Dataset Overview

The New England hurricane of 1938 destroyed many acres of mature and semi-mature forests, thereby initiating new forest associations over a large area. Permanent plots were established across the Harvard Forest in severely damaged stands (many of which were logged subsequent to the hurricane) to assess information about forest succession. Most of the plots involved successions following the blowdown of white pine on glacial till or outwash soils. From 1940 to 1948, and in 1978 and 1991, tree density and the presence or absence of herb and shrub species were tallied. Pioneer species regenerating from seed and advance regeneration of longer-lived species quickly established at the sites.

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Purpose

This research study was created to better understand succession of a New England forest after a hurricane.

Data Collection Status

Data collection for this dataset is ongoing

Start date

1937-01-01

Anticipated end date

1991-12-31

Data Availability

This dataset is available to download from another website

Data License

Linked - Third party determines data license

Preferred Citation

Foster D, Spurr S. 2009. Hurricane Recovery Plots at Harvard Forest since 1937. Harvard Forest Data Archive: HF040. Available at: http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu:8080/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf040

Update Frequency

Unknown

Maintenance Plan

Not provided

Links

  • Hurricane Recovery Plots Harvard Forest 1937
  • Harvard Forest
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