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Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Pinus contorta
(2) Abies magnificaShrub (1) Arctostaphylos nevadensis
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale
(2) Carex rossiiPhysiographic features
This plant community typically occurs on high elevation mountains on middle to upper sideslopes and ridge tops. This site occurs on all aspects but is most common on southeast and southwest-facing slopes. These forest sites characteristically lie above 8,000 feet. Slopes range from 8 to 50 percent but are typically 15 to 50 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Elevation 7500 – 9000 ft Slope 8 – 50 % Aspect SE, SW Climatic features
The climate is subhumid-continental with cold, moist winters and cool, dry summers. The mean annual precipitation is 30 to 55 inches, mean annual temperature is 36 to 39 degrees F., and the frost-free period is 30 to 60 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 60 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 60 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are deep to very deep and excessively drained to somewhat excessively drained. They are formed in colluvium and residuum derived from granitic rock. The soils typically have an ochric epipedon. Runoff is low to medium and permeability is rapid. Available water holding capacity is very low. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the temperature regime is cryic. The soils are moist in the fall, winter, and spring, and dry from July through early October. Soil series associated with this site are Dagget and Sofgran.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Extremely stony loamy coarse sand
(2) Very gravelly coarse sand
(3) Very bouldery loamy coarse sand
Family particle size (1) Sandy
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Rapid Soil depth 40 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 20 – 25 % Surface fragment cover >3" 9 – 35 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.7 – 2 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)4.5 – 5.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)13 – 40 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 29 % Ecological dynamics
Major Successional Stages of Woodland Development:
HERBACEOUS: Vegetation is dominated by grasses and forbs under full sunlight. This stage is experienced for a short period after major disturbance such as crown fire or tree harvest. Skeleton forest (dead trees) remaining after fire or residual trees left following harvest have little or no affect on the composition and production of the herbaceous vegetation.
SHRUB-HERBACEOUS: Herbaceous vegetation and woody shrubs dominate the site. This stage is experienced within two to three years after fire or harvest. Various amounts of tree seedlings (less than 20 inches in height) may be present up to the point where they are obviously a major component of the vegetal structure.
SAPLING: In the absence of disturbance the tree seedlings develop into saplings (20 inches to 4.5 feet in height) with a range in canopy cover of about 5 to 10 percent. Vegetation consists of grasses, forbs and shrubs in association with tree saplings. Understory shrubs dominate the plant community.
IMMATURE FOREST: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by lodgepole pine greater than 4.5 feet in height. At this stage of forest development, the tree canopy has successfully broken through the suppression of early successional shrub communities. The young trees are still very susceptible to fire at this stage. The upper crown of dominant and co-dominant lodgepole pine are cone or pyramidal shaped. Seedlings and saplings of pines are common in the understory. Red fir saplings are common in the understory. Dominants are the tallest trees on the site; co-dominants are 65 to 85 percent of the highest of dominant trees. Understory vegetation is moderately influenced by a tree overstory canopy of about 10 to 20 percent.
MATURE FOREST: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by lodgepole pine and red fir that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to about 40 percent. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this forest site in the pristine environment.
OVER-MATURE FOREST: This stage is dominated by red fir and lodgepole pine that have reached maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover is commonly greater than 45 percent.
Fire Ecology:
Fire has an important role in Sierra Nevada conifer forests, particularly in the successional relationship between California red fir and lodgepole pine. Fire-return intervals in Sierra lodgepole pine forests vary. On the eastern slope where
drier conditions prevail, such fires may occur at intervals of less than 20 years. Stand-replacing fires are related to insect attacks, particulary by pine mountain beetle, and declining vigor and high fuel loading in older stands. When fires occur in Sierra lodgepole stands, they are usually intense and extensive.
Fire creates canopy openings by killing mature lodgepole pine and some mature California red fir. Where lodgepole pine occurs under a California red fir canopy, it is eventually succeeded by California red fir.
Sierra lodgepole pine is usually killed by fire because of its shallow root system and thin bark. Seedlings of California red fir are easily killed by fire. Seedlings and saplings are killed by relatively low-intensity fires, but few older California red fir are affected. Larger California red fir are killed by severe fires.
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
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant Community
The reference plant community is characterized as a fairly dense stand of lodgepole pine and red fir. Western white pine and mountain hemlock may occur in the overstory. The understory is dominated by pinemat manzanita. Ross' sedge and western needlegrass are the most prevalent understory grass and grass-like plants. Lupine, rockcress, coyote mint, phlox, and buckwheat are common understory forbs.
Overstory tree canopy composition is about 80 to 85 percent lodgepole pine with up to 15 percent red fir and 5 percent mountain hemlock and western white pine.
Forest overstory.The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by lodgepole pine and red fir that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to about 40 percent. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this forest site in the pristine environment.
