Classification, Description, and Dynamics of Upland Plant Communities within a Minnesota Wilderness Area

Abstract

The major upland plant community types of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) of northeastern Minnesota, identified by multivariate analyses (clustering and canonical and discriminant analysis) of 68 stands disturbed by logging and 106 stands undisturbed by logging, include the following: lichen, jack pine—oak, red pine, jack pine—black spruce, jack pine—fir, black spruce—feather moss, maple—oak, aspen—birch, aspen—birch—white pine, maple—aspen—birch, maple—aspen—birch—fir, fir—birch, and white cedar. Each of these types is based on a complex of 53 common species, through the name may incorrectly imply that one or two dominant overstory species are indicative of the type. Other forest stands from the BWCA are quantitatively related to the regional vegetation through discriminant analysis. Succession on the uplands in the area, without disturbance, leads to fir—birch and ultimately to the white—cedar community type. Whitetail deer may have had an impact on restricting the occurrence and reproduction of the white cedar type.