Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R010XY230OR
Aspen Upland
12-18 PZ
Last updated: 4/01/2025
Accessed: 07/02/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 010X–Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills
This MLRA is characterized by gently rolling to steep hills, plateaus, and low mountains at the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Oregon and the Central Rocky Mountains in Idaho. The geology of this area is highly varied and ranges from Holocene volcanics to Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. Mollisols are the dominant soil order and the soil climate is typified by mesic or frigid soil temperature regimes, and xeric or aridic soil moisture regimes. Elevation ranges from 1,300 to 6,600 feet (395 to 2,010 meters), increasing from west to east. The climate is characterized by dry summers and snow dominated winters with precipitation averaging 8 to 16 inches (205 to 405 millimeters) and increasing from west to east. These factors support plant communities with shrub-grass associations with considerable acreage of sagebrush grassland. Big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Idaho fescue are the dominant species. Stiff sagebrush, low sagebrush, and Sandberg bluegrass are often dominant on sites with shallow restrictive layers. Western juniper is one of the few common tree species and since European settlement has greatly expanded its extent in Oregon. Nearly half of the MLRA is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Most of the area is used for livestock grazing with areas accessible by irrigation often used for irrigated agriculture.
Classification relationships
Landfire Biophysical Setting:
Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest & Woodland
US National Vegetation Classification System
Group: G222. Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Aspen Forest & Woodland
Alliance: A2036. Populus tremuloides Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance
Association: (Undetermined)Ecological site concept
In reference condition, this site supports a mature aspen forest with a diverse understory. In comparison to riparian aspen sites, this site is drier and exists on upland landforms such as swales, talus slopes, seeps, or snow pockets. Common plant species that characterize the reference community include mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). Unlike upland aspen stands in other portions of the Great Basin, this site is found on mid-elevations, typically between 4,300 and 7,000 feet. Historically wildfire was an important disturbance on this site that reduced invasion of encroaching western Juniper. Alteration of this disturbance regime may be promoting expansion of this competitive conifer on this site.
Associated sites
R010XC032OR SR Mountain 12-16 PZ
SR Mountain 12-16 PZ (drier site, no available sub-surface flows, different composition – aspen absent)
R010XY117OR Mountain Swale 12-16 PZ
Mountain Swale 12-16 PZ (drier site, less available sub-surface flows, different composition – aspen absent, LECI4 dominant)
R010XY220OR Alder Riparian 12-18 PZ
Alder Riparian 12-18 PZ (transportation reach, steeper grade, gravelly surface and subsurface, different composition – aspen minor)
R010XY225OR Aspen Riparian 12-18 PZ
Aspen Riparian 12-18 PZ (deposition location, flatter slope, wetter site, different composition- POTR5/SALIX-RIAU/LECI4 association)
R010XC047OR SR Mountain South 12-16 PZ
SR Mountain South 12-16 PZ (drier site, no available sub-surface flows, different composition – aspen absent)
R010XC066OR SR Mountain North 12-16 PZ
SR Mountain North 12-16 PZ (drier site, less available sub-surface flows, different composition – aspen absent)
R010XY012OR Booth-Yellow Willow Riparian
Willow Riparian: Booth-Yellow Willow and other Willow Riparian Sites (wetter sites, deposition floodplain location, higher available sub- surface and surface flows, different composition – aspen minor or absent)
Similar sites
R023XY418OR ASPEN 16-35 PZ
Aspen 16-35 PZ (higher elevation, coarser soil, different composition – POTR5/SYOR2/CAREX association with an increase in ACHNA)
R010XY225OR Aspen Riparian 12-18 PZ
Aspen Riparian 12-18 PZ (deposition location, flatter slope, wetter site, different composition- POTR5/SALIX-RIAU/LECI4 association)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Populus tremuloides
Shrub (1) Symphoricarpos oreophilus
(2) RibesHerbaceous (1) Festuca idahoensis
(2) Leymus cinereusPhysiographic features
This site typically occurs near forestland on the southern edge of the Ochoco and Blue Mountains where juniper invasion is a concern. It occurs on mountain side slopes and plateaus in areas receiving additional subsurface moisture. Locations include swales, foot slopes, talus sites, seeps and snow drift micro sites. Slopes typically range from 2 to 35 percent but may be as steep as 60 percent. Aspects are variable, but typically have a north to northeast exposure. Elevations range from 4,300 to 6,300 feet (1,300 to 1,900 meters) but may occur as high as 7,000 feet (2,150 meters). The site is not subject to ponding. No water table is present.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountains > Mountain slope
(2) Mountains > Plateau
(3) Mountains > Swale
Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) Flooding frequency None to very rare Ponding frequency None Elevation 4300 – 6300 ft Slope 2 – 35 % Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Flooding duration Not specified Flooding frequency Not specified Ponding frequency Not specified Elevation 4300 – 7000 ft Slope 2 – 60 % Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 18 inches (300 to 450 mm), but may receive as much as 25 inches (630 mm) most of which occurs in the form of snow and rain during the months of November through May. Localized convection storms occasionally occur during the summer. The soil temperature regime is mesic near frigid to frigid with a mean air temperature of 43° F (6° C) and a range of 39 to 46° F (4 to 8° C). Temperature extremes range from 90 to -20° F (-28 to 32° C). The frost free period is typically 20 to 90 days. The soil moisture regime is Xeric. The optimum growth period for plant growth is late May through July. Climate graphs are based on the nearest available climate stations to representative site locations and are provided to indicate general climate patterns.
