Masters Theses
Date of Award
3-1988
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Major
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Major Professor
Hal R. De Selm
Committee Members
E. E. C. Clebsch, J. E. Foss
Abstract
Overstory vegetation of Bird Mountain, a part of Frozen Head State Natural Area, was sampled using ninety-five 0.04 ha circular plots to determine community types, stability and species distribution. Site factors and soil samples were obtained from each plot. Cluster analysis, using canopy species importance values, classified seven community types: chestnut oak, white oak-northern red oak, beech, northern red oak-sugar maple, yellow poplar, sugar maple-white basswood-yellow poplar-yellow buckeye and black cherry-sugar maple. Community types were segregated by aspect, slope position, elevation and geomorphic form. All community types have been disturbed by logging or fire in the past. The chestnut oak, white oak-northern red oak, beech, northern red oak-sugar maple and sugar maple-white basswood-yellow poplar-yellow buckeye types were reproductively stable. Yellow poplar reproduction was low in the yellow poplar type. The black cherry-sugar maple type was successional toward a mixed mesophytic type. Regression analysis was employed to predict canopy species importance value, relative density and relative basal area using site and soil factors. The site factors of aspect, elevation, slope angle, slope shape and insolation were the most important predictors of species importance, relative density and relative basal area. Soil factors contributed a small percent to explained variation and total R2 in the regression equations. Soils on Bird Mountain were mapped at a 1:24000 scale. Soil formation was closely related to geomorphic position, aspect, elevation, vegetation, parent material and lithology. Six mapping units were segregated primarily by aspect, elevation, geomorphic position and form. The ridgetop and cove map units consisted of exclusively residual and colluvial soils, respectively. The south-facing map unit consisted of a complex of residual and colluvial soils intermingled with rock outcrops. The upper north-facing map unit consisted of a complex of two unnamed soils, a colluvial Humic Hapludult and a residual Typic Haplumbrept. The lower north-facing map unit was similar to the south-facing complex, but contained an unnamed, colluvial Humic Hapludult. An unnamed alluvial Typic Hapludult was mapped on narrow, continuous floodplains of 2nd order streams. Ten soil series were mapped on Bird Mountain including five established series and five unnamed soils. Three of the established series were Typic Hapludults (Jefferson, Grimsley, Gilpin); the remaining two included a Lithic Dystrochrept (Ramsey) and a Typic Dystrochrept (Petros). Of the five unnamed soils, two were colluvial Humic Hapludults; the remaining three included a Typic Hapludult, an Ochreptic Hapludult and a Typic Haplumbrept. These unnamed soils were widely distributed on Bird Mountain and may occur elsewhere in the Cumberland Mountains.
Recommended Citation
Crownover, Stanley Horn, "Classification and description of forest community types and soils of Bird Mountain, Frozen Head State Natural Area, Morgan County, Tennessee. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1988.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13169
