Abstract We compared the relative frequencies of witness trees in historical deeds to the relative frequencies of tree species found in the present forests. Changes in relative frequencies of the five dominant tree species were noted in all ecological subsections, although all species found in the past forests are represented in the present. The greatest changes across the study area were a decrease in the representation of white oak and an increase in red maple. The changes in representation by functional groups show a trend toward loss of fire-adapted species of intermediate shade intolerance with associated gains in species of high shade tolerance. Current FIA data on the species composition of trees in the sapling and seedlings size-classes indicate that the trend of reduced of oak species frequency is likely to continue into the near future. This gradual conversion from oak-dominated overstories to maple-dominated understories is a regional trend. Our findings echo a paradox found in the northeastern United States where after 400 years of land use change, forest cover has largely recovered but relative species composition has been transformed. This paradox may add to the difficulty in designing strategies and treatments for ecosystem restoration. However, as we have shown, the changes can be quantified and placed in an ecological context as support for restoration actions.

中文翻译：

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250 年来西弗吉尼亚中东部山区森林的变化

摘要 我们比较了历史行为中见证树的相对频率与现在森林中发现的树种的相对频率。尽管在过去的森林中发现的所有物种都在现在代表了，但在所有生态亚组中都注意到了五种优势树种的相对频率的变化。整个研究区域的最大变化是白橡木的减少和红枫的增加。功能组代表的变化显示出中等耐荫性的火适应物种丧失的趋势，而高耐荫性物种的相关增加。目前国际汽联关于树苗和幼苗大小等级树木物种组成的数据表明，橡树物种频率减少的趋势可能会持续到不久的将来。从以橡木为主的上层林逐渐转变为以枫木为主的下层林是一种区域趋势。我们的发现呼应了在美国东北部发现的一个悖论，在那里经过 400 年的土地利用变化，森林覆盖已基本恢复，但相对物种组成发生了变化。这种悖论可能会增加设计生态系统恢复策略和处理方法的难度。然而，正如我们所展示的，这些变化可以量化并置于生态环境中，作为对恢复行动的支持。这种悖论可能会增加设计生态系统恢复策略和处理方法的难度。然而，正如我们所展示的，这些变化可以量化并置于生态环境中，作为对恢复行动的支持。这种悖论可能会增加设计生态系统恢复策略和处理方法的难度。然而，正如我们所展示的，这些变化可以量化并置于生态环境中，作为对恢复行动的支持。