Table 4 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 20-90 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 70-120 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) Freeze-free period (actual range) Precipitation total (actual range) 10-30 in Frost-free period (average) 60 days Freeze-free period (average) 100 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) AUSTIN 3 S [USC00350356], Prairie City, OR
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(2) WESTFALL [USC00359176], Harper, OR
">Influencing water features
This site receives additional subsurface moisture due to its topographical position relative to areas of snow accumulation or springs. These may include areas of snow drifting where late season melting infiltrates soils and augments growing season soil moisture. While this site is not associated with riparian areas and streams, it may also be found adjacent to low volume seeps.
Wetland description
Not defined.
Soil features
The soils of this site are typically deep to very deep and well drained. Soil organic matter is typically high. The family particle size is coarse loamy, with loam, fine sandy loam and ashy silt loam textures common in surface and subsurface horizons. Discontinuous small gravel lenses are common. Depth to bedrock is greater than 40 inches. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 10 to 12 inches for the profile. Ephemeral sub-surface flows supplement the AWC. The erosion potential is moderate to severe. See Scratchpost for a typical soil series associated with this site concept.
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Volcanic ash – rhyolite
(2) Colluvium – tuff
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Coarse-loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately slow Depth to restrictive layer 40 – 80 in Soil depth 40 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 15 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)10 – 12 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.8 – 7.6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(4-60in)10 – 20 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(4-60in)0 – 15 % Ecological dynamics
The potential native plant community is dominated by a multi age stand of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) and wax currant (Ribes cereum) are prevalent in the understory. Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), rose (Rosa spp.) and a variety of forbs are common. Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), mountain brome (Bromus marginatus), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), elk sedge (Carex geyeri) and pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens) are present. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 25 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, and 70 percent shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover is 80 to 120 percent (basal and crown).
Range in Characteristics:
Healthy quaking aspen stands are uniform with varying age classes. The presence of tall and short shrubs, forbs and grasses varies with precipitation, available subsurface moisture and aspen canopy cover. Shrubs decrease under older closed aspen canopies and increase in stand initiation and open sapling-pole stages. Tall shrubs, chokecherry (Prunus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.) increase with an increase in perennial subsurface and surface moisture. Mountain snowberry and currants consistently occur in the understory. Idaho fescue is the dominant grass with blue wildrye increasing in shade. Basin wildrye and mountain big sagebrush increase in lightly shaded areas and near stand edges. On moist swales and other sites adjacent to forestland, elk sedge and pinegrass will increase. On lower elevation and droughtier aspects, mountain big sagebrush, wax currant and Idaho fescue increase. Needlegrasses (Achnatherum spp.) and blue wildrye increase on droughtier coarse textured soils. In areas with late winter snow drifts, understory shrubs such as snowberry, rose and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) increase. Associated riparian and seep areas are dominated by an aspen riparian site. Basin wildrye dominates associated swale sites.
Quaking Aspen Dynamics:
Quaking aspen occurs on this site as the dominant plant species in a stable plant community. The aspen community is multi aged with trees in various stages of development well represented. Reference phases are shrub/grass stand initiation, sapling-pole, mature aspen and decadent aspen.
