uid=HFR,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org all public read doi:10.6073/pasta/f60103a3b8ad19754d8a2a7ccae4e491 David Foster https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1171-3762 Glenn Motzkin Arthur Allen Researcher Richard Boone Researcher Jon Harrod Researcher 2023 English

For details on methods and results, please see the published paper (Motzkin, G., D. Foster, A. Allen, J. Harrod and R. D. Boone. 1996. Controlling site to evaluate history: vegetation patterns of a New England sand plain. Ecological Monographs 66: 345-365). The Abstract from the paper is reproduced below. "The widespread and long-lasting impact of human activity on natural eco-systems indicates that land-use history must be treated as an integral aspect of ecological study and a critical component of conservation planning. The New England landscape has undergone a complete transformation as forests were converted to agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries followed by succession to woodland as a result of widespread agricultural abandonment. Despite the prevalence of human impacts, the effect and longevity of land-use practices on modern forest conditions are poorly understood. In the present study of pitch pine - scrub oak vegetation on a sand plain in the Connecticut Valley of Massachusetts, we address the following questions: (1) what is the relative importance of human and natural disturbance and environmental factors in controlling vegetation composition, structure, and landscape patterns; (2) what are the mechanisms underlying human impacts on vegetation, and what is the duration of these impacts; and (3) what are the implications of land-use history for the interpretation and conservation of these communities? Sand plain vegetation was selected for investigation because the homogeneity of site conditions facilitates the interpretation of land-use and natural disturbance impacts, and because the uncommon vegetation and constituent species are priorities for conservation efforts. "Paleoecological data suggest that pre-European fires were common on the study area, perhaps ignited by a large regional Indian population. The area was noted historically as an extensive pine plain and was used for wood products from the 18th to the mid-19th century. Eighty-two percent of the area was subsequently plowed for agriculture before being abandoned in the early 20th century. "Soil analyses confirm the homogeneity of site conditions and suggest that land uses (plowing, woodlot/pasture) were determined according to ownership pattern rather than site factors. Previously cultivated parcels have distinct Ap (plow horizons) 15 - 33 cm deep, whereas uncultivated parcels have A horizons 3 - 10 cm in depth. Soil physical and chemical characteristics are similar among land uses and modern vegetation types. "Aerial photographs document a dramatic transformation in plant cover over the last 50 yr. In 1939, the vegetation was grassland or shrub-heath (49%), open-canopy forest (29%), and scrub-oak shrublands (15%). In 1985, 73% of the study area was forested with pitch pine (40%), hardwood (12%), or mixed stands (21%), 9% was in open-canopy stands, and 3% was covered by grass or shrubs. "Vegetation/land-use relations are striking. Pitch pine occurs almost exclusively (97%) on former plowed sites, whereas scrub oak stands occur preferentially (89%) on sites that have not been plowed. Land use explains the greatest variation in modern vegetation as well as the distribution and abundance of many taxa. Fire has been common across the study area but has influenced vegetation largely within patterns resulting from prior land use. Land-use patterns and factors controlling vegetation composition and structure are broadly paralleled at similar sites elsewhere in the Connecticut Valley. "The study indicates that conservation biologists interested in preserving species, communities, and landscape patterns on sand plains in the northeastern United States need to incorporate a dynamic perspective of biological systems that includes the overriding impact of prior land use. In order to appreciate, study, and display these land-use and vegetation patterns it is essential to conserve the mosaic of assemblages and historical uses within a landscape setting."

conservation fires land use oak pine soil vegetation dynamics LTER controlled vocabulary disturbance land use LTER core area Harvard Forest HFR LTER USA HFR default

This dataset is released to the public under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (No Rights Reserved). Please keep the dataset creators informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset should include proper acknowledgement.

Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html CC0-1.0 https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf017 Montague Plain (Montague MA). Coordinates based on WGS84 datum. -72.52 -72.52 +42.57 +42.57 1993 1995 complete Information Manager Harvard Forest

324 North Main Street Petersham MA 01366 USA

(978) 724-3302 hf-im@lists.fas.harvard.edu Harvard Forest

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Two pits (each ~1 m3) were dug and described in each of 121 permanent plots (see archived GIS study area maps with digitized plot locations) established according to historical ownership and modern vegetational patterns across the plain. All organic and mineral horizons were described into the upper substratum and samples were taken of the forest floor and mineral soil (0-30 cm) for physical and chemical analyses. One profile in each pit was described from the top of the forest floor (O layers) through the solum (A and B horizons) into the substratum (C horizon). Mineral soil surface was used as zero depth. All colors were determined on moist samples unless otherwise noted. All profile descriptions and nomenclature followed standard Soil Conservation Service procedures as defined in the Soil Survey Manual (U.S.D.A. Agricultural Handbook No.18).

Forest floor (Oe and Oa horizons) and mineral soil (0-15 cm depth) were sampled in two described pits in each of 121 permanent plots (see archived GIS study area maps with digitized plot locations) established according to historical ownership and modern vegetational patterns across the plain. Samples were brought to the Harvard Forest and analyzed for coarse fragments, organic matter, pH, and bulk density. Organic samples - One sample (15 cm x 15 cm x full depth) of the Oe+Oa horizons combined was collected per pit. After air-drying, samples were sieved to less than 5.6 mm and both fractions were weighed. Subsamples (less than 5.6 mm) were oven-dried (105 C) to obtain an air-dry:oven-dry conversion factor, then combusted (550 C for 4 hrs.) to obtain organic matter content. pH was determined for air-dried samples (1:10, organic layers:water). Mineral samples - One sample was collected per pit at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths with a 5.08 x 15.00 cm cylindrical steel corer. After air-drying, samples were sieved to les than 2.0 mm and both fractions were weighed. Subsamples (less than 2 mm) were oven-dried (105 C) to obtain an air-dry:oven-dry conversion factor, then combusted (550 C for 4 hrs.) to obtain organic matter content. pH was determined for air-dried samples (1:2, mineral soil:water). Bulk Density was calculated based on oven-dry less than 2 mm soil weight and sample volume, corrected for coarse fragment (greater than 2mm) weight and volume.

At 11 permanent 20m x 20m square plots (see archived maps and directions for plot locations), we cored all trees >2.5 cm DBH. Increment cores were taken from within 30 cm of ground surface. Cores were dried, mounted, sanded, and counted using a hand lens or dissecting microscope as necessary. In plot 22, a basal section was taken from the largest scrub oak stem in each clump of sprouts.

At 121 permanent 20m x 20m square plots (see archived maps and directions for plot locations), we estimated cover abundance for all herbs, shrubs, and trees less than 2.5 cm DBH. Plots were located within stands within historical parcel boundaries. Eight cover-abundance classes were used for the understory: 1=rare, less than 1%; 2=few, less than 5%; 3=numerous, less than 5%; 4=5-15%; 5=16-25%; 6=26-50%; 7=51-75%; 8=greater than 75%. Overstory and understory individuals of the same species were treated as separate species.

At 121 permanent 20m x 20m square plots (see archived maps and directions for plot locations), we recorded the presence (Y) or absence (N) of evidence of past fires or plowing. Plots were located within stands within historical parcel boundaries. Methods involved visual inspection of plot to note disturbance indicators.

At 121 permanent 20m x 20m square plots (see archived maps and directions for plot locations), we measured DBH of all tree stems greater than 2.5 cm DBH. Sprouts were indicated, as were dead trees. Plots were located within stands within historical parcel boundaries. In order to relate tree abundance to understory cover values, the maximum live basal area for a single species on a plot (pitch pine=45.9 m2/ha) was assigned a value of 100%. Basal area classes corresponding to the 8 cover- abundance classes used for the understory (1=rare, less than 1%; 2=few, less than 5%; 3=numerous, less than 5%; 4=5-15%; 5=16-25%; 6=26-50%; 7=51-75%; 8=greater than 75%) were then calculated as a percentage of this maximum. Overstory and understory individuals of the same species were treated as separate species.

