Comparative community structure ofChamaecyparis thyoides bog forests: Canopy diversity

Abstract

Chamaecyparisthyoides (L) BSP (Atlantic White Cedar), found only in acid wetlands of the eastern United States coast, dominates readily-recognized biotic assemblages that vary with latitude. This is the first of a four-part study of the literature on biota associated withC.thyoides throughout its range. The number of tree species found with cedar in each state ranges from 2 to 18. State regions with the highest canopy diversity are: east and west Florida, Massachusetts and Mississippi. States with the lowest number of associated tree species are: Alabama, Georgia and New York and Maryland. Fifty-five tree species are found growing withC.thyoides overall, with no single species in all the 17 state-regions of its range. Most trees co-occur in a narrow band: over 85% are found in 5 states or less. Species most frequently associated are:Acerrubrum,Nyssasylvatica andMagnoliavirginiana. Fire control, logging, road building, mosquito control and agricultural practices continue to alter and obliterateC.thyoides communities.