Northern Lower Michigan Research Articles

Four Decades of Secondary Succession in Two Lowland Permanent Plots in Northern Lower Michigan

Two 0. 1-acre lowland permanent plots in northern lower Michigan were compared for changes since 1938 in community structure and population dynamics. One was on wet sandy soil with Populus tremuloides dominant in 1938, and was severely affected by a storm in 1940. The other was on wet organic soil with Thuja occidentalis, Picea mariana and Abies balsamea present and was unaffected by the 1940 storm. In the conifer plot basal area continuously increased, whereas species richness and density peaked ca. 30 years after logging and burning and declined to a low in 1981. In general, survivorship was highest for trees already established in 1938, and numbers of recruits as well as their diameter growth and survivorship decreased as stand age increased. As a result, 85%o of the 1981 population of conifers was present in 1938. The present population of trees was most strongly influenced by conditions at the time of establishment at least 50 years ago, and events since then have been of minor importance. In contrast, a storm in 1940 destroyed the overstory aspen of Plot 6, causing an initial decrease in basal area, temporary increase in species richness, and shift in dominance from trees to shrubs. Eleven years later, the basal area had returned to prestorm levels, largely because of increases in Alnus rugosa. By 1981 Fraxinus nigra had increased in number; Acer rubrum, Populus tremuloides, Abies balsamea and Betula papyrifera had larger dbh but low density because of high mortality and low recruitment. In 1981, 41 years after the storm, the plot was still dominated by a dense shrub layer of Alnus rugosa and Ilex verticillata.

Floristic composition before and after prescribed fire on a jack pine clear-cut site innorthern lower Michigan

Permanent frequency and cover plots were established and monitored for 3 years on a recent jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) clear-cut in northern lower Michigan to characterize vegetational changes on burned and unburned blocks. Community data were also recorded from an adjacent mature jack pine stand. Vaccinium dominated (30% cover) the mature jack pine understory, whereas at the time of burning, the clear-cut site (3 year old) was dominated (33% cover) by Carexpensylvanica Lam. Two years after fire, burned blocks were significantly different from unburned blocks in terms of total cover, cover of grasses and sedges, and number of perennial forbs. Egler's initial floristic composition model was supported by the fact that every species in the mature jack pine understory was present on either the unburned or burned clearcut blocks.

Protozoan Colonization Rates and Trophic Status of Some Freshwater Wetland Lakes

ABSTRACTPrimary productivity, chlorophyll a, phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients, and other chemical and physical parameters were measured in 13 wetland lakes in northern lower Michigan. These lakes included several examples located in each of the four major wetland types—bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps. Of the four types, the brown‐colored waters of the acid bog lakes generally had the highest levels of primary productivity, chlorophyll a, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Primary productivity correlated positively with water color, total‐N, and NH3‐N (α≤ 0.05). By these measures, waters of the bogs were the most eutrophic of the four types of wetland lakes. These findings would seem to contradict the generally‐held concept that “dystrophic” bog lakes are extremely oligotrophic.Protozoan colonization of artificial substrate islands was monitored at each wetland site. The correlation between protozoan colonization rates (G values in the MacArthur‐Wilson noninteractive model) and primary productivity, measured by 24‐h light and dark bottle incubations, was significant at the 95% confidence level (r= 0.850, P= 0.001) and with water color at the 90% confidence level (r= 0.599, P= 0.084). It was concluded that protozoan colonization rate was an excellent indicator of the trophic status of wetland lakes.

Petrographic and Trace Element Analysis of Nonreef Silurian Carbonates, Northern Lower Michigan: ABSTRACT

Carbonate sediments of the northern reef trend in Michigan have been the subject of serious scientific scrutiny since the discovery of significant hydrocarbon reservoirs in pinnacle reefs in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The reef trend is a complex of reef and nonreef carbonate facies capped by an evaporite/carbonate sequence. The reef and the evaporite/carbonate sequence have been extensively described and discussed over the last decade. However, the nonreef (interreef) facies has received little more than brief descriptions throughout this time. As these nonreef carbonates are virtually barren of hydrocarbons, their analysis has been neglected. Most exploration for pinnacle reefs centers around geophysical techniques; however, it should be considered that patterns of textural or geochemical gradients may occur between the reef masses and surrounding nonreef deposits. This study examines, in detail, the petrographic and geochemical character of these nonreef (interreef) sediments. These characteristics can provide additional data and a potential exploration tool for determining the spatial facies relationship between pinnacle reefs and interreef carbonates in the Michigan northern reef trend. End_of_Article - Last_Page 518------------

