A comparison of the tree growth on roadside edge and interior forests.

Abstract

As the human population continues to grow, the effect of urban sprawl reaches further into previously undisturbed habitats. The increase in the number of roads being built is one of the consequence this growth. This study was conducted to find out possible influences that a road edge may have on northern Michigan forest ecosystem. North and south facing edges were compared to the interior forest as a control. Factors such as height, basal area, age, growth, light intensity and soil chemistry were all observed to try to understand which factors had the most influence on the edge trees. Aspens were found to be significantly taller in interior plots compared to combined edge plots (p=0.01). Orientation of edge did not have a significance on the height or basal area of aspens. For eastern white pine the trees in the north facing edge plots were significantly shorter in height and smaller in basal area than those on the south facing and interior plots. Growth rates between 1968 and 1988 were similar on the edge and interior plots for both eastern white pine and bigtooth aspen. Although the direct effects may not be seen, the successional transition of the forest ecosystem will show the impact of the road edge.