Abstract
Forests in the Ozarks are ancient: the dominance and density of their various arboreal and herbaceous species have fluctuated over time in relation to climatic change and cultural influences. This study examines the nature of the pre-European forest composition in the Ozarks through studies of geology and soils, General Land Office surveys, archeology, and dendrochronology. Examples and a case study on the Wedington Unit are drawn from the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, where, in some areas, old-growth oak forests remain adjacent to former agricultural fields that are regenerating naturally. This paper also identifies forest management practices that aid in the maintenance of diverse old-growth ecosystems.
Parent Publication
Citation
Jurney, David H.; Stahle, David W. 2004. Old-growth Wooded Pasture in the Ozarks. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-73. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 42-52