Abstract
The 1251 ha Rock Cut State Park (RCSP) is the largest state park in northern Illinois . Over the past 56 years, management practices have included prescribed burning, regular mowing, and tree plantings . Specifically, we sought to quantify the species composition, age structure, and light environment in two management units within the park . The first unit (campground) was last burned in 2009 and is comprised of primarily small trees; the second unit (Willow Creek Natural Area – WCNA) is more open and relatively undisturbed with larger trees . To assess these two units we used several methods, including stand structure analysis, tree coring, and hemispherical photographs . Between the months of June-August (2012 and 2013), eight plots were delineated and sampled . Within the campground unit, median tree age was 52 .5 years, with a maximum age of approximately 130 years . This site is mostly dominated by young slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) followed by white oak (Quercus alba) and hickory (Carya spp .) . Elimination of landscape-scale fires has likely led to a conversion from oak savanna to the closed forest found today at RCSP . High densities of shade-tolerant species dominating WCNA suggest management fires have been insuff icient at maintaining white and bur oak regeneration
Recommended Citation
Bergman, Dustin P. and Goldblum, David
(2015)
"Quantifying Forest Structure Within Two Managed Units in Rock Cut State Park,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 56:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol56/iss2/2