thumbnail

Historical land cover changes in the Great Lakes Region

Biological Science Report
By: , , , , and 
Edited by: Thomas D. Sisk

Links

  • The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

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.
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
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details