At 121 permanent 20m x 20m square plots (see archived maps and directions for plot locations), we measured DBH of all tree stems greater than 2.5 cm DBH and estimated cover abundance (in 8 classes) for live herbs, shrubs, and trees less than 2.5 cm DBH. Plots were located within stands within historical parcel boundaries. This data file was used in DCA and CCA analyses. In order to relate tree abundance to understory cover values, the maximum live basal area for a single species on a plot (pitch pine=45.9 m2/ha) was assigned a value of 100%. Basal area classes corresponding to the 8 cover- abundance classes used for the understory (1=rare, less than 1%; 2=few, less than 5%; 3=numerous, less than 5%; 4=5-15%; 5=16-25%; 6=26-50%; 7=51-75%; 8=greater than 75%) were then calculated as a percentage of this maximum. Overstory and understory individuals of the same species were treated as separate species.

The Montague Plain study area showing the location of sample plots within historical ownership and land-use boundaries determined by presence of Ap horizons: white = formerly plowed; narrow diagonal shading = unplowed; cross-hatched shading = minimally or scratch plowed. Stratification of sampling within stands delineated from 1985 aerial photos (not shown) accounts for parcels with more than one sample plot. (From Motzkin et al., Ecological Monographs 66:345-365, 1996).

Frequency of occurrence (%) of common plant species on plowed vs. unplowed sites on the Montague Plain. Only species occuring on at least 25 plots (20% of total) are shown. Significance of G-tests is indicated at the P less than 0.05 (*) and P less than 0.01 (**) levels after accounting for multiple comparisons. (From Motzkin et al., Ecological Monographs 66:345-365, 1996).

