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Harvard Forest Symposium Abstract 2006

• Title: The structure, composition, and dynamics of old-growth forests in the Berkshire Hills and Taconic Mountains, western Massachusetts
• Primary Author: Tony D'Amato (University of Massachusetts )
• Additional Authors: David Orwig (Harvard Forest)
• Abstract:

  The recent discovery of 18 remnant, old-growth forests in the Berkshire Hills and Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts has provided an unprecedented opportunity to document the composition, structure, dynamics, and ecosystem properties of these rare ecosystems. In particular, we are interested in quantifying structural attributes, such as coarse woody debris (CWD), the composition of understory plant communities, ecosystem properties such as nitrogen retention and nutrient stores, and the stand and landscape-level dendroecological dynamics. In addition, direct comparisons of these attributes with second-growth stands will allow us to develop critical databases for conservation and management strategies aimed at creating old-growth structures in second-growth forests. Currently, information gained through this research is being used to assist State planning efforts for large-scale reserves on public land in Massachusetts (D’Amato et al. 2006).
  
  
  
  
  
  We are currently analyzing data from eighteen old-growth and eight adjacent second-growth sites scattered throughout the Berkshire Hills and Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. All sites are characterized by extremely steep slopes (mean = 81.3 %) and range in elevation from 330 to 710 m.a.s.l. Composition in these areas ranges from mixed Tsuga canadensis/Picea rubens forests to northern hardwood forests containing mixtures of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, and Betula alleghaniensis. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a dominant overstory species in a majority (16 out of 18) of these stands making this a critical time to be documenting these unique ecosystems, as they are currently not infested by the hemlock woolly adelgid.
  
  
  
  
  
  Extensive dendroecological analyses revealed these sites are characterized by uneven-aged forests with a range of tree sizes and ages. Within these areas, T. canadensis ranges in age from 289- 488 years old, P. rubens from 220- 414 years old, and F. grandifolia from 150-271 years old. Coarse woody debris volumes (CWD) in T. canadensis-dominated old-growth stands ranged from 66-202 m3/ha, whereas northern hardwood old-growth sites contained 55 m3/ha. Dramatic differences in CWD volumes existed between second-growth and old-growth forests (33.2 versus 135.2 m3/ha in second- versus old-growth forests, respectively) highlighting one of the many unique aspects of these old-growth systems relative to the predominantly second-growth matrix in western Massachusetts. Through future dendroecological and CWD analyses we hope to develop a better understanding of how past disturbances have shaped the abundance and distribution of CWD in these forests.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Research Category: Regional Studies