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Relation of plant species to substrate, landscape position, and aspect in north central Massachusetts

G.G. Whitney

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Volume

21

Issue

8

First Page

1245

Last Page

1252

Publication Date

1991

Abstract

Vegetation–site relationships in the region about the Harvard Forest in north central Massachusetts were explored by means of contingency table and cluster analyses of presence–absence data. Most of the arboreal species, the shrubs, and the ferns were strongly associated with segments of a microclimate – soil moisture gradient determined by landscape position and substrate. Cluster analysis of the species suggested the existence of a fertility gradient, with the more nutrient demanding white ash (Fraxinusamericana L.), sugar maple (Acersaccharum L.) and basswood (Tiliaamericana L.) on one end of the gradient and pitch pine (Pinusrigida Mill.), scrub oak (Quercusilicifolia Wangenh.), and aspen (Populus sp.) on the more impoverished sites. An analysis of the feasibility of determining vegetation–site relationships in an area with a long history of human disturbances concludes the report.

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