Landscape Ecosystem Classification of Jocassee Gorges

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Landscape Ecosystem Classification of Jocassee
Gorges

• Jeremy Stovall
• July 8, 2004

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Jocassee Gorges

• 13,000 ha Pickens and Oconee counties
• Acquired by SCDNR in 1998
• Previously owned by Duke Power
• Logged to varying degrees over the last century

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What is Landscape Ecosystem Classification?
Vegetation
Geomorphology
Soils
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Why do LEC?

• Allows managers to communicate more precisely
• Permits managers to plan more effectively
• Creates a framework for other studies
• (birds, flora, herps, mammals, etc.)

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Previous Project

• Scott Abella studied old growth stands
• (75 years)
• Discovered five stand classes
• Xeric Oak - Blueberry
• Xeric Chestnut Oak Mountain Laurel
• Sub-mesic Oak Mixed Flora
• Mesic Hardwoods Bloodroot
• Mesic Hemlock Rhododendron

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Current Project

• Builds upon Abellas work
• Stands are taken from five 15 year age ranges
  between 0 and 75 years (0-15, 15-30, etc.)
• Can determine stand growth trends
• Reveals the effects of logging
• More applicable data in a frequently logged area

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Data Collecting

• Plots are 100 m2
• Every tree is measured
• Every plant is identified
• Coverage values are assigned by species

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Data Collecting

• Two random soil samples are taken
• Depth of organic, A, and B horizons are measured
• Soil will be analyzed by lab for clay content,
  nutrients, and carbon

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Data Collecting

• Geomorphology taken from center of plot
• Bearing, aspect, slope position
• LFI, TSI, Concavity
• Height of herb, shrub, mid-canopy, and canopy
  layers are gauged

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Data Collecting

• Latitude, longitude, and altitude taken using GPS
• Stand age estimated by coring several trees
• Site photographed

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Source

• Abella, S. R., Shelburne V. B., MacDonald, N. W.
  (2003). Multifactor classification of forest
  landscape ecosystems of Jocassee Gorges,
  southern Appalachian Mountains, South Carolina.
  Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 33,
  1933- 1946.