Composition of a Bottomland Forest on the Colorado River in the Lampasas Cut Plain of Texas

摘要

We analyzed a hardwood bottomland forest along the Colorado River in the Lampasas Cut Plainof Texas and described species composition and structure of vegetation. Our analysis was conducted toprovide baseline knowledge on the natural vegetation. The bottomland forest was comprised of threevegetational layers: 1) upper canopy of dominant trees including cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) and greenash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), 2) under canopy of heavily browsed lianas, shrubs, and shorter treesincluding saw greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox), Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana), and westernsoapberry (Saponaria saponaria) as well as 3) an herbaceous zone of Canada wild rye (Elymuscanadensis) and Texas wintergrass (Nasella leuchotricha), sedges, as well as both annual and perennialforbs. Cedar elm and green ash were dominant trees but had little regeneration, which may be caused byhydrological differences, grazing by cattle, as well as heavy browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileusvirginianus) and felling and girdling by American beavers (Castor canadensis). In addition we comparevegetation with high importance and dominance as well as diversity to other rivers found in the WestCross Timbers of Texas. Published on-line www.phytologia.org Phytologia 100(2): 128-144 (Jun 22,2018). ISSN 030319430.