Demographic Study of the Common Woody Species in the Upper Mississippi River System

Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC, LaCrosse) | Format: URL

www.umesc.usgs.gov — After two centuries of rapid development, the floodplain in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) retains 155,000 ha of forest. Most of the existing stands are less than 70 years old. Heavy seeded species, such as oaks and hickories, and pioneer species, such as willow and cottonwood, are not regenerating adequately to sustain their More... After two centuries of rapid development, the floodplain in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) retains 155,000 ha of forest. Most of the existing stands are less than 70 years old. Heavy seeded species, such as oaks and hickories, and pioneer species, such as willow and cottonwood, are not regenerating adequately to sustain their populations, presumably a consequence of human-induced hydrologic alteration in the UMRS. This issue overview identifies the principal environmental factors critical to the reproductive success of common woody species. Less...