Introduction to Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation: Type, Frequency, Severity, and Post-disturbance Structure in Central Hardwood Forests

  • Cathryn H. Greenberg
  • Beverly S. Collins
  • W. Henry McNab
  • Douglas K. Miller
  • Gary R. Wein
Chapter
Part of the Managing Forest Ecosystems book series (MAFE, volume 32)

Abstract

Throughout the history of upland hardwood forests of the Central Hardwood Region, natural disturbances have been integral to shaping forest structure and composition, and essential in maintaining diverse biotic communities. In this chapter, we introduce the geographic scope and dynamic history of climate, natural disturbances, and human influence on central hardwood forests. We briefly introduce biotic and abiotic agents of disturbance to provide a foundation for the book and further discussion of whether and how historic disturbance regimes should guide forest management within national forests and other public lands.

Keywords

Central Hardwood Region Upland hardwood forests Disturbance agents Forest management Historic disturbance regime 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the contributions of Katherine Reidy (UNCA student) for developing a conceptual draft map of hurricane tracks in the CHR and Ida Evretjarn (Forest Service volunteer) for production of Fig. 1.1 and development of draft versions of other figures. Scott Goodrick contributed to accessing data for Table 1.6. Tara Keyser contributed to accessing data for Table 1.5 and Fig. 1.8, and provided useful insights through discussion.

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Cathryn H. Greenberg
    • 1
  • Beverly S. Collins
    • 2
  • W. Henry McNab
    • 1
  • Douglas K. Miller
    • 3
  • Gary R. Wein
    • 4
  1. 1.USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental ForestAshevilleUSA
  2. 2.Biology DepartmentWestern Carolina UniversityCullowheeUSA
  3. 3.Atmospheric Sciences DepartmentUniversity of North Carolina, AshevilleAshevilleUSA
  4. 4.Highlands-Cashiers Land TrustHighlandsUSA

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