Assessment of forest decline in the southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest, USA : Air Pollution and Forest Decline. 14th International Meeting for Specialists in Air Pollution Effects on Forest Ecosystems

1989

S. 239-244

11 Abb., 3 Tab., En, Zfsg. En

Unselbständiges Werk

200034683

In 1985, an intensive, ground-based, survey of the condition of the southern Appalachian montane spuce-fir forests was initiated when reports surfaced that some unusual rates of mortality were occurring on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina. A stratified, random sample of 142 permanent plots were installed in the Mount Rogers National Recreaton Area in Virginia, the Black Mountains of North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and plots were stratified by elevation, aspect, and topographid position to evaluate the potential impacts of the deposition of atmospheric pollutants along with the natural variation in stratification variables. Half of the plots are in second-growth stands and half are in stands with no known logging history. Standigng basal area and stem density were determined in 1985 and in 1987, and the plots have been assessed annually for mortality and tree crown condition.