Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Joshua J. Granger

Committee Member

Heather D. Alexander

Committee Member

Courtney M. Siegert

Date of Degree

8-6-2021

Original embargo terms

Worldwide

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Forestry

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Forestry

Abstract

Across the central and eastern United States, upland oaks are experiencing regeneration complications. This thesis comprises two studies evaluating challenges in regenerating upland oaks. One study evaluates upland Quercus spp., Carya spp., and Acer rubrum L. response to prescribed fire and impacts on seedling growth and mortality. This study found prescribed fire promoted oak growth when canopy cover was < 77%. Oaks displayed lower percent mortality and higher resprout capacity after fire compared to red maple. The second study investigates impacts of Microstegium vimineum presence on Quercus alba L., Liriodendron tulipifera L., and Acer rubrum L. seedlings under different light and moisture environments. Microstegium vimineum presence decreased growth of both sweetgum and red maple; white oak was less impacted, likely because of its conservative growth strategy and high-water use efficiency. Oaks’ conservative growth strategy may offer more resiliency compared to its competitors in response to prescribed fire and Microstegium vimineum.

Sponsorship

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA McIntire-Stennis grant #MISZ-069450.

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