Jody Thompson wrote,
> I certainly agree that terrestrial mollusk species diversity is much lower
on cultivated land and pine woods. Additionally, I know that Andrew's
comments are not meant to discourage searching in these areas. However,
there can still be many exciting finds in these habitats. [snip]
Additionally, pine woods can be much easier to maneuver through at night
(trying to stay on the subject) than many other forest types.
Oh, assuredly. Pine woods may not have the rich diversity of hardwoods, but
they do contain many species adapted to living there and nowhere else:
salamanders, woodpeckers, insects, wildflowers ... One might also mention
canebrakes (thickets of American bamboo), wetlands on limestone terrain,
wetlands on acid terrain, cold and hot springs, mountains, and coastal areas
as having their own characteristic faunas and floras.
One must keep in mind that Herbert H. Smith was active in Alabama during the
1890s to 1910s. At that time, fire controlled the underbrush to a greater
degree than today, often staying close to the ground without entering the
crowns of the trees. Snail populations must have been regularly decimated by
fire, especially in pine woods. Note that Herbert Smith made a point of
mentioning steep slopes, shady and damp hardwood forests, and ravines. These
are the same places that Southeastern botanist Roland Harper commented on as
havens for fire-intolerant trees such as redcedar (Juniperus) and sweetgum
(Liquidambar). Would anyone else care to comment on the fire-snail
connection? Uh, at night?
Cheers,
Andy
Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama
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