Individual aspen are short-lived and rarely survive for more than 150 years. Aspen, however, are noted for their ability to regenerate vegetatively by suckers arising along their long lateral roots. Root sprouting results in many genetically identical trees (ramets), in aggregate called a “clone”. All the trees in a clone have identical characteristics and share a common root structure, however, a stand can be made up of several clones.
When aspen trees die or light becomes available in aspen openings, chemical signals from the tree to the root stimulate new sprouts to start growing. Through this cycle of regrowth, an aspen clone can lives much longer than an individual tree. Aspen clone survival can be hundreds of years old (5,000 to 10,000 year old clone ages have been estimated in some areas).
Aspen trees are dioecious, with male and female flowers normally borne on separate trees. Sexual reproduction may occur, yet in comparison to vegetative reproduction, reproduction by seed is less commonly observed in the Western US except following fire on adequately moist seedbeds. Few aspen seedlings survive in nature due to the short time seed is viable, lack of moisture during seed dispersal, poor seedbed conditions, fungi and adverse day and night temperatures.
Historically, periodic disturbance events have been important to the maintenance of healthy aspen stands. These include drought, windthrow, wildfire, insect outbreaks, and disease (e.g. stem cankers and root pathogens), that would remove portions of the stand, with advanced ramet age increasing the likelihood of damage from some disturbance agents.
Wildfire has been an important disturbance in these aspen stands historically, stimulating vegetative reproduction, promoting stand heterogeneity and controlling the invasion of coniferous species. While the high fuel moisture content of aspen stands may render them somewhat resistant to fires for much of the year, fire frequency and intensity is influenced by the surrounding vegetation matrix within which the stand is found. For this site, surrounding vegetation types often include mountain big sagebrush, dry ponderosa pine woodlands and dry mixed conifer forests, all of which would have historically been subject to frequent low to replacement severity fires (Landfire fire regime groups 1 and 2, Landfire 2007). Without fire, coniferous species, particularly Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) on this site, readily invades and can dominate this site over time, outcompeting the less shade tolerant aspen for light and depleting soil moisture. Research has demonstrated that juniper expansion into similar sites in southeast Oregon has been widespread, coinciding with the suppression of fire in these areas beginning around the turn of the 20th century, in addition to associated grazing and climate factors (Wall et al. 2001).
Aspen provides quality browse for many ungulates including deer, elk and cattle. Excessive grazing can have profoundly detrimental effects on aspen regeneration and stand viability by suppressing regenerating saplings (among other impacts). Unlike other sites providing important forage for ungulates in the region, aspen stands may be as impacted by high wildlife densities (such as elk) as by high numbers of cattle. If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing by livestock, deer, and elk, a decline in aspen reproduction and composition of Idaho fescue, basin wildrye, elk sedge and palatable forbs occurs. Advanced decline in stand health is most commonly seen as a complete cessation of aspen recruitment resulting in an even-aged stand of damaged and disease affected decadent aspen. The understory is severely affected with the replacement of Idaho fescue, basin wildrye and elk sedge by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), blue wildrye, mountain brome and low palatable forbs such as false hellebore (Veratrum viride), lupines (Lupinus spp.) and asters (Aster spp.). Snowberry, currants and other palatable shrubs decrease. With continued heavy use bare ground increases, erosion accelerates and site productivity decreases. Under prolonged heavy ungulate use aspen clone reproduction is eliminated and stands slowly become decadent, potentially transitioning the site to a shrub or juniper dominated community.
Severe drought events have been linked to episodes of widespread aspen mortality in North America and these types of events are expected to increase under a changing climate (Worrall et al. 2012). While the potential impacts of climate change and severe drought on this site are unknown, aspen stands in other marginal habitats in Oregon have demonstrated physiological sensitivity to drought related climate parameters (Neary et al. 2021) and it is possibly that interactions of changing climate with other stressors will render stands in the region more vulnerable to decline (Dwire et al. 2018).State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
T1A - Invasion of the site by non-native plant species T2A - Time and lack of wildfire R3A - Mechanical removal of conifers, prescribed fire, ungulate exclosure fencing State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1B - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event 1.1A - Extended time elapses in the absence of widespread disturbance 1.2A - Extended time elapses in the absence of widespread disturbance 1.3A - Extended time elapses in the absence of widespread disturbance 1.3B - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event 1.4A - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1B - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event 2.1A - Extended time without widespread disturbance 2.2A - Extended time without widespread disturbance 2.3A - Extended time without widespread disturbance 2.3B - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event 2.4B - Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event State 1
Historic ReferenceThis state represents the pristine historical reference conditions with no exotic species present. Healthy aspen stands are on this site type are heterogeneous with vigorous trees in all natural life stages from young saplings to mature. Stands will cycle through several development phases from shrub/grass communities through mature stands, with many phases often occurring on a single site. These dynamics are driven by an intact historical disturbance regime with periodic events helping to reduce conifer invasion, remove diseased and decadent mature trees and stimulate reproduction. The resilience and resistance of the site is bolstered by positive feedbacks between aspen production and the formation of deep, mollic epipedons with high organic matter, nutrient content and water holding capacity; and negative feedbacks between stand maturity and disturbance frequency/magnitude.