Albedo Following Fire in a Northern Hardwood Forest

Abstract Changes in albedo were tracked following fire on 18 August 1980 in a successional hardwood forest in northern lower Michigan (43°33′N, 84°42′W). Shortwave albedo (300–3000 nm) changed little with zenith angle up to 55°, but then increased rapidly. The rate of change in albedo with zenith angle was highest in July and lowest in early spring and late autumn. Midday albedo increased from 7.7% five days after the fire to 10.8% after six weeks. During the 1981 and 1982 growing seasons, albedo increased from 10.4 and 13.6% in mid-May to peaks of 17.8 and 18.1% in early July, respectively, with values then declining through autumn. Albedo increased with percent coverage of ground surface with live vegetation up to 35% cover, with little further change in albedo with cover, up to the maximum oberved value of 70%. The ratio at midday of albedo in visible wavelengths (400–700 nm) to total shortwave albedo decreased from 0.49 in mid-May 1982 to a minimum of 0.22 in mid-July and then increased to 0.45 in mid...

On the Origin of the Field Plants of the Northeastern United States

Old fields have dominated studies of terrestrial plant succession in the eastern United States. In spite of the tremendous amount of work on old field succession, fundamental questions remain. One such question is the subject of the present paper: In the primeval landscape, where were the plants that are abundant today in old fields? The question holds interest not only for interpretation of the northeastern landscape but also for understanding of the habitats in which field plants evolved. The plants of fallow agricultural fields are widely assumed to be early successional species, i.e., plants adapted to move from one temporary opening to another, but did they really evolve as successional plants? Many of the plants that grow in abandoned fields today are not native to North America and were thus not part of the landscape prior to European settlement. Bard (1952) reported that between one fifth and one third of the plant species in old fields in New Jersey were alien to North America. It is of the remaining two thirds (roughly 100 species) that we can ask, Where was a sun-loving field flora growing in a landscape that was heavily forested? According to Braun (1950, p. 7), "When the first settlers colonized the Atlantic seaboard ... they found an endless expanse of forest broken only by swamps and bogs, by cliffs or river bluffs too steep for forest, by windfalls and burns, by small grassy openings such as the serpentine barrens of the northern Piedmont, and by the prairie patches and 'barrens' of the interior.' Four hypotheses can be suggested to account for the location of native field plants in the presettlement landscape. (1) They evolved on agricultural land abandoned by Indians far back in time. (2) Native field plants migrated eastward from prairies and savannas at the western margin of the deciduous forest with the onset of extensive clearing for settlement and agriculture and with the development of continuous east-west corridors of open field habitat along railroads and canals. (3) Native field plants were true pioneer or early successional species that colonized temporary forest openings caused by wind, fire, and other kinds of

Response of Understory Vegetation to Fertilization on Mature and Clear-cut Jack Pine Sites in Northern Lower Michigan

A study was established on jack pine sites in northern lower Michigan to investigate the effects of fertilization on the relative growth of understory vegetation on clear-cut and undisturbed sites. The primary objective was to discern if the dramatic increases in Carex pensylvanica following disturbance (e.g., fire and clear-cutting) were in part due to its ability to exploit newly available nutrient resources. Total live shoot biomass as well as live shoot biomass of Carex and blueberry were significantly increased on fertilized blocks in mature jack pine and on clear-cut sites. Fertilized to control biomass ratios showed that Carex consistently had an above-average response to fertilization in both mature jack pine and clear-cut sites compared to the community average. Biomass of Carex species from a recent prescribed burn site greatly exceeded that of any other species. During this experiment, neither Carex pensylvanica nor any other species appeared to greatly suppress or exclude neighboring species. Although C. pensylvanica showed a preferential uptake of nutrient fertilizer, it is apparent that its expansion following clear-cutting and burning is in response to other factors such as increased space, light, soil temperatures and available moisture, as well as increased nutrient availability.

