Abstract
Hydrologic alterations due to dam construction may have altered the floodplain ecology of the Lower Kaskaskia River. Seven forest communities within the study site were identified. Floodplain communities include
Acer negundo-Celtis occidentalis-Acer saccharinum, Acer saccharinum-Acer negundo, and
Celtis occidentalis-Ulmus americana.
Quercus and
Carya species were found in both floodplain and upland areas.
Quercus stellata flats and
Acer saccharum occupied upland portions of the study site. This community similarity analysis provides a basis for further research on the effects of flood duration, timing, and depth on the current and historical riparian forest community.
Parent Publication
Citation
Romano, Susan P.; Zaczek, James J.; Williard, Karl W. J.; Baer, Sara; Carver, Andrew D.; Mangun, Jean C. 2003. Riparian forest communities of the lower Kaskaskia River bottoms. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 159-166