Dominant plant species
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quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
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mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus), shrub
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currant (Ribes), shrub
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basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), grass
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Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
Community 1.1
Reference Plant Community: Mature Forest PhaseThe reference native plant community is dominated by a multi age stand of quaking aspen. Understory regeneration of aspen will slow as canopy closure progresses, yet periodic disturbance will remove mature aspen, create gaps and allow for localized pulses of regeneration to occur. Mountain snowberry and wax currant are prevalent in the understory. Idaho fescue, basin wildrye, blue wildrye, rose and a variety of forbs are common. Mountain big sagebrush, mountain brome, bluebunch wheatgrass, elk sedge and pinegrass are present. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 25 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 70 percent shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover is 80 to 120 percent (basal and crown).
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Tree 800 1200 1600 Shrub/Vine 600 900 1200 Grass/Grasslike 500 750 1000 Forb 100 150 200 Total 2000 3000 4000 Community 1.2
Shrub/Grass - Stand Initiation PhaseIn this phase, the stand is dominated by herbaceous species and sprouting shrubs. Young sapling aspen may be regenerating, conifers are absent. High populations of native ungulates such as deer and elk and subsequent heavy browsing of regenerating aspen, may maintain the site in this phase. Additionally, frequent fire intervals driven by abnormal climate conditions may maintain the site in this phase.
Community 1.3
Young Forest Community PhaseIn this phase the stand is dominated by regenerating and recruiting aspen from sapling to pole size. Initial closed conditions and very high, uniform stem densities will give way to open stand conditions, lower stem densities and multi-layered stand structure as self-thinning, overstory recruitment and further regeneration takes place. Shrub and grass composition will decrease relative to community 1.2. Some conifers may be present at low levels.
Community 1.4
Overmature, Decadent PhaseIn this phase the stand is dominated by large, mature aspen with a relatively even stand structure. Closed canopy conditions decrease understory diversity and favor shade tolerant grasses, forbs and shrubs. Understory aspen regeneration is uncommon due to lack of light at lower heights but may occur in localized patches as decadent overstory trees succumb to various disturbance agents. Conifers may be increasing in this state and the site risks a transition to a conifer dominated state with a prolonged lack of large scale disturbance.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.4Extended time elapses in the absence of disturbance allowing the forest to become over mature and conifer expansion to occur.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.3Extended time without widespread disturbance.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1Extended time without widespread disturbance.
Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
State 2
Current PotentialThis state is similar to the historical reference state yet with the introduction of non-native plant species and an increased presence of western juniper. Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most common and persistent invading herbaceous plants with others including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), and St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) also common. Ecological process and function have not been altered fundamentally by this low level of invasion, yet resistance and resilience to disturbance are decreased. Vegetated communities include all historical functional and structural groups, yet composition and richness may be reduced. This state is common due to widespread invasion of Kentucky bluegrass and expansion of western juniper in the Western US.
Dominant plant species
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quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
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mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus), shrub
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currant (Ribes), shrub
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basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), grass
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Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
Community 2.1
Current Potential Mature Forest CommunityThe reference native plant community is dominated by a multi age stand of quaking aspen. Understory regeneration of aspen will slow as canopy closure progresses, yet periodic disturbance will remove mature aspen, create gaps and allow for localized pulses of regeneration to occur. Kentucky bluegrass (and potentially other exotic species) is a common associate with herbaceous plants listed in the reference plant community.
Community 2.2
Current Potential Shrub/Grass - Stand Initiation PhaseIn this phase, the stand is dominated by herbaceous species and sprouting shrubs, Kentucky bluegrass (and potentially other exotic species) is common. Young sapling aspen may be regenerating from root suckers or seed given favorable conditions, seedling conifers may be present in low numbers. High populations of native ungulates such as deer and elk and subsequent heavy browsing of regenerating aspen, may maintain the site in this phase. Additionally, frequent fire intervals driven by abnormal climate conditions or adjacency with rangelands dominated by invasive annual grasses may maintain the site in this phase.
