Pinus rigida morphology in four different stressed and disturbed communities
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2012

Includes bibliographical references.

Dwarf forms of Pinus rigida inhabit a variety of environments where stress factors (nutrient deprivation, drought, wind, and salt spray) and fire disturbances are strong selection factors within the local biological community. Pinus rigida morphology in stressed and disturbed communities ranges from medium sized trees to dwarf and prostrate trees forms. I selected three communities where Pinus rigida exhibited stress adapted morphology including the Pine Barren Plains, Mountain Pine Plains, and Coastal Maritime Communities, and a fourth community where Pinus rigida is arborous, the Upland Pine Barren Forest. Using field observations, line intercept surveys, and literature review I described and compared vegetation in the four communities. The goal of the study was to identify the common vegetation characteristics that classification systems use to classify these pine communities. Additionally, this study sought to determine if differences that exist between communities as a result of varying abiotic conditions might be used as diagnostic tools to determine the history or current processes occurring within a site.