Social Conflict Associated with Turnaround Migration: Evidence from Northern Michigan

The possibility of social conflict associated with turnaround migration has been raised, but has thus far received only limited empirical examination. This paper reports comparisons between urban origin newcomers and established permanent residents in two northern lower Michigan counties experiencing turnaround migration. Minimal differences were found between the groups in their background characteristics and attitudes toward local public services and regional growth and development. Newcomers were more likely to participate in outdoor recreation activities, but this difference in itself is not seen as a major source of social conflict. Attributes of the study area are considered to explain the absence of differences expected from review of the literature. Research reported in this paper was funded by the National Science Foundation, Research Applied to National Needs Program, Grant Number 34898. The findings, opinions and recommendations expressed herein are the authors' and not necessarily those of the...

Reproductive Behavior of Female Wild Turkeys in Northern Lower Michigan

Reproductive Behavior of Female Wild Turkeys in Northern Lower Michigan

Acid precipitation: Its role in the alkalization of a lake in Michigan1

The watershed of Weber Lake in northern lower Michigan has experienced a nearly 20‐fold increase in proton loading from acid precipitation in the past 25 years. But, owing to alkalinity production by biologically mediated processes (nitrate uptake by plants and sulfate reduction by bacteria) and increased rates of carbonate weathering, acid precipitation has doubled the alkalinity, raised the equilibrium pH, and made this soft‐water seepage lake more eutrophic.An acid‐base budget for Weber Lake and its watershed was constructed from the difference between bulk precipitation input and lake water output. Strict application of the first law of thermodynamics and the principle of electroneutrality permits the calculation of the acid‐base budget from the input‐output budget. The acid‐base budget indicates that alkalinity production resulting from nitrate uptake and sulfate reduction is sufficient to completely neutralize the hydrogen ions entering the system from acid precipitation (including biologically mediated hydrogen ion production). The acid‐base budget shows that the alkalinity of Weber Lake has doubled primarily as a result of increased rates of weathering in the watershed. Weathering rates have increased as an indirect result of acid precipitation.

Estimating biomass in northern lower Michigan forest stands

Forest biomass data are now being sought by many forest managers and specialists. These data have been accumulating rapidly in recent years, but numerous gaps remain for various forest types, locations, and site quality levels. This paper illustrates how available information was carefully synthesized to generate biomass data for the evaluation and management of forest stands in northern lower Michigan. The basic approach involved the integration of published specific gravity and biomass distribution data with bolewood volumes predicted from regression equations relating these volumes to stand height and basal area. Preliminary evaluations of the data thus generated indicate that the approach should produce reasonable estimates of stand biomass in this region.

Early revegetation of clear-cut and burned jack pine sites in northern lower Michigan

Revegetation of clear-cut and (or) burned jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) sites in northern lower Michigan was characterized during the first 5 years following treatment. Burning promoted the establishment of a large variety of species not typical of unburned areas. A total of 89 species was recorded on burned sites, of which 40 were exclusive, compared with 51 species on unburned sites, of which only 2 species were exclusive. Burned sites consistently showed greater species richness compared with unburned sites of the same age. Low species diversity on the older unburned clear-cuts (years 3 to 6) and certain burned sites was directly influenced by the dominance of the sedge Carex pensylvanica. The total domination of Carex (up to 86% relative cover) on many of these sites appears to be unique to northern lower Michigan. It is hypothesized that Carex, acting as an opportunistic species, monopolizes the space and soil resources liberated following disturbances and suppresses or excludes other species.

A comparison of vascular vegetation and protozoan communities in some freshwater wetlands of Northern Lower Michigan

Vascular vegetation and protozoan communities were sampled in seven wetland sites — two bogs, two fens, two marshes, and one ‘swamp’ — in summer 1977. Two similarity indices were used to compare vascular vegetation and Protozoa from each site with all the other sites. Bog sites were the most distinct from other wetland types with respect to chemical and physical characteristics, dominant vascular vegetation, and protozoan species composition. The ‘swamp’ site had the highest similarity to all other sites with respect to both dominant vascular vegetation and protozoan species. Protozoan communities from different wetland types were much more similar than dominant vascular species; however, the pattern of similarity between wetland sites was very similar for both groups (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient = 0.76).