Community 2.3
Current Potential Young Forest Community PhaseIn this phase the stand is dominated by regenerating and recruiting aspen from sapling to pole size. Initial closed conditions and very high, uniform stem densities will give way to open stand conditions, lower stem densities and multi-layered stand structure as self-thinning, overstory recruitment and further regeneration takes place. Shrub and grass composition will decrease relative to community 1.2, exotic species are likely present. Conifers may be present at moderate density.
Community 2.4
Current Potential Overmature, Decadent PhaseIn this phase the stand is dominated by large, mature aspen with a relatively even stand structure. Closed canopy conditions decrease understory diversity and favor shade tolerant grasses, forbs and shrubs, with exotic species present. Understory aspen regeneration is uncommon due to lack of light at lower heights but may occur in localized patches as decadent overstory trees succumb to various disturbance agents. Conifers may be increasing in this state toward codominance with mature aspen and the site risks a transition to a conifer dominated state with a prolonged lack of large scale disturbance.
Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.4Extended time elapses in the absence of disturbance allowing the forest to become over mature and conifer expansion to occur.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.3Extended time without widespread disturbance.
Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1Extended time without widespread disturbance.
Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
Pathway 2.4B
Community 2.4 to 2.2Large scale disturbance such as fungal disease, insect outbreak, high severity wildfire or extreme drought event leads to mortality of aspen trees.
State 3
Conifer DominatedIn this state, conifer succession has advanced to overtop aspen and outcompete the species for light and soil moisture. On this site, western juniper is the most likely conifer invader, yet ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), or Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) may also encroach on favorable sites. Over mature, decadent aspen may still be present and aspen reproduction may occur in patches with adequate light and moisture. However, feedbacks have been altered and aspen will likely not successfully compete with conifers to regenerate successfully, recruit into the overstory, and regain forest structure without management interventions or altered disturbance regimes. Impacts and emerging feedbacks may include alterations to soil chemistry, changes in hydrologic cycling (including increased sublimation and translocation of snowfall by conifers), and persistent increases in understory shading favoring more shade tolerant conifer reproduction (Wall et al. 2001, LaMalfa and Ryle 2008). Heavy herbivory of sapling aspen, and/or low intensity fire that leaves more fire resistant conifers intact may further accelerate the loss of aspen to conifers. Several community phases may occur within this state with the common thread of conifer dominance.
Dominant plant species
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western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
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Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), tree
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Invasion of the site by non-native plant species
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Time and lack of wildfire allows juniper to overtop and outcompete aspen for light and moisture. Shade intolerant aspen die off and regeneration is dramatically decreased due to closed canopy conditions. On some sites ponderosa pine and/or Douglas fir may encroach and facilitate a similar dynamic in the absence of fire.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2Mechanical removal of conifers may release understory aspen from canopy shading. Prescribed fire may also be used to remove conifers and stimulate aspen regeneration. However, under circumstances where advanced decline has led to an absence of aspen regeneration, the use of prescribed fire may actually lead to further damage to the clone and may accelerate complete clone mortality. Depending on the degree of encroachment and aspen loss, these interventions may transition the site to any one of the current potential community phases. Under conditions of high native ungulate or livestock use of the stand, management actions such as fencing or jackstrawing may need to follow conifer removal to allow aspen regeneration to occur unimpeded.
Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant, moderate rooted bunchgrass 150–300 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 150–300 – 4 Sub-dominant moderate to deep rooted bunchgrasses 120–400 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 60–250 – blue wildrye ELGL Elymus glaucus 60–150 – 5 Common perennial grasses & grass-like 60–700 mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 60–150 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 0–150 – pinegrass CARU Calamagrostis rubescens 0–150 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata 0–150 – needlegrass ACHNA Achnatherum 0–120 – 6 Other perennial grasses 60–150 field horsetail EQAR Equisetum arvense 10–40 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 10–30 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 10–30 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 10–30 – Forb7 Common perennial forbs 50–100 tall ragwort SESE2 Senecio serra 20–40 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 10–30 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 10–20 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 10–20 – cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 5–10 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 5–10 – sticky purple geranium GEVI2 Geranium viscosissimum 5–10 – 9 Other perennial forbs 30–70 sweetroot OSMOR Osmorhiza 5–10 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 5–10 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 0–5 – aster ASTER Aster 2–5 – fleabane ERIGE2 Erigeron 2–5 – stoneseed LITHO3 Lithospermum 2–5 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–4 – tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 2–4 – buttercup RANUN Ranunculus 2–4 – tall bluebells MEPA Mertensia paniculata 2–4 – ballhead waterleaf HYCA4 Hydrophyllum capitatum 2–4 – bedstraw GALIU Galium 0–3 – woodland-star LITHO2 Lithophragma 1–2 – Shrub/Vine10 Sub-dominant, deciduous, sprouting shruba 100–300 mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 150–300 – common snowberry SYAL Symphoricarpos albus 0–150 – 11 Sub-dominant, evergreen, non-sprouting shrubs 0–150 basin big sagebrush ARTRT Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 0–150 – mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 0–150 – 12 Common, deciduous, sprouting shrubs 200–700 chokecherry PRVI Prunus virginiana 50–400 – golden currant RIAU Ribes aureum 40–150 – wax currant RICE Ribes cereum 50–150 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 40–100 – 14 Other shrubs 60–300 Scouler's willow SASC Salix scouleriana 30–60 – bitter cherry PREM Prunus emarginata 0–50 – Saskatoon serviceberry AMAL2 Amelanchier alnifolia 0–50 – yellow willow SALU2 Salix lutea 0–50 – elderberry SAMBU Sambucus 20–50 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 0–40 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 10–30 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 5–10 – Tree18 Dominant, deciduous, sprouting tree 1200–1500 quaking aspen POTR5 Populus tremuloides 1200–1500 – 20 Other evergreen trees 0–150 ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 0–150 – Douglas-fir PSME Pseudotsuga menziesii 0–100 – Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 2.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing use in the summer, and early fall under a prescribed grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to prevent trampling damage and soil compaction. Grazing management should be keyed to aspen regeneration, Idaho fescue, basin wildrye, elk sedge and blue wildrye. Utilization levels on aspen regeneration should be no more than one-third of the current year’s annual growth. Use levels on Idaho fescue, basin wildrye, elk sedge and blue wildrye should be no more than 50 percent of the current year’s growth. These species can be severely damaged if heavily grazed during periods of flowering and seed formation before root reserves have accumulated and soil moisture is low. Deferred grazing or rest is recommended at least once every three years.
Wildlife:
Wildlife habitat diversity in a healthy aspen stand is very high. The natural heterogeneity of the aspen stand with various stages of development provides excellent habitat. Aspen stands provide important habitat for cavity nesting birds. The extent of the stand, health and age class present will limit the population of deer, elk, birds and other wildlife that can exist on the site. Excess ungulate use can severely impact the quality of the habitat and life of the stand. Uses such as roads and intense recreation use directly impacts habitat quality.
Mule deer and elk respond most favorably to the early reproductive stages because of the quantity, quality, and diversity of plants present. Excellent summer and fall forage as well as rearing areas is provided by these stages. Mature stages provide excellent hiding and thermal cover. Grouse, migratory birds, woodpeckers and other birds make good use of edges and the intermediate and older stages for food, nesting and rearing.
Aspen woodland is one of the strategy habitats in the “Oregon Conservation Strategy”. The limiting factors in aspen woodland are altered habitat and juniper encroachment, lack of reproduction, degraded understories, fragmentation and mapping limitations (small patches- connectivity). Oregon Conservation Strategy is an action plan for the long term conservation of Oregon’s native fish and wildlife and their habitats.Hydrological functions
The soils of this site are in an upland topographic position. They have moderate runoff potential and medium infiltration rates when the hydrologic cover is good. With a reduction of ground cover and loss of deep rooted perennials accelerated erosion occurs. Incision of adjoining channels accelerates erosion and lowers the water table. The acceleration of erosion continues with decreasing ground cover. Hydrologic cover is good when deep rooted perennial herbaceous and shrub cover is greater than 70 percent of potential.
When adjoining incised channels are present, rehabilitation will markedly improve production, reduce downstream sedimentation, and restore good hydrologic characteristics. On altered sites, the reintroduction of deep rooted perennials may be needed to fully restore the site potential.Recreational uses
This site has high aesthetic values. It provides opportunities for recreational hunting and limited camping activities. As a critical wildlife area, camping, roads and other uses should be limited.
