| Popis: |
The Blackwater Ecological Preserve (BEP), located in southeastern Virginia, holds significant ecological importance as it contains the northernmost intact community of Pinus palustris, longleaf pine. At the BEP, we cored longleaf pine and recorded sample data including tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH). Two sites on the BEP, the 20’s series and 40’s series, were found to correlate within, but not between, sites. Statistical and qualitative analyses were conducted to find differences between the sites significant enough to affect correlation within a chronology. This data is being incorporated into a larger dendrochronology and climate analysis study on longleaf and other pine species on the BEP. This research is important for several reasons. Currently, no baseline master chronology exists for any tree species of the BEP, so the age of the pine populations is unknown. Additionally, there is a significant lack of research on climate related growth trends involving the longleaf pine near the northern range limit. The information produced from this study may have implications in the future management of the Preserve and its pine populations. |
