Location
Student Center
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
27-8-2026 11:40 AM
End Date
27-8-2026 12:40 PM
Description
Oak savannas represent one of the most threatened ecosystems in Minnesota due to changing land use management, particularly absence of fire (Davis, 2001). Frequent burns kill fire-sensitive mesophytic tree species, reducing the dominance of woody understory and allowing for restoration of the oak savanna environment. The GLADES (Grid for Landscape Analysis and Demographic Study) site was established in 1988 in East Bethel, Minnesota to study the effect of frequent burning on oak savanna restoration. Through the use of standardized methods of photography, we compared canopy differences across GLADES between 2001 and 2026. Preliminary observations revealed increased canopy density and reduced understory in 2026 photos, likely due to growth in large oak trees, canopy shading, and lack of oak regeneration. With the creation of this photo standardization method, future analysis can focus on overcoming seasonal differences and increasing quantitative measurements of analysis.
Visualizing 25 Years of Change in the GLADES Oak Savanna
Student Center
Oak savannas represent one of the most threatened ecosystems in Minnesota due to changing land use management, particularly absence of fire (Davis, 2001). Frequent burns kill fire-sensitive mesophytic tree species, reducing the dominance of woody understory and allowing for restoration of the oak savanna environment. The GLADES (Grid for Landscape Analysis and Demographic Study) site was established in 1988 in East Bethel, Minnesota to study the effect of frequent burning on oak savanna restoration. Through the use of standardized methods of photography, we compared canopy differences across GLADES between 2001 and 2026. Preliminary observations revealed increased canopy density and reduced understory in 2026 photos, likely due to growth in large oak trees, canopy shading, and lack of oak regeneration. With the creation of this photo standardization method, future analysis can focus on overcoming seasonal differences and increasing quantitative measurements of analysis.