Probing the mechanisms by which sub-canopy evergreen shrubs inhibit tree seedling recruitment at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory from 1999 to 2003

Two hundred 2x2 meter plots along transects and traversing 3 understory conditions; rhododendron, kalmia, open. Light conditions will be assessed for each plot and the extreme 50% will be used for experimentation. All plots will be planted to a combination of northern red oak, chestnut oak, red maple, and pitch pine. Inoculated (with mychorrizae) and non-inoculated seedlings will be planted in the plots. Relationships between performance and mychorrizal infection will be determined.