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1.03 1.03 The Ecology of Planting DesignThe Ecology of Planting Design

The North American Deciduous The North American Deciduous

ForestsForests

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The subdivisions of the North American The subdivisions of the North American Deciduous Forest are: Deciduous Forest are:

1. The northern and upland regions 1. The northern and upland regions 2. The southern and lowland regions 2. The southern and lowland regions

3. The stream-skirting forest3. The stream-skirting forest

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The Northern and Upland RegionsThe Northern and Upland Regionsconsists of:consists of:

1. Tulip-oak1. Tulip-oak2. Oa2. Oak-chestnutk-chestnut

3. 3. Maple-basswood-birchMaple-basswood-birch4. 4. Maple-beech-hemlockMaple-beech-hemlock

5. 5. Maple-basswoodMaple-basswood

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The southern and lowland forests are subdivided into:The southern and lowland forests are subdivided into:

1. Oak-hickory1. Oak-hickory

2. Magnolia-maritime2. Magnolia-maritime

This begins in the corner of Virginia, extends southward to meet the magnolia forest This begins in the corner of Virginia, extends southward to meet the magnolia forest in South Carolina, and goes along the coast to the southeast corner of Texas.in South Carolina, and goes along the coast to the southeast corner of Texas.

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The Floodplain ForestThe Floodplain Forest

These communities are mixed with deciduous forests and These communities are mixed with deciduous forests and grassland areas of North America. Due to constantly changing grassland areas of North America. Due to constantly changing

environmental conditions brought on by shifting channels, islands, and environmental conditions brought on by shifting channels, islands, and sandbars, the vegetation often stops short of reaching the climax stage.sandbars, the vegetation often stops short of reaching the climax stage.

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The Boreal Coniferous ForestThe Boreal Coniferous Forest

The forest originally extended from some parts of Indiana and Ohio, to The forest originally extended from some parts of Indiana and Ohio, to the Mackenzie River in Canada, to the Brooks Mountain Range in Alaska. The the Mackenzie River in Canada, to the Brooks Mountain Range in Alaska. The climate ranges from cool to cold, and there is precipitation all year, with much climate ranges from cool to cold, and there is precipitation all year, with much

coming in the summer. The climax evergreens may be the pines with long coming in the summer. The climax evergreens may be the pines with long needles, or the spruce, hemlock, and fir with short, thick leaves. needles, or the spruce, hemlock, and fir with short, thick leaves.

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The Montane Coniferous Forest and Alpine The Montane Coniferous Forest and Alpine CommunitiesCommunities

This region is found from the upper eastern slope of the British This region is found from the upper eastern slope of the British Columbia coastal mountains, the Cascade Mountains, and the coast range of Columbia coastal mountains, the Cascade Mountains, and the coast range of

northern California. Its eastern boundary is the Boreal Forest of the north and the northern California. Its eastern boundary is the Boreal Forest of the north and the Great Plains grassland. Alpine meadows occur at higher elevations above the Great Plains grassland. Alpine meadows occur at higher elevations above the forest’s vegetation, while various woodlands occur below at lower elevations. forest’s vegetation, while various woodlands occur below at lower elevations.

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The Northern Pacific Coast-Rainy Western Hemlock The Northern Pacific Coast-Rainy Western Hemlock ForestForest

This forest area is found adjacent to the Pacific Coast from the middle This forest area is found adjacent to the Pacific Coast from the middle of California to southern Alaska. The mature, dominant vegetation is very tall – of California to southern Alaska. The mature, dominant vegetation is very tall – 125 feet (38 m) to 300 feet (90 m) – and up to 20 feet (6 m) wide. Understory 125 feet (38 m) to 300 feet (90 m) – and up to 20 feet (6 m) wide. Understory

trees or shrubs may find it impossible to survive unless openings are provided in trees or shrubs may find it impossible to survive unless openings are provided in the canopy.the canopy.

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The Broad Sclerophyll-Grizzly Bear The Broad Sclerophyll-Grizzly Bear CommunityCommunity

   This vegetation ranges from central Oregon through California and may This vegetation ranges from central Oregon through California and may

be either forest, woodland, or chaparral. Fewer than 20 percent of the dominant be either forest, woodland, or chaparral. Fewer than 20 percent of the dominant species are deciduous.species are deciduous.

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  The Desert and Semidesert CommunitiesThe Desert and Semidesert Communities

The communities occupy the Great Basin portion of western Utah and The communities occupy the Great Basin portion of western Utah and

the largest part of Nevada, and extend into Death Valley of California. The the largest part of Nevada, and extend into Death Valley of California. The vegetation is shrubby and is dominated by sagebrush, with some contact with vegetation is shrubby and is dominated by sagebrush, with some contact with

ponderosa pine forests.ponderosa pine forests.

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The Woodland and Brushland CommunitiesThe Woodland and Brushland Communities

This vegetation occurs in the foothills from Montana and Oregon to Mexico. seasons is quite variable.

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The Prairie CommunitiesThe Prairie Communities

The grass range once extended through what is now the Midwest The grass range once extended through what is now the Midwest agricultural region of the United States, from Manitoba to Oklahoma and eastward agricultural region of the United States, from Manitoba to Oklahoma and eastward

into Ohio and southern Michigan.into Ohio and southern Michigan.

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Southern FloridaSouthern Florida

The vegetation of this area is varied and displays three probably climax The vegetation of this area is varied and displays three probably climax

stages; subtropical hammocks and a mixture of northern plant varieties; tropical stages; subtropical hammocks and a mixture of northern plant varieties; tropical hammocks; and dry and scrubby vegetation on the Keys.hammocks; and dry and scrubby vegetation on the Keys.