Numerous terms have been used to refer to the nonforested regions and forest openings in the Midwest and eastern United Sates. Barrens was a term commonly used in early accounts of these areas; however, the term was applied to a variety of habitats (Hutchison et al. 1986). Terms that have been used synonymously with barrens include prairie, savanna, oak opening, glade, scrub prairie, brush prairie, grasslands, brush savanna, grassy woodlands, and numerous derivations of these (Keith 1983, Schroeder 1981, Hutchison et al. 1986, Nuzzo 1986, DeSelm 1989a, Heikens 1991). The lack of consistent use of these terms has created much confusion in plant community ecology.