Forest understory. Understory vegetative composition (air-dry weight) is about 25 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 20 percent forbs and 55 percent shrubs and young trees when the average overstory canopy is medium (25 to 40 percent). Average understory production ranges from 350 to 500 pounds per acre with a medium canopy cover. Understory production includes the total annual production of all species within 4.5 feet of the ground surface.<br />
Figure 3. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 122 148 175 Grass/Grasslike 88 106 125 Forb 70 85 100 Tree 52 64 75 Total 332 403 475 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses/Grasslikes 42–76 western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 21–38 – Ross' sedge CARO5 Carex rossii 21–38 – 2 Secondary Perennnial Grasses 4–21 bluegrass POA Poa 4–21 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 54–139 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 21–38 – mountain monardella MOOD Monardella odoratissima 21–38 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 4–21 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 4–21 – rockcress ARABI2 Arabis 4–21 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 43–102 pinemat manzanita ARNE Arctostaphylos nevadensis 43–102 – Tree5 Trees 50–122 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 50–100 – California red fir ABMA Abies magnifica 21–38 – lodgepole pine PICO Pinus contorta 21–38 – western white pine PIMO3 Pinus monticola 4–21 – mountain hemlock TSME Tsuga mertensiana 0–4 – Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations:
This site is used for food and shelter by squirrels, birds, mule deer, bear, bobcat, and mountain lions. This forest site provides food and shelter for squirrels, birds, deer, bear, bobcats, and mountain lions. Dead or dying trees provide nesting sites for cavity-nesting birds and mammals. The fallen branches from these trees provide ground nesting birds and mammals valuable habitat. Blue grouse feed on Sierra lodgepole pine needles during the winter. The seeds are a food source for squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and mice.
Livestock Interpretations:
This site has limited use for livestock grazing due to low forage production under a closed canopy. When livestock use occurs, it is primarily the result of grazing animals transiting this site to access more production plant communities.Hydrological functions
The hydrology of this site is characterized by heavy snowmelt in the spring, with very little precipitation in the summer months. Runoff is low to very low and permeability is rapid.
Recreational uses
This ecological site can be used for hiking throughout or biking and cross country skiing on nearby roads.
Wood products
Low quality site for tree production. Site index for lodgepole pine ranges from about 60 to 75. (Table 25, SCS, 190-V-NFM Amend.3; from Dahms, 1964. USDA FS PNW Res. Paper No.8). Site index for red fir ranges from about 27 to 31. (Table 23, SCS, 190-V-NFM Amend.3; from Schumacher, 1928. Calif. Ag. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 456).
Productivity Class (Lodgeppole Pine): 4
Productivity Class (Red Fir): 7
CMAI* (Lodgepole Pine): <51 to 64 cu ft/ac/yr;
<3.6 to 4.5 cu m/ha/yr.
CMAI* (Red Fir): <96 to 107 cu ft/ac/yr;
<6.7 to 7.5 cu m/ha/yr.
*CMAI: is the culmination of mean annual increment highest average growth rate of the stand in the units specified.
Basal Area (Lodgepole Pine): 150 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=14" and average age 71 years (AB8).
Basal Area (Red Fir): 150 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=26" and average age 162 years (AB8).
Basal Area (Lodgepole Pine): 216 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=16" and average age 83 years (AB97).
Basal Area (Red Fir): 216 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=18" and average age 100 years (AB97).
B. MANAGEMENT GUIDES AND INTERPRETATIONS
1. LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
a. Significant restrictions or limitations for forest land use or management due to shallow soil depth.
2. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Protect soils from accelerated erosion.
b. Apply proper grazing management.
3. SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
a. Harvest cut selectively or in small patches (size dependent upon site conditions) to enhance forage production.
1) Thinning and improvement cutting - Removal of poorly formed, diseased and low vigor trees for fuelwood.
2) Harvest cutting - Selectively harvest surplus trees to achieve desired spacing. Do not select only "high grade" trees for harvest.
3) Slash disposal - broadcasting slash improves reestablishment of native understory species and establishment of seeded grasses and forbs after tree harvest.
b. Prescription burning program to maintain desired canopy cover and manage site reproduction.
c. Mechanical tree removal on suitable sites to enhance forage production and manage site reproduction.
d. Pest control-porcupines can cause extensive damage and populations should be controlled.
e. Fire hazard - Fire usually not a problem in well-managed, mature stands.
Other products
California red fir is used for Christmas trees.
Other information
Throughout the Sierra Nevada, lodgepole pine is periodically attacked by the lodgepole pine needle miner. This insect infestation does occasionally become epidemic and it has killed large numbers of trees.
Fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietinum ssp. magnificae) causes a significant amount of damage and occurs throughout the range of
California red fir.Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Alpine County, CA Township/Range/Section T11N R19E S7 Latitude 38° 50′ 3″ Longitude 119° 53′ 24″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, about 0.3 miles southeast of Horse Meadow. Other references
Dahms, W. G. 1964. Data from Grass and Net Yield Tables for Lodgepole Pine. USDA FS PNW No. 8.
Fire Effects Information System [Online], http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis
Lanner, Ronald M. 1984. Trees of the Great Basin, A Natural History. University of Nevada Press, Reno, NV.
Plants Database [Online], http://www.plants.usda.gov
USDA-NRCS. 1980. National Forestry Manual - Part 537. Washington, D.C.
Potter, D. A. 1998. Forested Communities of the Upper Montane in the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada. USDA FA PSW GTR 169.
Schumacher, F. X. 1928. Normal Yeld Tables for Red Fir. Calif. Ag. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 456).
Contributors
ALC/GKB
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 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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