Lecture 7: Terrestrial Communities

Question 1

define succession

Answer 1

over time, a species occupying a space will change until it reaches a “climax opportunity’ - sustained longterm until next major disturbance
-involves process of colonization, establishment and extinction which act on the plant species

Question 2

how can you recognize stages of succession?

Answer 2

-recognized by the collection of species that dominate at that point in succession

Question 3

t or f ; most communities reach a constant climax/ stable equilibrium

Answer 3

false; constantly changes as a result of disturbances disturbance = norm

Question 4

what is the difference between a meadow and prairie

Answer 4

meadow: not at climax stage in succession; transitional grasslands
prairie: climax communities

Question 5

define characteristics of meadow (3)

Answer 5

• highly unstable, constant state of flux, sun exposure key
• dom by herbaceous plants
• <50% woody groundcover or <25% trees ; and more community would be considered ‘early pioneer woodland’

Question 6

what does meadow characteristics assume?

What is plant composition dependent on?

Answer 6

• assumes availability of moderate soils, moisture and sun

- dependent on where it is, soil composition and moisture

Question 7

what are the 4 stages of meadows

Answer 7

1. early old field meadow
2. Perennial Herbaceous Meadow
3. Scrubland
4. Shrubland

Question 8

define 3 characteristics all colonizers have

Answer 8

1. can withstand harsh conditions
2. have rapid root growth
3. are capable of breaking up compacted soil

Question 9

t or f; stages of meadows/ ecosystems are discrete

Answer 9

false; not discrete, depends on location, local actual conditions

Question 10

describe stage 1 of meadows

Answer 10

1: early old field meadow

- lasts 2-5 years after initial disturbance, characterized by colonizer species

Question 11

describe stage 2 of meadows

Answer 11

2: Perennial herbaceous meadow
- 4-5 years after disturbance, can last 10- 25 yrs wile mat and organic layers build
- by year 3 this stage starts to transfer to perennials

Question 12

describe plants in meadow stage 2

Answer 12

–all plants are more durable, have deeper roots, are longer lived and can withtsand drought

Question 13

describe stage 3 of meadow

Answer 13

3: scrub land
- entrance of pioneer shrubs and trees, can last 10-25 years
- intermediate stage 15-30: woody shrubs and wines, <25% tree canopy –> decline in herb per

Question 14

describe stage 4 meadows

Answer 14

• final stage before considered pioneer woodland
• 30-50% woody, <25% tree cover
• sun lovers replaced with stage lovers
• depend on periodic fires to prevent succession to forest

Question 15

name 3 ways to manage meadows

Answer 15

1. arressting succession; maintian early stages via burning, mowing a
2. encourage native species; don’t introduce invasive species
3. non native hort plants should be restricted to civic landscapes far removed from natural areas

Question 16

name 3 plants to manage out of meadow?

Answer 16

garlic mustard, quack grass and crown vetch

Question 17

name 5 invasive woody species to avoid/ eliminate?

Answer 17

buckthorn, black locust, russian olive, tartian honeysuckle, european mtn ash

Question 18

why should you be aware of “meadow in a can?

Answer 18

Seed mix doesn’t contain natives, dont include enough clump grasses

Question 19

what is the main characteristic of praries

What is the characteristic of prairie plants?

Answer 19

• largely result of a climate that favoured grasslands, not forests
• plants deep root system so can survive drought, prevents non native prairie species from developing –> add organic material as break down
• long living perennials, able to survive poor growing conditions and periodic grazing

Question 20

describe 3 dif types of prairies in NA

Answer 20

1. west receives less precipitation and has shortgrass prairie
2. east is wetter ( Southern ON) tall grass prairie
3. region inbetween is mixed prairie , intermed height

Question 21

list 5 characteristic of Tallgrass prairie communities

Answer 21

• associated with carolinian community; >800 species
• <10% tree cover
• requires burning to remain as climax community
• takes 3-4 years to develop thatch layer
• requires more moisture than regular prairies

Question 22

describe savanna characteristics

Answer 22

-similar to prairie but with more tree cover ( inbetween open prairie and closed forest)
-fire dependent
-less grass cover, more ferns and wildflowers
10-35% tree cover

Question 23

what is oak savanna?

