Forest Composition and Structure on Glade-forming Limestones in Middle Tennessee

Abstract

ABSTRACT Within a successional context, the vegetation associated with the cedar glade ecosystem in middle Tennessee develops from bare limestone bedrock to subclimax redcedar, preclimax oak-hickory, and climax mixed hardwood forests. Studies on the composition and structure of forests associated with cedar glade–forming limestones (Lebanon, Ridley) are rare. We sampled the canopy and understory of six forest stands in middle Tennessee on these limestones. Observed number of canopy species was 14–24 across stands; estimated richness was greater by 1–3 species (bootstrap) or 3–6 species (first-order jackknife) than observed richness. With the exception of Ailanthus altissima in one stand, all other canopy species were native. Juniperus virginiana, Fraxinus americana, Carya ovata, and Quercus muehlenbergii were primary canopy components in 4 or 6 stands, and C. glabra, Q. shumardii, Ulmus alata, F. quadrangulata, Q. alba, and Q. velutina in 2–3 stands. When we included stands from a previously published s...