Biotic Data: PlantsThe most important trees were: 1. sugar maple 2. black oak 3. green ash 4. yellow birch
The most important herbs were: 1. Polyporus cinnabarinus 2. Lichens |
These maple trees make up the "climax forest" of this region. In an area a variety of types of trees grow at various times. Usually birch grow in the open light, and are followed by conifer, which are followed by maples and oak. Each type of tree modifies the ecosystem. Maples, along with black oak produce a very dense shade, which provides low light, and moist, rich soil. Most other types of tree seeds can't germinate in this dense shade. This means that only maple and oak will produce young trees, and thus the forest will continue to produce maple and oak. Since maple and oak are the final type of tree that populates an area, they are called the "climax" community.
Of course, if a storm or disease kill some trees, opening the forest floor to light, then birch will move in and the entire process begins again! This process of 1 type of organism taking over after another is called "succession".
