GEG 3114 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Fagus Grandifolia, Acer Pensylvanicum, Shade Tolerance
30 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
More common in the northern hemisphere: europe, china & north america. Species can migrate south during glaciation in na, but not in europe. Closed canopy forest, entire landscape is covered with trees. Maritime -tropical air mass, relatively mild, cool in the winter. Snow in the northern parts, but not the south. Litter decomposes after a few years, no thick litter layer. Much was cut down for farming etc. , but have since grown back. Not clear what the forest looked like before the european settlement. The effects of native american use is unknown. Several species, important in geographic centre of region. Can comprise 6-10% of forest in southern appalachians and western. Important especially in the transition to neighbouring biomes. Very little light can reach the ground when the canopy is full, but in early spring light is more abundant. The forest floor is the most difficult strata to survive in. Must survive both summer shade and cold winters.
