Historical land cover changes in the Great Lakes Region
Biological Science Report
By: K.L. Cole, M.B. Davis, F. Stearns, G. Guntenspergen, and K. Walker
Edited by: Thomas D. Sisk
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Abstract
Two different methods of reconstructing historical vegetation change, drawing on General Land Office (GLO) surveys and fossil pollen deposits, are demonstrated by using data from the Great Lakes region. Both types of data are incorporated into landscape-scale analyses and presented through geographic information systems. Results from the two methods reinforce each other and allow reconstructions of past landscapes at different time scales. Changes to forests of the Great Lakes region during the last 150 years were far greater than the changes recorded over the preceding 1,000 years. Over the last 150 years, the total amount of forested land in the Great Lakes region declined by over 40%, and much of the remaining forest was converted to early successional forest types as a result of extensive logging. These results demonstrate the utility of using GLO survey data in conjunction with other data sources to reconstruct a generalized 'presettlement' condition and assess changes in landcover.
Suggested Citation
Cole, K., Davis, M., Stearns, F., Guntenspergen, G., Walker, K., 1999, Historical land cover changes in the Great Lakes Region: Biological Science Report, 8 p.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Title | Historical land cover changes in the Great Lakes Region |
| Series title | Biological Science Report |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Contributing office(s) | Cooperative Forest Ecosystem Research, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Larger Work Title | Perspectives on the land use history of North America: A context for understanding our changing environment |
| First page | 43 |
| Last page | 50 |