Vegetation and nutrient status of northern Michigan bogs and conifer swamps with a comparison to fens

The vegetation and shallow groundwater were sampled at six bog and four conifer swamp sites in northern Lower Michigan in the same manner as at five previously described fen sites.The bogs were characterized by well-developed field (low shrub, herb, and fern), and bryophyte layers and strongly acid waters (pH 3.8–4.3). The most prevalent field-layer plants were Chamaedaphne calyculata and Carex oligosperma while Sphagnum spp. dominated the bryophyte layer. The number of vascular plant species in the field layer was 14 ± 4 (mean ± SD). The conifer swamps were characterized by well-developed tree and field layers and circumneutral waters (pH 7.0–7.4). Thuja occidentalis strongly dominated the tree layer and Mitella nuda, Abies balsamea, and Maianthemum canadense were the most prevalent field layer plants. The number of vascular plant species in the field layer was 57 ± 7 (mean ± SD).The bogs, conifer swamps, and fens are related developmentally (successionally) but differ strongly in floristics, species density, proportion of evergreen species, role of symbiotic nitrogen fixing species, role of Sphagnum spp., and water chemistry. Although these wetland types are often grouped together under the term "bog" or are considered successional stages of "bog," they differ markedly in vegetation and water chemistry, and are best considered as separate but related wetland types.

Immigration, Emigration, and Return Rates among Firearm Deer Hunters in Northern Lower Michigan

Immigration, emigration, and return rates among firearm deer hunters using 8 forest research areas were studied for 7 years to determine how deer densities and clear-cutting influenced the behavior and population dynamics of hunters. The areas were patrolled daily during the 1972-78 firearm deer hunting seasons. Field data were supplemented with information from mail questionnaires sent to sample hunters. About 28% of the hunters were immigrants, 64% were repeaters from the previous year, and 8% were transients. Approximately 32% would not return the following year. Characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors of these subpopulations were compared, and regression equations were developed to predict sizes of these groups. We concluded that composition, size, and behavior of deer hunter populations were sensitive to changes in deer densities and alterations in forest cover. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 45(2):314-322 Measurements of hunters' reactions to habitat improvement and to changes in deer population sizes are needed to evaluate deer management programs. However, most of the research on hunters has been descriptive (Hendee and Potter 1976), or has assumed a static perspective (Applegate 1977). Field studies of hunters, such as Kennedy (1974), have tended to include only 1 year's data and have not successfully related hunter behavior to management practices. Despite these limitations, the necessary concepts and procedures are available in the literature to permit evaluation of hunter reactions to management. For example, Thomas et al. (1973) have shown that there are 2 major subgroups of hunters, territorial and nonterritorial, and they may react differently to changes in deer density and habitat improvement. It has also been shown that biological parameters, such as recruitment and mortality, can be successfully applied to analyze the dynamics of hunter populations (Applegate 1977). Our purpose was to apply these concepts to analyze changes in composition nd size of hunter populations as whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities and levels of habitat improvement were varied experimentally. We acknowledge the assistance of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division in clear-cutting, the Wildlife and Fisheries Divisions with data collection, and our colleagues at the Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Station. A. R. Regenstreif and D. C. Cue assisted in data reduction, and D. D. Hodge prepared the figures. We also appreciate the dedication of project leader, C. L. Bennett, Jr.

Flowering phenology of Populustremuloides and P. grandidentata and the potential for hybridization

Flower phenologies of Populustremuloides, P. grandidentata, and P. ×smithii were monitored for 39 clones in southeastern Lower Michigan, U.S.A., and 73 clones in northern Lower Michigan. In southeastern Michigan the two species were generally found to be reproductively isolated where average flowering times were compared. Populustremuloides exhibited greater intra- and interclonal variation than P. grandidentata and flowered for a significantly longer period. However, overlap in flowering times occurred in southeastern Michigan indicating a potential for hybridization and gene flow. Populusgrandidentata female clones pollinated by P. tremuloides males were most likely to produce hybrid seeds. Small, late-developing female catkins of P. tremuloides also showed strong potential for hybrid seed production. Natural F1 hybrids were intermediate in flowering time between the parents. Therefore, phenology is not a complete barrier to natural backcrossing in southeastern Lower Michigan. Little overlap occurred in northern Michigan, thus strongly limiting the potential for hybridization.

