The Beech Forests of Wisconsin: Changes in Forest Composition and the Nature of the Beech Border

Abstract

The forests of Wisconsin in which beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) is a component are of particular interest because of the limitation of this species to the eastern part of the state. Although touched upon in several earlier studies, these forests have not been examined throughout their range in the state. A phytosociological study was undertaken to gain information on three primary considerations: the status of the beech forest composition since the early 1800s; the nature of the beech border; and the relationship of present-day forests to other forests of the state without beech. The last of these three is to be reported on in a later paper, with the first two being taken up in the present paper. For these aspects of the study, the records of the original land survey were of primary value in providing information on the resettlement conditions of the forest. Presentday forest composition was compared with that of the past and species behavior along transects across the beech border was studied.