined Q. alba, Q. rubra and Q. velutina density decreased 56% in the <27.9 cm size classes. Transition towards a mesophyte-dominated forest is occurring across all positions in this topographically-diverse landscape, although more slowly on the drier, less productive aspects and slope positions. These changes are comparable to those reported in undisturbed forests of similar overstory composition. The results suggest that sustaining a sizeable component of the presently dominant overstory species will require remedial management strategies that take into account the regeneration requirements of Quercus, Carya and other presently dominant taxa. The decrease in Q. velutina density in the >43.2 cm size class suggests a decline in the regeneration potential of this short lived species.

Past land use, disturbance regime change, and vegetation response in a southern Illinois bottomland conservation area1

Abstract Forested bottomland conservation areas in the midwestern and southern United States are subject to an increasingly diverse range of demands for recreational use and other ecosystem services, many dependent upon the maintenance of specific plant communities. Historical land use and other disturbances have shaped present vegetation composition, but these impacts are poorly understood. This study examined historical land use records, dendrochronological evidence, and pre- and post-tornado vegetation, with and without salvage logging, to assess forest composition changes over approximately 125 years at Mermet Lake Conservation Area in southern Illinois. This site has land use history, vegetation cover, and a management mandate common to many large river bottomland forests in the Midwest and southern USA. The vegetation of the area prior to Euro-American settlement was primarily a forest dominated by Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. and Nyssa aquatica L. A period of drainage and conversion to agriculture began ca. 1900 and was followed by public ownership as a conservation area since 1950. Management during this latter period was characterized by partial hydrologic restoration and complete fire suppression. The post-agriculture forest was dominated by oaks (Quercus spp.) with a transition to mixed mesophytic and bottomland hardwood forests. Following a tornado, composition and diversity within the developing stand varied along a wind intensity gradient but tended toward increasing dominance of mixed mesophytic species at the expense of Quercus. Subsequent partial salvage logging further increased vegetation complexity in response to mineral soil exposure and creation of microtopographic variation. Grading and seeding of skid trails following salvage operations produced compositionally distinct vegetation communities. Increasing prevalence of the invasive exotic Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus., especially on salvaged plots, is expected to continue to impact vegetation communities at Mermet Lake. Our results suggest that historical alterations in site hydrologic conditions, from pre-drainage to drainage to partial hydrological restoration, in combination with associated land use changes, produced drastic changes in forest community composition over the last century. Managers of this and similar bottomland forest areas need to consider disturbance regime changes and appropriate silvicultural strategies needed to create or maintain the historical range of vegetation types associated with sometimes disparate conservation objectives

Fire History and Stand Structure of High Quality Black Oak (Quercus velutina) Sand Savannas

ABSTRACT: We surveyed high quality, remnant black oak sand savannas across four sites in northeastern Illinois to compare characteristics of stand structure and tree vigor with fire history. Dendrochronological methods were applied to 289 dated fire scars identified on 60 Quercus velutina trees. Stand structure was characterized using 30 circular plots (0.04 ha each) per stand during summer 2007. Tree recruitment dynamics differed among the four stands, suggesting that canopy decline dynamics among them is likely to differ in coming decades. Frequent fire intervals (less than two years) were associated with canopy openness, but also a paucity of future canopy trees. Under these frequent fire regimes, we predict a loss of canopy cover, as no smaller trees were present to assume dominance. Fire intervals longer than two years were associated with transition to closed canopy forests. These results suggest that savanna managers should consider other disturbances, such as selective cutting and or grazing, along with fire to sustain both herbaceous and canopy tree components.

Water resources development considerations for civilian and military institutions working in highly insecure areas: lessons from Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan included an unprecedented level of international civilian and military cooperation to address water insecurity within violence-prone rural communities. However, water development projects often fell short of expectations held by Afghans and by civilian and military personnel within the International Security Assistance Force. Failure to adequately consider hydrologic principles and social realities was often to blame. Joint pre-deployment training programmes are suggested as key to effective coordination and tactical implementation to address similar problems elsewhere. Also needed are consistent use of metrics for success and the selection of appropriate interventions complementary to long-term development objectives.

Data on ecological associations and stand structure of chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex D. Don) in Afghanistan

Reported here are original data related to the article “Indigenous knowledge and stand characteristics of a threatened tree species in a highly insecure area: Chilgoza pine in Afghanistan” (Shalizi et al., 2018) [1]. A dendrochronological summary of all known chilgoza pine tree growth increment cores collected in Afghanistan is presented in this data in brief article. Chilgoza pine trees and regeneration density profiles are reported for four provinces of eastern Afghanistan. In addition, images depicting chilgoza pine forest structure, stand conditions, and utilization impacts are presented.

A Dendroecological Investigation of an Upland Oak-Dominated Forest within the Grand Prairie Region of Illinois

ABSTRACT We studied an upland forest located within the Grand Prairie region of Illinois and utilized tree-ring analysis to document tree cohort development and radial growth in relation to stand disturbance and climate. The overstory within the Humiston Woods Nature Center (Livingston County, Illinois) study area was dominated by oak (Quercus spp.), hickory (Carya spp.), and ash (Fraxinus spp.), while the subordinate crown classes were principally composed of elm (Ulmus spp.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). The study area contained tree cohorts originating during two recruitment periods. Overstory oaks and hickories primarily established between 1865 and 1900. A second tree cohort was associated with a timber harvest occurring in the late 1960s. In contrast to the 1865–1900 recruitment period, trees within the 1965–1980 cohort were primarily ash, elm, sugar maple, and black cherry (Prunus serotina). RWI values were most strongly correlated with Palmer Drought Severity Index, precipitation, and temperature in June of the current growth year. RWI and radial increment data for overstory oaks highlighted a sustained growth increase following a late 1960s timber harvest that remained high relative to predisturbance growth rates even in pronounced drought years. Data provide needed insight into oak woodland recruitment patterns relating to disturbance regimes that are difficult to recreate at the landscape level but often serve as ecological restoration objectives. Our findings help extend the foundational knowledge regarding forest composition, stand level dynamics, and radial growth relationships present among upland forests and changing disturbance patterns in the Grand Prairie region of Illinois.