Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) field experiments in Southern Appalachian Mountains region

Gleditsia triacanthos seeds were planted at field sites in the Southern Appalachian Mountains region to examine whether recruitment was habitat limited. Sites contain mixed open (fields) and closed (early to mid-successional forest) habitats, and the riverine geomorphology includes riparian terraces and wet floodplain depressions. Three habitat types - forest edge, floodplain and riparian; were chosen to expose seeds to soil moisture, temperature and light gradients. Measurements of germination success, seedling height, soil moisture, soil temperature, diffuse light, and vegetation cover were taken.