Oregon East Cascades, Lava Plains (Ponderosa pine - Western Juniper) 12-16 PZ

Description

A dry forested community, this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and plant community. Pathways between these phases are defined by historic fire and insect disturbance regimes. The Reference Community within this state is an open, mature, savanna-like ponderosa pine stand represented by Community Phase 1.4. Historical evidence suggests that this community type was much more common prior to selective logging and widespread fire suppression which can alter fire regimes and lead to a greater frequency of high severity fire. Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “current potential state”. In this document, the term “reference state” is used synonymously with “current potential state” for the sake of simplicity.

Dominant plant species

1. western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree

2. ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree

3. mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), shrub

4. antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), shrub

5. Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

6. bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Submodel

Description

Site converted to pasture, cropland.

Dominant plant species

1. orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), grass

Submodel