Warren F. Lamboy has been selected to receive the first New England Botanical Club award in support of botanical research in New England for his proposal “A systematic study of Aster section Biotia. “
Warren F. Lamboy has been selected to receive the first New England Botanical Club award in support of botanical research in New England for his proposal “A systematic study of Aster section Biotia. “
(2nd edition), an inventory of Georgia Plants in the University of Georgia Herbarium (GA), has recently been prepared by Nancy C. Coile and Samuel B. Jones, Jr. of the University of Georgia Herbarium. The list includes the pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and flowering plants known by herbarium records at GA to occur either natively or naturalized within Georgia. Included are 3049 species.
The first report of Calamagrostis porteri, a mid-Appalachian species, in North Carolina (Transylvania Co.) was by Ware (1973). Documentation of its presence in Virginia (Harvill et al 1977) place its distribution in the upper Piedmont and into the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains.
Hohenbuehelia aciculospora (Agaricales), Gloeomucro ventricosum and G. luteodiscus (Aphyllophorales) are described as new. The first is compared with Physalacria.
Distinct differences in the phytoplankton composition at upstream and downstream stations were documented for the Duplin River, Georgia. A phytoflagellate and cyanobacterial flora predominated the upstream station. Downstream diatoms and cyanobacteria were dominant. At the downstream station a winter-spring bloom was dominated by Asterionella glacialis Castracane and Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) CL., with the latter species also abundant in the autumn. The seasonal occurrence and general abundance of the 177 taxa recorded are presented. The general composition of the algal flora is similar to that previously reported for the southeastern continental shelf.
A 16.1 hectare watershed at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in southwestern North Carolina was clearcut in 1939-1940 and again in 1962. No timber was removed during the clearcuts. Present vegetation composition (woody and herbaceous species), and tree species distributions in relation to site characteristics were of primary interest. Liriodendron tulipifera had the highest basal area and Importance Value (IV) of all tree species; Quercus prinus had the highest density, Acer rubrum the highest frequency. Stand basal area in 1984, 21 years after the second clearcut was 20.82 m2 ha-1 which is over 80% of that before the first clearcut. Kalmia latifolia and Rhododendron maximum have responded vigorously to past clearcuts; and, the herbaceous layer is far from depauperate. Of the site variables measured, those related to site quality were the best predictors of the dominant species and the community types. Liriodendron tulipifera and the Cove Hardwoods community type are highly and positively correlated with higher soil moisture, pH, and fertility, whereas Quercus prinus and the Mixed Oak/Oak-Pine types are negatively correlated with these variables. Mesic species, especially Liriodendron tulipifera and Betula lenta have increased tremendously in importance since the inventory made in 1934 which was prior to either clearcut and the full effect of chestnut blight in this region. These species now occupy portions of the watershed which previously supported less mesic species (e.g., Quercus spp.) and the watershed appears to be supporting vegetation of a more mesic nature.
Vegetation and soils are compared on two forested, lower north-facing slopes over marble and schist parent materials in northern Georgia. Moisture and parent material are probably the most important factors determining differences in soils and vegetation. Soils over marble have a mean pH of 6.1, ranging from 5.3 to 6.6. These soils have a relatively high moisture, particle density, pore space, clay, stones and litter, total N and extractable, K, Ca, Mn, B, Cu and Zn; in contrast, soils over schist have a lower mean pH of 5.3, ranging from 4.6 to 6.0, relatively less of the above factors and higher sand, silt and extractable P, Fe, Na, Al, Si and Mo.
The number of species per 100 m2 is greater over marble (36 vs 20). Herb species (31 vs 15) make up the largest part of the difference. Herbs crowd the forest floor over marble (111% cover) while a sclerophyllous shrub (Rhododendron maximum) dominates most positions over schist (14% herb cover). Ground basal area of shrubs is much larger over schist due to Rhododendron (1.1 vs. 2.9 m2ha-1). Tree basal areas are not significantly different.
Samples are also treated as points on a continuum of soil variability. Trends in vegetation and species distributions are correlated with soil variability. Whereas herb cover increases with greater soil pH (range up 6.6), the number of herb species increases with pH up to a peak near pH 6 above which numbers drop. This may be due to micronutrient deficiencies and/or intense competition from dominant herbs. Groups of species are distributed in similar ways with respect to soil variability, but groups are somewhat artificial and evidence for niche separation and habitat heterogeneity indicate that each species is unique.
The trend from an herbaceous to woody and sclerophyllous understory with lower pH is discussed. In this study apparency (sensu Feeny 1976) in forest understory plants responds to soil nutrient status. Herbs succeed on less acid macronutrient-rich soils with fewer large or permanent C-based structures and so have a less apparent life form. Sclerophyllous shrubs such as Rhododendron maximum succeed on most acid soils by efficient nutrient uptake and conservation. They use C-based adaptations that are larger and more permanent, and therefore more apparent.
Fort Frederica, Saint Simons Island, Georgia was settled by English colonists in 1736. The fort and surrounding lands have undergone nine major phases of disturbance and regrowth since pre-colonial times. Written descriptions by colonial observers document the original predominance of evergreen oak-mixed hardwood forests on the upland portion of Saint Simons, instead of the contemporary successional pine forest. They also document the presence of extensive marshes and ponds, and many of which, including a pond outside the walls of the fort, are smaller or are no longer present. Records indicate the Indians, settlers, and slaves used fire for clearing dense vegetation. As a result of human activities, the fire regime on the island has probably changed from aboriginal times to the present, including a possible increase in large forest fires during the 19th century. The present vegetation consists of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) with an understory of laurel oak (Quercus lauiifolia) and water oak (Q. nigra) and other hardwoods on old field sites. Older stands are dominated by hardwoods, particularly live oak (Q. virginiana).
In response to your letter requesting that I send you a personal note regarding Betty Bartholomew: Should I write about the fact that she was a tower of learning to so many hundreds of befuddled botanists? No, everyone in the SABC knows of her brilliance and professionalism. So I won’t mention it.
It is indeed ironic that in the span of less than four months, we would lose the two founders of our organization, Earl L. Core and Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew. I am certain that many of us have reflected on this fact.