Answer 23

• transition zone between prairie grassland and oak forests
• over 99.93% altered/ devastated
• fire dependent - kills exotic species

Question 24

what are alvars

Answer 24

• naturally open habitats with either thin covering or no soil over limestone base
• few trees, prairie species can usually survive
• occur in Baltic countries and Great lakes Basin

Question 25

what % of southern ON original "old-growth forest"

Answer 25

0.07%

Question 26

what is the main reason deforestation occurs

Answer 26

economic --> agricultural

Question 27

t or f teh deciduous forest region has most diverse forest life in ON

Answer 27

true

Question 28

where is the deciduous forest located?

Answer 28

- most southernly and is situated North of lake erie

Question 29

what is the Great Lakes St Lawrence forest region

Answer 29

central ON to lake huron and west of lake superior along border with Minnesota

Question 30

what is ON official tree

Answer 30

white pine

Question 31

define boreal forest region location

Answer 31

- below hudson bay lowlands

Question 32

t or f the boreal forest region is the largest forest region in ON and Canada

Answer 32

true

Question 33

what are predom species in boreal forest

Answer 33

white spruce, jack pine, balsam fir, tamarack and eastern white cedar, polar and white birch

Question 34

what distinguishes the hudson bay lowlands

Answer 34

-distinguished by bogs and fens, slow growing forest and tundra - most north eastern ON forest region

Question 35

what 2 criteria most be met in order for a designed planting to become a community?

Answer 35

1. all plants chosen should be able to grow and thrive within teh same env't stresses and disturbances 2. plants must be compatible in terms of their competitive strategies

Question 36

what are the 5 principle of designed plant communities?

Answer 36

1. related pop'ns, not related indv 2. stress as an asset 3. cover the ground densely by vertically layering plants 4. make it attractive and legible 5. management not maintenance

Question 37

the principle that plants shouldn't be treated as objects placed like furniture but instead as compatible species that interact with each other and the site is?

Answer 37

1. related pop'ns not isolated indv

Question 38

which principle states to embrace a more limited palette of plants that can tolerate a variety of conditions and to accept teh env'tal constraints of the site? what is the result?

Answer 38

2. stress as an asset | - only fittest plants survive, new plants more adaptive ecological niche

Question 39

which principle uses the idea of green mulch ? what should be avoided?

Answer 39

3. cover the ground densely by vertically layering plants | - avid invasive ground covers - instead layer vertically

Question 40

who came up with the 'cues to care' principles? what does this principle consist of ?

Answer 40

LA Joan Nassauer | -surround wild plantings with neat frames ie mown lawn, clipped hedge, and hardscape elements

Question 41

what 4 things are done in the management over maintenance principle? what is avoided?

Answer 41

- mowing, burning, selective removal or selective additions | - watering, mulching, spraying, pruning and leaf litter removal

Question 42

what % should filler plants be? what is a filler plant?

Answer 42

5-10%; short lived perennials, biennials and annuals | -useful for showiness and ability to cover soil quickly until longer perennials est.

Question 43

what % makes of the groundcover layer? what is considered a ground cover?

Answer 43

50% ; more utilitarian than showy, job is to suppress weeds, control erosion and provide nectar

Question 44

what are the 4 components that make up a designed plant community and their %?

Answer 44

1. filler plants 5-10% 2. groundcover layer 50% 3. seasonal theme25-40% 4. structural framework 10-15%

Question 45

what % makes the seasonal theme layer? what is this layer?

Answer 45

25-40%; mid height plants, showy that grow in masses and drifts

Question 46

what % makes up the structural framework layer? what is this layer consist of?

Answer 46

10-15%; formed by tall grasses and forbs - winter interest, trees shrubs and upright perennials