A Comparison of Vegetation and Soils in Floodplain and Basin Forested Wetlands of Southeastern Wisconsin

Abstract

There are significant differences between vegetation and soils in floodplain and basin forests in southeastern Wisconsin. Acer saccharinum dominates the tree layer in both types of forest. Floodplain forests are typified by significantly higher importance of Fraxinus pennsylvanica and lower importance of F nigra than basin forests. Basin stands contain several less common species (F nigra, Betula alleghaniensis and A. rubrum) that distinguish them from floodplain stands. Other layers also differ significantly in species composition. Significant differences also exist in several soil characteristics. Soils of floodplain forests have an unusually high pH compared with other eastern U.S. forest soils and have lower levels of organic matter, calcium and magnesium than basin forest soils. Basin forest soils are acidic. The pH of all soils, regardless of stand type, is significantly and negatively correlated with levels of Ca, Mg and organic matter.