Biogeography

1)   Explain/account for  the changes that have occurred in the vegetation of southern Ontario since
deglaciation .  For example : What do the major shifts in vegetation composition or species
dominance suggest about the types of plant communities and/or environments at different time
periods? Which species are indicative of major environmental trends and how (Anderson and
Silvics will be instructive). How do you think species’  dispersal/migrati on influenced rates of
change? Do any of the patterns/rates of change at this site seem at odds with the literature on
species composition and environmental changes during this time period? Explain.
2)   You may also wish to comment on  the nature of plant communities  suggested by  these data,
e.g., do  species in communities  stick  togeth er or do species migrate and   exist independently
of one another  (Botkin will be instructive  here ). Does the data alter your impression of the
vegetation communities around here , i.e., their impermanence or longevity and the notion that
they represent balanced or  equilibrium communities?  Explain.
x  Your discussion should b e  at least  2 pages (but not more than 3), typed, double -spaced , and you
should  cite relevant supportive  literature  from the  text book and relevant course readings ( listed
below) or  other peer-reviewed literature . Organize and expand upon key discussion points with
factual, concise statements of argument and evidence. This is a scientific report so avoid vague
statements, sweeping claims, unjustified speculation and informal, chatty language

References:
Recommend ed  (the first 3 are essential ; your TA will look for evidence that you have considered them ):
Anderson, T.W. (1989) Vegetation changes over 12,000 years. Geos 18:39-47.
x  This paper presents the vegetation reconstruction for easter n Ontario/southern Quebec, a site
located to the east of ours. It  experienced slightly different patterns of vegetation change and
perhaps unique driving forces.
x  The Discussion in this paper will assist in interpreting your own  results

Botkin (1990) Chap. 4 , Oaks in New Jersey: Machine -age forests, p. 51 -68.   Discordant Harmonies.
Oxford UP, New York.
x  An excellent introduction  to the implications of glacial migrations and community change to
nature preserve management.

Jacobson, G.L., Jr., Webb, T., III and Grimm, E.C. (1987) Patterns and rates of vegetation
change  during the deglaciation of eastern North America. pp. 277-288 in Ruddiman,
W.F., and Wright, H.E., Jr., eds.,  North America and adjacent oceans during the last
deglaciation .  Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America,  Geology of North America,
Vol. K-3.

Pielou, E.C. (1992) pp. 90-101.  After the Ice Age . U. Chicago Press, Chicago.
x  Great context for the topic of plant species post -glacial migration

Silvics of North America:  http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm
x  A  useful  reference for  information on particular species’ environmental needs and current range
locations.

Additional references : Longer reads for the enthusiast ic, the se  are  valuable for understanding the
broader issue of  post -glacial vegetation change:  filed in the GRC, 4
th
floor Ross by South Elevators

Ritchie, J.C. (1987) Postglacial Vegetation of Canada.  Cambridge University Press, New York.
x  This is a good reference to start with, esp. Chapter 5: Fossil Record and Reconstruction and
Chapter 8: Vegetation Reconstruction and Paleoenvironments.
x  concerns eastern Canada/Great Lakes Basin/Southern Ontario/eastern Temperate forests
Tallis, J.H. (1991 ) Plant Community History.  Chapman and Hall, New York.
x  See parts of Chap 6: Environmental Change in the Holocene; Chap 11, Resurgence of Forest.
Botanical Name     Common Name    Botanical Name   Common Name

Picea mariana        Black spruce        Fagaceae     Beech  family
Picea glauca      White spruce      Juglandaceae    Walnut family
Pinus strobus       Eastern white pine    Ulmaceae     Elm family
Pinus banksiana     Jack pine       Chenopodiaceae  Goosefoot family
Pinus resinosa       Red pine
Abies balsamea    Balsam fir
Betula alleghaniensis    Yellow birch
Betula papyrifera    Paper birch
Quercus alba       White oak
Quercus rubra       Red oak
Ulmus americana    White elm
Ostrya virginiana     Hop-hornbeam (ironwood)
Carpinus caroliniana     Blue beech (ironwood)
Tsuga canadensis     Eastern hemlock
Fagus grandifolia     American beech
Fraxinus americana     White ash
Fraxinus nigra     Black ash
Acer saccharum     Sugar maple
Acer saccharinum     Silver maple
Acer rubrum       Red maple
Graminae       Grass family
Cyperaceae      Sedge family
Artemesia      Wormwood genus
Ginkgo biloba       Maidenhair tree (broadleaved deciduous gymnosperm)
Glyptostrobus       Cypress
Larix          Larch genus (deciduous conifer)
Metasequoia pseudolarix   Dawn redwood (deciduous conifer)
Taxodium       Bald cypress (deciduous conifer)
Nothofagus      Southern beech
Araucaria      Monkey- puzzle tree (southern hemisphere conifer)
Dacrydium      conifer
Microccachrys     Cycads of western Cuba
Podocarpus       Southern hemisphere conifer
Alnus        Alder
Betula         Birch
Corylus      Hazel
Nyssa        Sourgums and Blackgums
Salix         Willow
Ulmus        Elm
Picea        Spruce
Pinus        Pine
Tsuga        Hemlock
Carya        Hickory
Liquidambar      Sweetgum (witch hazel family)
Ceridiphyllum      angiosperm tree in China and Japan
Sequoia      Redwood
Table 1, below . You can download these data in Excel format from Moodle. F irst review the title and
legend/notes below, e.g., to determine what  T ‘ signifies; Jack pi ne and Red pine vs. White pine, etc.

Figures to illustrate  ice front location and  changes in this and  major tree taxa distributions (Pinus,
Picea) from  14,000 and  10,000 y.b.p.