(1) The vascular plant species composition of 190 woodland sites in central New England was analysed to determine the effects of overstorey composition and age on the understorey flora. (2) Multiway contingency table analysis suggested there were significant differences in the understorey flora of primary (old-growth) versus secondary (old-field) woods. Differences in the flora of conifer versus broadleaved woods were less pronounced. (3) A variety of factors, e.g. microclimatic conditions and the low seed production and poor colonizing ability of many species are probably responsible for the distinctive flora of central New England's primary woodlands.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Whitney et al. (1988) studied this question.