|
Old-growth forests provide habitat
for a specialized suite of organisms, and they exhibit a
collection of natural patterns and processes that forest
ecologists can study. Compared to historical records, there
are few remaining old growth hardwood forests in northern
Minnesota. Using a mechanistic approach, I am contrasting
vegetation structure, composition, and diversity of old
growth to second-growth forests on the North Shore of Lake
Superior near Finland, Minnesota. My research will increase
our understanding of forest composition, structure and function,
it will serve to evaluate the impact of logging at the time
of European settlement on vegetation, and provide a reference
for conservation strategies in northern hardwood forests.
To learn about Julia's research on
comparing second growth and old growth northern hardwoods,
click here. |
University of Minnesota
Department of Forest Resources
115 Green Hall
1530 Cleveland Avenue N.
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 625-2706
E-mail: burto036@umn.edu
|
