Forgotten Landscapes: Using Original Land Surveys to Understand the Historic Distribution of Cane Brakes in Wayne County, MS
This study investigates the historical presence and ecological significance of Arundinaria gigantea (giant cane) in 1810, Wayne County, Mississippi, using original survey documents. These records provide rare quantitative insights into the distribution of cane brakes, revealing that A. gigantea possibly represented up to 44% of the surveyed landscape, likely second only to Pinus palustris (longleaf pine). This research involved digitizing historical surveyors' notes, transcribing them into a structured format, and extracting spatial data for GIS analysis. The methodology developed for this research can be used to ensure the preservation and usability of these historical documents for future research. Results highlight Arundinaria gigantea’s role as a dominant understory species, thriving in various landforms such as swamps, riverbanks, and upland forests.
Arundinaria gigangtea, River Cane, cane brakes, Public Land Surveys, Switch Cane, Geographic Information Sciences, Geography, Physical and Environmental Geography
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