Forest Habitats

Northern Mesic Forest

Northern mesic forests occur on loamy soils of glacial till plains and cover about 2% of the LGBFR AOC. Invasive species of LGBFR AOC northern mesic forests consist of both shrubs and herbs.

Northern mesic forests have four different stages of growth: late seral, mid seral, early seral and young seral. Late seral forests, also known as old growth forests, typically have the highest species diversity of these four stages. Old growth forests also have the greatest range of tree size and age, greatest architectural complexity and ample woody debris at many stages of decomposition. In contrast, mid-seral forests are characteristically composed of trees of more similar size and age, with trunks of relatively smaller diameter (28-38⁺ cm dbh). Early seral forest floors have little accumulation of woody debris. High competition inhibits new saplings from growing. Young seral forests, the least mature of the four seral stages, grow from clear-cutting or a high disturbance event. The highest quality northern mesic forests of the LGBFR AOC are at the (late) mid-seral stage of maturity.

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Other Forest

These forests typically have an open canopy and an understory that is often dominated by invasive species. Pine plantations are also considered as ‘other forests.’ Such forests do not readily fit into any widely recognized plant community type and thus are placed in ‘other forests.’ Accounting for 7% of the LGBFR AOC habitat, these forests are the fourth largest habitat type.

Southern Dry Mesic Forest

This upland forest type in the LGBFR AOC is characterized by an oak-dominated canopy of both red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba). Southern dry mesic forests occur on well-drained, loamy soils formed in till, and cover about 1% of the habitat in the LGBFR AOC.

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