Wood products
As a key wildlife area, the site should be carefully managed with little potential for wood fiber production.
Other information
Threatened And Endangered Plants And Animals:
This site contains unique rare plant communities and animal habitat. On site investigation is required for the determination of sensitive and T&E species.
Juniper Invasion and Control:
Juniper if present will readily invade aspen stands in the absence of fire. It can replace aspen to become the dominant overstory species. Increases in western juniper and the subsequent competition for moisture and shading will lead to reduced ground cover and available forage. Overgrazing can accelerate this trend, reducing available forage and accelerating soil loss.
Juniper control measures include cutting and/or prescribed burning followed by prescribed grazing. A prescribed grazing system including periodic rest will improve the vigor, density and reproduction of aspen along with understory sedges and palatable perennial bunchgrasses. Re-seeding preferred perennial grasses may be a necessary component of this program if original palatable bunchgrasses and sedges are absent.
Fire Response & Prescribed Burns:
Fire is an important natural component of the site. Benefits include the control of invading juniper, promotion of natural aspen succession, improved habitat diversity, maintenance of vigorous palatable grass and forb understories and the creation of openings for aspen sapling regeneration. In the absence of natural fire, mechanical treatments and/or prescribed burns may help promote healthy and diverse aspen stands.
Understanding aspen response to fire is essential in determining the effects of wildfire and in developing a prescribed burn plan. Unlike conifers, aspen stands do not readily burn due to moist green leaves and thick twigs. Conifers are subject to a longer open window seasonal burn period due to higher terpene contents and a longer dry needle and twig period. Although aspen do not burn readily, when burned they are extremely sensitive to fire. Following a burn, sucker development is stimulated. A fire intense enough to kill aspen overstories will stimulate abundant suckering. However, evidence suggests that burning in severely weakened clones (where root systems have little available carbohydrate reserves) may accelerate decline or succession to conifers (Swanson et al. 2010). This may be especially true in stands experiencing advanced conifer encroachment where pre-fire aspen density and regeneration is very low and large conifers are resistant to all but high severity fire.
Fall burns are recommended if the management objective is to stimulate greater aspen suckering and eliminate western juniper with minimal cutting. A spring burn is recommended if the objective is to maintain shrub and herbaceous cover and moderately stimulate aspen suckering. With a spring burn follow-up management may be needed to remove juniper that are missed in initial treatments. Prescribed grazing to insure healthy stands is an important component with all treatment alternatives.Supporting information
References
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NatureServe. 2018 (Date accessed). NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org.. http://explorer.natureserve.org.
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USGS. 2009 (Date accessed). Landfire National Vegetation Dynamics Models. http://www.LANDFIRE.gov/index.php.
Other references
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2013). Climate change 2013. In The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
LaMalfa, E. M., & Ryle, R. (2008). Differential snowpack accumulation and water dynamics in aspen and conifer communities: Implications for water yield and ecosystem function. Ecosystems, 11(4), 569–581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-008-9143-2
Neary, Andrew, Mata-González, Ricardo & Schmalz, Heidi. (2021). Topographic, edaphic and climate influences on aspen (Populus tremuloides) drought stress on an intermountain bunchgrass prairie. Forest Ecology and Management. 479. 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118530.
Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, P. Novak-Echenique, A. Wartgow, A. Badertscher, K. O’Neill. (2019). Great Basin Ecological Site Development Project: State-and-Transition Models for Major Land Resource Area 23, Nevada and Portions of California. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2019-01. 605 p.
Swanson, D. K., Schmitt, C. L., Shirley, D. M., Erickson, V., Schuetz, K. J., Tatum, M. L., & Powell, D. C. (2010). Aspen Biology, Community Classification and Management in the Blue Mountains. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-806. Portland, OR: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, May, 117.
Wall, T. G., Miller, R. F., & Svejcar, T. J. (2001). Juniper encroachment into aspen in the northwest Great Basin. Journal of Range Management, 54(6), 691–698. https://doi.org/10.2307/4003673
Worrall, J. J., Rehfeldt, G. E., Hamann, A., Hogg, E. H., Marchetti, S. B., Michaelian, M., & Gray, L. K. (2013). Recent declines of Populus tremuloides in North America linked to climate. Forest Ecology and Management, 299, 35–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.12.033Contributors
T.Bloomer, E.Petersen, A. Bahn
2020 Update: Andrew NearyApproval
Kirt Walstad, 4/01/2025
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 02/14/2025 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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