1. Bottomland Ecology & Silviculture

2. Hydrologic Influence Water “singular importance” to bottomland systems: – Ecological limiting factor – Medium for biogeochemical processes – Force that controls erosion & sedimentation events » (Hupp 2000) “Slight hydrological changes may result in only loosely predictable, yet often substantial responses” (Mitsch & Gosselink 1993)

3. Floodplains are regularly inundated for months each year (during the wet period) – Prolonged saturation – Physical damage – Erosion of substrate – Deposition of new sediments Disturbance highly variable on the landscape

4. Species vary in susceptibility and tolerance to hydrologic disturbance Variations in floodplain forest composition are influenced by varying severity of flooding – Mortality – Extreme stress – Altering conditions for establishment Flood Tolerance

5. Geomorphic Influence Fluvial landforms (floodplains) are dynamic features – Constantly eroding – Constantly aggrading Meandering streams and rivers migrate – Creates a heterogeneous landscape

6. Floodplains tend to act as net storage basins for sediment during periods of high or rising sea level Floodplains aggrade in two ways – Lateral accretion (point-bar extension) Episodic process Occurs during high flows This results in ridge & swale topography

9. Vertical accretion – Also episodic – Facilitated by reduction in flow velocity (Hodges 1997)

10. Features of Modern Floodplains River Channel Direction of Meander Movement Point Bar Deposits Back Swamps Channel Fill Deposits Ridge Swale Deposits Overflow Channel Natural Levee

11. Vegetative Patterns Likelihood of a particular spp. occupying a given landform is a function of: – The suitability of the site for germination – The environmental conditions that permit persistence until reproductive age

12. Vegetative Patterns cont… Spatial distribution (pattern) of a spp. is limited by: – Spp. ability to survive or tolerate local conditions (disturbance, stress regimes) – Competitive and facilitative influences Stress Gradient Competition Geomorphic processes Important: Species grow where they can compete successfully and tolerate local conditions, NOT where they grow best.

13. Bottomland Forests Bottomland forests are some of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the United States Myriad of different species with different site requirements and growth habits makes management extremely complex and variable

14. Bottomland Hardwoods The silviculture is similar to upland forests except for: – Flooding that is largely, unpredictable and uncontrollable, and – Site/Species relationships

15. Bottomland Hardwoods Water – Depth – Frequency – Duration – Seasonal Timing

16. Bottomland Hardwoods Site/Species Relationships Site/Species RelationshipsLandform Soil Drainage Soil Texture Deposition

17. Patterns of Deposition

22. Major Bottoms Bars and Fronts --- willow, elm, cottonwood, sycamore Flats --- Nuttall oak, green ash, sugarberry, elm, red maple Slough --- overcup oak, water hickory Swamp --- water tupelo, bald cypress Ridge --- sweetgum, green ash, hickory, water/willow oaks

23. Minor Bottoms Bar --- river birch Levee --- beech, sycamore, sweetgum, sycamore, yellow- poplar, oaks Flat --- sweetgum, oaks, hickories, blackgum Slough --- bald cypress, swamp tupelo Terrace --- white oaks, red oaks, hickory, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, loblolly pine

24. Bottomland Succession Patterns Poorly drained, low elevation Better drained, “high” elevation Minor Bottoms

25. Bottomland Ecology Summary Know your sites Know the hydrology Know the ecological requirements of the species INTEGRATE ---- Match the species to the site conditions

26. Bottomland Systems are Dynamic! Rapid change is part of the system. Sites and soils are in a constant state of change because of deposition and erosion. This in turn is reflected in the vegetational composition

27. Questions, Comments or Opinions….. Courtesy, National Geographic Society

32. Even-aged stand ~60 yrs old in small creek bottom, red oak-gum

35. Silviculture of Bottomland Stands Cottonwood and Willow Type – Rotation Age or Size: Natural stands: < 50 years sawtimber, 30 to 35 years most common Plantations: 20 year sawtimber rotation – Thinning greatly enhances growth – Regeneration: Seed-tree method Site prep may be necessary to control non merchantable shade tolerant species due to intolerant nature of target species

36. Silviculture of Bottomland Stands Cottonwood and Willow Type – Rotation Age or Size: Natural stands: < 50 years sawtimber, 30 to 35 years most common Plantations: 20 year sawtimber rotation – Thinning greatly enhances growth – Regeneration: Seed-tree method Site prep may be necessary to control non merchantable shade tolerant species due to intolerant nature of target species

37. Silviculture of Bottomland Stands Baldcypress and Tupelo Type – Rotation Age or Size: 75 to 100 years – Thinning Pre-thin BA > 250 common in this type Residual BA 110 ft2 or less should be goal – Heavy thinning can increase epicormic branching – Regeneration: Regeneration is difficult and highly variable – Seedling establishment dependant on dry periods Advance regeneration and stump sprout dependent – Clearcut when sufficient advance reproduction present – Otherwise, shelterwood

38. Silviculture of Bottomland Stands Mixed Bottomland Hardwood Type – Growth rate: Yield > 250 board feet per acre per year – Rotation age or size: 60 to 80 years – Thinning

39. Silviculture of Bottomland Stands Mixed Bottomland Hardwood Type – Regeneration: Light seeded species (e.g., sweetgum, yellow-poplar) – Clearcut or seedtree » Some research suggests that seedtree has minimal impact on species composition in this type Oaks – Advance regeneration and stump sprout dependent – Clearcut when sufficient advance reproduction present – Shelterwood system in absence of advance reproduction » Control shade tolerant midstory and understory competition