Bottomland Hardwood Forest Characteristics

Bottomland hardwood forests typically have distinct ecological zones at different elevations and flood frequencies.

Bottomland hardwood forest characteristics.

The bottomland hardwood forest is a type of deciduous and evergreen hardwood forest found in us broad lowland floodplains along large rivers and lakes. Hook 3 victor w. These zones are the result of an active river cutting its banks and forming new land putnam 1960. Leitman introduction bottomland hardwoods blh occur throughout the riverine floodplains of the southeastern united states figure 1.

Results indicate that overcup oak is dominant in all three vertical layers while the more desirable willow oak is common only in the overstory. They are occasionally flooded which builds up the alluvial soils required for the gum oak and bald cypress trees that typically grow in this type of biome. 276 characteristics of wetlands ecosystems of southeastern bottomland hardwood forests william h. The soil which erodes from the bank is often deposited on the inside bend downstream on what is referred to as a point bar.

Bottomland hardwood forests blh are found in temperate humid regions of the southeastern us primarily on alluvial floodplains adjacent to rivers. You can use the term bottomland forest loosely to refer to a variety of wooded habitats but true bottomland forests have these characteristics. 1 common characteristics of bottomland swamp forests in the south atlantic coastal plain hydrology effects species composition o persistent. Bottomland swamp forest silviculture symposium field tour.

General characteristics bottomland hardwoods are one of the lowest in elevation and the wettest types of hardwood forests. Historic blhs were a product of the natural hydrologic and geomorphic processes associated with their adjacent rivers. Our objective was to characterize the vegetative composition and abundance in a bottomland hardwood stand which had been under an annual flooding regime for over 50 years. Bottomland hardwood forests can reduce the risk and severity of flooding to downstream communities by providing areas to store floodwater.

Patrick jr j george dissmeyer 2 donai d. They are generally found along the edges of lakes and rivers and in sinkholes. Typical tree species growing in these forests range from cottonwoods and sweetgums to cherrybark oaks water oaks and hickories. They are seasonally wet areas for example from annual spring flooding.