SHS - HabitatNet
Biodiversity Assessment
   


Every plant community had unique characteristics which determine the "inhabitants" within that area. Three (3) ecological parameters which directly influence a plant community are:

  1. Successional History - the stage(s) of ecological development which preceded and currently influence the present SERE (fire, logging, cultivation, etc.…).
  2. Substrate - the composition of the soil where this plant community is situated (soil type, depth, composition). Xeric (dry), Mesic (moderate), Hydric (wet)
  3. Topography (aspect) - the slope of the land will determine the degree of exposure to sunlight and direction storm fronts may strike as well as the consequent moisture associated with that area.

All of the above are critical in identifying the particular plant community to be assessed. By determining the above, one may then assess current flora/fauna assemblages and make accurate determinations as to which species may be included in wildlife enhancement.

Plant communities do change over time. This is known as terrestrial succession. Disturbance is a function of change from one sere to the next until a stable and usually less diverse plant community (Edaphic or Climatic Climax) is established. In New England this usually takes between 100-150 years.

 

Vocabulary Definitions

Biome - dominate vegetation in a broad geographic area (tundra, temperate forest, desert, tropical rain forest, etc.)

Association - similar forest types (beech, maple, white pine)

Community - biological components (populations) found in an area

Ecosystem - the biological and physical components found in an area

Stand - the tree types (species) that tend to be dominant in an area

Dominance - the ranking of DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) of each tree species

Species Diversity - species richness, distribution, eveness

Biodiversity - species diversity/area; ecological diversity; genetic diversity

Community Complexity - species richness, species eveness, interspecific interactions.

Community Stability - environmental constancy; resilience (return to equilibrium); biological variables (foodweb, niche availability, etc.)


   
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Souhegan High School Last Updated on 10/10/01
© 1998 Souhegan High School