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

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Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation

Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((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.

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, 1577 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC, 28806, USA

    Cathryn H. Greenberg & W. Henry McNab

  2. Biology Department, Western Carolina University, NS 132, Cullowhee, NC, 28734, USA

    Beverly S. Collins

  3. Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of North Carolina, Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville, NC, 28804, USA

    Douglas K. Miller

  4. Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, 1703, Highlands, NC, 28741, USA

    Gary R. Wein

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  1. Cathryn H. Greenberg
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  2. Beverly S. Collins
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Correspondence to Cathryn H. Greenberg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

    Cathryn H. Greenberg

  2. Biology Department, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA

    Beverly S. Collins

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Greenberg, C.H., Collins, B.S., McNab, W.H., Miller, D.K., Wein, G.R. (2016). Introduction to Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation: Type, Frequency, Severity, and Post-disturbance Structure in Central Hardwood Forests. In: Greenberg, C., Collins, B. (eds) Natural Disturbances and Historic Range of Variation. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 32. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21527-3_1

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