Date of Award
4-1-1986
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Thomas Bragg
Abstract
Four stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), situated within sandhills prairie sites in north central Nebraska, were evaluated for age distribution, reproductive status and spatial distribution. Trees were generally young; of the 563 individuals sampled, 11 had establishment dates prior to 1900 with the oldest dated 1868. All trees greater than 55 years old bore cones. Initial tree establishment appears to have occurred on north facing slopes where both the oldest trees and 92% of all trees observed were located. Age structure data show pine populations are increasing in all four prairie sites. This study shows that, under present management, ponderosa pine is invading the sandhills prairie.
Recommended Citation
Steinauer, Ernest M., "Recent ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) occurrence in Nebraska sandhills prairie." (1986). Student Work. 3364.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/3364
Comments
A Thesis Presented to the Department of Biology and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright 1986 Ernest M. Steinauer.