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(978) 724-3302 (978) 724-3595 https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu https://ror.org/059cpzx98 pointOfContact The Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program examines ecological dynamics in the New England region resulting from natural disturbances, environmental change, and human impacts. National Science Foundation LTER grants: DEB-8811764, DEB-9411975, DEB-0080592, DEB-0620443, DEB-1237491, DEB-1832210. hf017-01-soil-field.csv soil (field) hf017-01-soil-field.csv 30454 78af5eeb04e35ee2f34ac7f8a9e18372 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-01-soil-field.csv plot sampling plot number (1-121) sampling plot number parcel historical ownership parcel number parcel number stand 1985 Aerial photo stand types (1-22) 1985 Aerial photo stand types (1-22) pit Soil pit within plot A soil pit A B soil pit B oitop height of fibric layer upper surface above mineral surface centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value oetop height of hemic layer upper surface above mineral surface centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value oatop height of sapric layer upper surface above mineral surface centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value atop depth of A horizon upper surface, usually zero centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value etop depth of E horizon upper surface below mineral surface centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value b1top depth of first B horizon upper surface below mineral surface centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value b2top depth of second B horizon upper surface below mineral surface centimeter 1 whole NA missing value ctop depth of first C horizon upper surface below mineral surface centimeter 1 whole NA missing value appres whether Ap horizon present TRUE Ap horizon present FALSE Ap horizon absent abound description of boundary at base of A horizon description of boundary at base of A horizon atext texture of A horizon texture of A horizon acolor Munsell system color of A horizon Munsell system color of A horizon astru structure of A horizon structure of A horizon etext texture of E horizon texture of E horizon ecolor Munsell color of E horizon Munsell color of E horizon estru structure of E horizon structure of E horizon b1tex texture of first B horizon texture of first B horizon b1color color of first B horizon color of first B horizon b1stru structure of first B horizon structure of first B horizon b2tex texture of second B horizon texture of second B horizon b2color Munsell color of second B horizon Munsell color of second B horizon ctext texture of C horizon texture of C horizon ccolor color of C horizon color of C horizon frtdep depth at which 99% of fine roots have ceased centimeter 1 real NA missing value charcoal presence/absence of charcoal below the mineral surface present TRUE presence of charcoal below the mineral surface FALSE absence of charcoal below the mineral surface notes notes notes 242 hf017-02-soil-lab.csv soil (lab) hf017-02-soil-lab.csv 25512 50ca633f02977849f04f5e671b168751 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-02-soil-lab.csv plot sampling plot number sampling plot number pit soil pit within plot (a, b) soil pit within plot depth sample depth 0-15cm organic 15-30cm mineral totwt air-dry weight, unsieved gram 0.01 real NA missing value sievwt air-dry weight; <2 mm fraction gram 0.01 real NA missing value coarwt air-dry weight; >2 mm fraction gram 0.01 real NA missing value ph pH of sample in water (1:2;mineral soil:water, 1:10; organic:water) number 0.01 real NA missing value adod ratio of air:oven (105 C) dry weights number 0.01 real NA missing value om organic matter concentration (%) number 0.01 real NA missing value bd bulk density; mineral samples only, corrected for coarse fragments gramsPerCubicCentimeter 0.01 real NA missing value 484 hf017-03-age.csv age structure hf017-03-age.csv 35972 08039ee947c02477aa1d7e0504b371ee 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-03-age.csv plot sampling plot number sampling plot number parcel parcel number parcel number stand 1985 stand type from aerial photos 1985 stand type from aerial photos treenum tree number within a plot tree number within a plot species species ACRU Acer Rubrum AMSP Amelachier sp. BEPA Betula papyrifera BEPO Betula populifolia PIRI Pinus rigida PIST Pinus strobus PISY Pinus sylvestris POTR Populus tremuloides PRSE Prunus serotina QUAL Quercus alba QUCO Quercus coccinea QUIL Quercus Ilicifolia QURU Quercus rubra QUVE Quercus velutina dbh diameter at breast height centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value sound Is tree sound or rotten/hollow? N no Y yes spr whether sprout from stump or isolated trunk N isolated trunk Y sprout from stump sprouts sprouts are indicated with the same TREENUM sprouts char whether tree is charred N not charred Y charred lean whether the tree leaning N not leaning Y leaning dir direction (degrees) in which tree leans degree 1 whole NA missing value comm comments comments age actual ring count number 1 natural NA missing value corr estimated number of additional rings to pith number 1 whole NA missing value 800 hf017-04-understory.csv understory cover hf017-04-understory.csv 48800 8dcd44db7a3e0adf0691806672c57fc8 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-04-understory.csv plot sampling plot number (1-121) sampling plot number (1-121) parcel parcel number parcel number stand 1985 stand type from aerial photos 1985 stand type from aerial photos species 4-letter acronym; see species list species code cover cover-abundance class (1-8) cover-abundance class (1-8) 2881 hf017-05-plot.csv plot hf017-05-plot.csv 2465 885652d908d7ec8450071ff987eaac7a 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-05-plot.csv plot sampling plot number (1-121) sampling plot number (1-121) parcel parcel number parcel number stand stand type determined from 1985 aerial photos stand type determined from 1985 aerial photos plowed presence/absence of Ap horizon Y presence of Ap horizon N absence of Ap horizon scars presence/absence of fire scars Y presence of fire scars N absence of fire scars charred presence of bark charring Y presence of bark charring N absence of bark charring charcoal presence/absence of soil charcoal Y presence of soil charcoal N absence of soil charcoal cut evidence of past cutting Y evidence of past cutting Y no evidence of past cutting 121 hf017-06-tree.csv tree hf017-06-tree.csv 194873 cfa777a7341d2aa4d2c6d4701215e712 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-06-tree.csv plot sampling plot number (1-121) sampling plot number (1-121) parcel parcel number parcel number stand 1985 stand type from aerial photos 1985 stand type from aerial photos species 4-letter acronym; see species list species code dbh Diameter at Breast Height centimeter 0.1 real NA missing value dead dead N alive Y dead sprouts sprouts were assigned the same number number 1 whole NA missing value 8168 hf017-07-vegetation.csv vegetation hf017-07-vegetation.csv 26663 87e81cc94bc313b12ecae314dffb09a0 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-07-vegetation.csv plot sampling plot number (1-121) sampling plot number (1-121) species species number, see species list species number cover cover-abundance/basal area class cover-abundance/basal area class 2881 hf017-08-species-list.csv species list hf017-08-species-list.csv 4491 3ab481c05853a9feb508677d4147a123 1 \r\n column , https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-08-species-list.csv species.number species number species number species.code 4-letter species code 4-letter species code species.name species name species name 159 hf017-09-plot-map.gif Montague Plain study area showing the location of sample plots hf017-09-plot-map.gif 13070 0ba72a88bece836c67ef477e7dd8bd00 gif https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-09-plot-map.gif image hf017-10-figure.gif frequency of occurrence (%) of common plant species on plowed vs. unplowed sites on the Montague Plain. hf017-10-figure.gif 10112 fa391e6a89681deec45fd844cae5de9e gif https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p01/hf017/hf017-10-figure.gif image community regional short-term measurement