Biomass and net annual primary production regressions for Populusgrandidentata on three sites in northern lower Michigan

Dimension analysis techniques were used in the harvest of 31 largetooth aspen (Populusgrandidentata Michx.) from three mature stands (55 ± 7 years) representing a wide range of soil quality and clonal variation among aspen in northern lower Michigan, U.S.A. Regression equations were derived to predict component biomass and net annual production from tree dbh. Evaluation by analysis of covariance indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in regression models among the sites.Total aboveground biomass of P. grandidentata was 171 565, 128 765, and 38 530 kg/ha at the good, intermediate, and poor soil sites where largetooth aspen constituted 81.5, 79.0, and 48.3% of the stand basal area, respectively. Corresponding aboveground net annual production values were 11 038, 7259, and 2925 kg/ha. Component percentages of total biomass were generally similar among sites, except for leaves. Variations in production percentages showed a production per unit leaf weight gradient parallel to the site quality gradient (i.e., poor site production per unit leaf weight was 33% less than the good site value). The errors inherent in the substitution of regressions derived from data from other sites were examined. Total biomass estimates ranged from −27 to +40% of accepted values. Errors for individual components ranged from −33 to +51%. Total aboveground biomass estimates from regressions for the combined data from all sites were acceptable within a standard error of the mean on the good and intermediate sites and with an allowance of 19% error on the poor site.

Ground water quality in northern Michigan ecosystems as affected by land use patterns and geologic characteristics

Over 200 ground water wells in northern lower Michigan were sampled from nine land use classes and several geologic strata during 1974 and 1975 for concentrations of NO 3N, NH 4N, PO 4P, Cl, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, and Na. Mean well depth was 38 ± 24 m, with 92% of the wells having depths of from 15 to 90 m. In general, the quality of ground water for the ions tested was within U.S. Public Health standards. Multiple comparison tests among land use classes for NO 3N were significant ( P < 0.05) and in every case agricultural related land use classes had concentrations above the regional mean of 0.72 ± 0.04 g m −3 (mg l −1) NO 3N. The importance of both anthropogenic and natural Na inputs into ground water was noted for the region. The patterns of ion concentration for PO 4P, K, Mg, and Ca showed only a few differences among land classes; while Cl and Fe concentrations had no discernible pattern. No significant differences in NH 4N ground water concentration between immature agricultural ecosystems and mature forest systems were found.

Utilization of environmental knowledge for watershed management in Northern Michigan

The Northern Michigan Environmental Research Program was conducted by the University of Michigan's Biological Station and Institute for Social Research to obtain information about the aquatic and human resources of water-rich, resort-oriented northern lower Michigan. Results of the study were directed toward long-term environmental management. Multiple methods were used to communicate study results, including self-contained information briefs, regular contacts and seminars with community leaders and public officials, and mass media. Selected illustrations of project data applied to environmental management problems are cited, e.g., curtailment of nutrient loadings, wetlands protection, improved effectiveness of riparian organizations, and highway planning. A series of shortLakeland Reports, designed to present factual information, general environmental principles, and action implications to a lay audience, proved to be effective. However, it became apparent that environmental decisions were not strongly affected by reports alone. Instead, several mutually reinforcing channels of communication must be employed to develop a climate of receptiveness and understanding to insure environmentally sound decisions.

Vegetation and nutrient status of northern Michigan fens

The vegetation, selected characteristics of shallow groundwater, and depth to water were examined in five fens in northern Lower Michigan. The field layer was the dominant stratum in all five fens and contained a total of 85 vascular species with a mean density of 30 vascular species per stand. Carex lasiocarpa was the most prevalent dominant plant and attained a frequency–presence index (FPI) of 8000 of a possible 10 000 and a mean importance value of 33 of a possible 200. Other common dominants in decreasing order of FPI were Carex aquatilis (6640), Myrica gale (4636), and Andromeda glaucophylla (2000). Common subordinates were Hypericum virginicum (2639), Muhlenbergia glomerata (2466), and Campanula aparinoides (1400). The vegetation was relatively homogeneous as indicated by a homogeneity index of 58%.The shallow groundwaters were minerotrophic with pH values ranging from 5.7 to 7.0 and calcium concentrations of 11.0 to 75.0 mg/ℓ. Four of the fens were on floating mats and had relatively stable water levels while the fifth was on a grounded mat and was subject to substantial water level fluctuation.Three previously described alkaline lake-edge kettle-hole 'bog' communities were found to be similar to the fens in species composition and water chemistry.