During the very last environmental science lab of the trimester, we worked in groups to analyze an area in the forest that is approximately 15 feet wide by 200 feet long. We were given a data sheet with an amount of trees grouped into several different categories of species and age. We had to copy the information of the trees and their ages, label every species of tree found with the correct estimate of it's age, and then classify it in the correct categories based on that previously determined age.
The data collected involved eleven different species of trees. With each species, we collected the number of trees that fell under each age group, and analyzed each of their particular stages of death in a natural forest habitat. Using these numbers, we graphed the age distribution of each species as they aged and died across each age group.
We then labelled every species of tree found with the correct estimate of it's age, and then classified it in the correct categories based on that previously determined age, organizing the info on a spreadsheet. We realized that there would have to be five different graphs in order to represent all of the five trees with the highest density as you can see below.
The graph below shows the density of the trees in the “marked off area”. The sugar maple clearly has the highest density. Eventually, the sugar maples will become older and will die off.
Based on the graphs, you can see that the younger trees will eventually get older and begin to thin out. The data from the charts will basically shift over to the right in the future. It will show that not many new trees were produced but the ones that were previously produced are getting older. The graphs that are higher to the right side or have older trees will move out and slowly die making room for new trees to grow and take over the forest. For example the Sweet Gum tree does not seem to be producing seedlings. The trees are moving out and will not be there anymore once other trees like the Black Birch begin to grow larger. (Data and graphs shown below)
100 years ago today, the forest was very different. Due to the growth of the forest today, it can be inferred that the species must have been less dense in the past. In order to get the information that would most likely be correct as off 100 years ago, all we would need to do is take our information for the current trees and move all of the trees back in age. The over-mature would become adults and the saplings would no longer be alive. This process should be the same for all the types of trees.
Predictions about the Future of the Forest
Considering the arboreal growth patterns that can be seen in forests today, certain predictions can be made about what the common deciduous forest will look like in the future. In the near future, the most dramatic difference will be seen in the number of Sugar Maples. Considering the short of the Sugar Maple tree (of the data received, there were only 3 adult Sugar Maple compared to the 579 saplings). Following this pattern of growth, it can be predicted that, if most of those Sugar Maples age properly, in several years those saplings will move into the following age group, young followed by adult and eventually maturing. There will a sudden influx of growing, young, trees. These trees will dominate the surface floor of the forest and may even prevent sunlight from getting to the saplings of other tree species that are not growing in such large numbers. Another prediction that can be made for the future of the forest is the posterity of the Black Oak, White Ash, and Sweet Gum trees. At the time of data collection, these species did not have any saplings and the trees that existed, were either mature or old. If the Sugar Maple saplings all mature, they will likely take the sunlight away from any other species’ saplings that begin to grow. This may create a very difficult environment in which the Black Oak, White Ash, and Sweet Gum trees can spread and grow.
Considering the arboreal growth patterns that can be seen in forests today, certain predictions can be made about what the common deciduous forest will look like in the future. In the near future, the most dramatic difference will be seen in the number of Sugar Maples. Considering the short of the Sugar Maple tree (of the data received, there were only 3 adult Sugar Maple compared to the 579 saplings). Following this pattern of growth, it can be predicted that, if most of those Sugar Maples age properly, in several years those saplings will move into the following age group, young followed by adult and eventually maturing. There will a sudden influx of growing, young, trees. These trees will dominate the surface floor of the forest and may even prevent sunlight from getting to the saplings of other tree species that are not growing in such large numbers. Another prediction that can be made for the future of the forest is the posterity of the Black Oak, White Ash, and Sweet Gum trees. At the time of data collection, these species did not have any saplings and the trees that existed, were either mature or old. If the Sugar Maple saplings all mature, they will likely take the sunlight away from any other species’ saplings that begin to grow. This may create a very difficult environment in which the Black Oak, White Ash, and Sweet Gum trees can spread and grow.
Distributed Forms of Graphical Analysis
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