Primary Succession on the Basin of a Catastrophically Drained Lake in the Boreal Forest by Andrew Pierson

Primary Succession on the Basin of a Catastrophically Drained Lake in the Boreal Forest by Andrew Pierson

Biology

This study examined primary succession on the basin of a catastrophically drained lake in northern Minnesota. The site, Bass Lake, suffered this drainage as a result of logging operations in 1925, which reduced the total area of the lake from approximately 2 km2 present day size of 1.05 km2 (260 ac.). I hypothesized that succession occurring on this newly exposed area would follow the relay floristics model of Clements. Specifically, I expected a change from shade-intolerant trees, such as Betula papyrifera (paper birch), to shade-tolerant trees, such as Abies balsamea (balsam fir). To test this hypothesis, I used data collected using the Point-Centered Quarter Method for trees found below the old shoreline between the years of 1978 and 2010. The results indicated that there was a transition from paper birch to balsam fir on the north side of the lake. However, paper birch remained as the most significant tree on the south side of the lake throughout the study’s duration with no such transition. As a result, it appears that the north side of Bass Lake follows the relay floristics, but this hypothesis must be rejected for the south side. Factors such as soil texture, water availability, canopy openings, and growing season may have caused this difference.

Pierson, Andrew

Senior Showcase Poster presentation

Ripon College

April 19, 2016

The author reserves all rights.

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Major: Biology
Minor: History

Neenah, WI

Bio 501 & 502 - Senior Seminar