Date of Award

Fall 9-1-1979

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Department Not Listed

First Advisor

Marion T. Jackson

Second Advisor

John O. Whitaker Jr.

Third Advisor

Paul Mausel

Abstract

Dobbs Park is a 105-acre tract, located at the east edge of Terre Haute, Indiana. Community types range from grass-forb to a 14-acre mature deciduous forest. The tract was divided into 36 units from which 14 community types were developed. The large number of community types appears to be a product of discontinued tillage or grazing within various sections of the tract at different times. The mature forest is largely upland depressional, much of which is subject to periodic pending. Dominants among the 34 tree species present are elms (Ulmus americana, rubra and thomasii) and ashes (Fraxinus americana and pennsylvanica) at a combined importance of 33 percent. A mesic ridge supports beech and sugar maple plus upland oaks and hickories. Total density above 10 em (3.9 in) dbh is 340 stems per hectare (138 per acre), total basal area is 27.5 square meters per hectare (120 square feet per acre); mean stem diameter is 26.7 em (10.5 in). Species distribution patterns within the old-growth were analyzed with the aid of a computer generated 33:1 scale map of the tract. Distribution patterns of the 12 most important tree species exhibit at least some degree of clumping. Most species were found to adhere closely to_soil moisture patterns and areas of ponding. When size-class/density is plotted on semi-log paper a near straight line relationship is reached. A slight plateau in the 20 to 40 em (8-16 in) size-class indicates only mild disturbance, attributed mostly to the death of diseased American elms. The present vascular plant list totals 320 species. The vertebrate fauna includes 25 mammal, 127 bird, 14 reptile, 11 amphibian, and 12 bony fish species.

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