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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) Abies concolor
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum lettermanii
(2) PoaPhysiographic features
This forest site occurs on mountain sideslopes and fan remnants on all aspects. Slopes range from 8 to 75 percent, but slopes are generally 15 to 50 percent. Elevations range from 5500 feet to over 8000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
(2) Fan remnant
Elevation 5500 – 8000 ft Slope 8 – 75 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is subhumid-continental with cold, moist winters and cool, dry summers. The mean annual precipitation is 20 to 30 inches, mean annual temperature is 39 to 45 degrees F., and the frost-free period is 40 to 70 days. Climate data used to support this section were derived from PRISM and is not specifically tied to any dominant climate station.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 70 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 30 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 very deep, moderately well drained or well drained soils that formed in colluvium and residuum derived from tuff, tuff-breccia, andesite or granitic rocks. Rock fragments in the profile average 35 to 80 percent. Lithology of fragments are volcanic rocks such as tuff, tuff-breccia, and andesite, with lesser amounts of granitic rocks.
The soils are usually moist in the moisture control section during late fall, winter, and spring; and dry from mid-July through September for 60 to 80 consecutive days in the four months following the summer solstice. Soil series associated with this site include Joecut and Wolfcut.
CA729 Toiyabe National Forest Area, California
320;Franktown-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes;Ultic Haploxerolls
340;Aspocket association;Joecut
350;Leroman-Chenhigh-Celeridge association;Joecut
370;Celeridge-Gerdog-Loope association;Joecut
380;Joecut-Celeridge-Gerdog association;Joecut
381;Joecut-Heenlake association;Joecut
382;Joecut association;Joecut
390;Heenlake-Loope-Chenhigh association;Joecut
400;Pinew-Carshal-Loope association;Joecut
410;Wolfcut very stony loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes;Wolfcut
440;Dogbed-Celeridge-Carshal association;Joecut
450;Carshal-Loope-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 75 percent slopes;Joecut
520;Canfire-Crispy-Rock outcrop association;Joecut
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly loam
(2) Extremely gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to moderately slow Soil depth 60 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 53 % Surface fragment cover >3" 18 – 29 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)4 – 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)5.6 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)18 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 20 % Ecological dynamics
Wildfire is recognized as a natural disturbance that influenced the structure and composition of the climax vegetation of this woodland site.
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 WOODLAND: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by California white fir greater than 4.5 feet in height. At this stage of woodland development, the tree canopy has successfully broken through the suppression of early successional shrub communities. The young pines are still very susceptible to fire at this stage. The upper crown of dominant and co-dominant California white fir are cone or pyramidal shaped. Seedlings and saplings of white fir 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 WOODLAND: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by California white fir that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to 35 percent. Sierra juniper and other shade tolerant tree seedlings/saplings occur in the understory. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this woodland site in the pristine environment.
OVER-MATURE WOODLAND: In the absence of wildfire or other naturally occurring disturbances, the tree canopy on this site can become very dense. This stage is dominated by California white fir that have reached maximal heights for the site. Understory vegetation is sparse due to tree competition, overstory shading, duff accumulation, etc. Few seedlings or saplings of Jeffrey pine are found in the understory. Tree canopy cover is commonly greater than 50 percent.
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 by a forest of White fir with a minor component of Jeffrey pine and Sierra juniper. Mountain big sagebrush, bitterbrush, currant, and snowberry are the principle understory shrubs. Cusick bluegrass, muttongrass, and sedges are the most prevalent grasses on this site. Coyote mint, rockcress, lupine and mule's ear wyethia are common understory forbs. An overstory canopy of 25 to 35 percent is assumed to be representative of tree dominance on this site in the pristine environment. Wildfire is recognized as a natural disturbance that influenced the structure and composition of the climax vegetation of this forest site.
Overstory tree canopy composition is about 75 to 95 percent California white fir with up to 25 percent Jeffrey pine and Sierra juniper.Forest overstory.Ovwerstory tree canopy composition is 75 to 95 percent white fir with up to 25 percent Jeffrey pine and Sierra juniper.<br /> <br /> MATURE WOODLAND: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by California white fir that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to 35 percent. Sierra juniper and other shade tolerant tree seedlings/saplings occur in the understory. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this woodland site in the pristine environment.<br />
Forest understory. Understory vegetative composition is about 50 percent grasses, 15 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs and young trees when the average overstory is medium. Average understory production ranges from 300 to 450 pounds per acre with medium canopy cover.
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)Grass/Grasslike 150 188 225 Shrub/Vine 90 112 135 Forb 45 56 68 Tree 15 19 22 Total 300 375 450 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 57–102 Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 19–34 – California needlegrass ACOCC Achnatherum occidentale ssp. californicum 19–34 – western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 19–34 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 20–95 mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 4–19 – sedge CAREX Carex 4–19 – big squirreltail ELMU3 Elymus multisetus 4–19 – Cusick's bluegrass POCU3 Poa cusickii 4–19 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 4–19 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 20–95 rockcress ARABI2 Arabis 4–19 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 4–19 – mountain monardella MOOD Monardella odoratissima 4–19 – mule-ears WYAM Wyethia amplexicaulis 4–19 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 12–57 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 4–19 – currant RIBES Ribes 4–19 – snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 4–19 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 0–4 snowbrush ceanothus CEVE Ceanothus velutinus 0–4 – Tree6 Trees 12–57 Jeffrey pine PIJE Pinus jeffreyi 4–19 – Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations:
White fir provide shelter and food for many mammals and birds. Squirrels, grouse, porcupines and deer depend on white fir for food. Many species of birds nest and build cavities in these trees.
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited to cattle and sheep grazing where terrain permits. Grazing management should be keyed to Letterman's and western needlegrass production. Letterman's and western needlegrass provide palatable, nutritious feed during the late spring and early summer. New plants of these grasses are established entirely from seed and grazing practices should allow for ample seed production and seedling establishment. Many areas are not used because of steep slopes or lack of adequate water.
Hydrological functions
Runoff is medium to very high and permeability is moderately slow to moderately rapid.
Recreational uses
This site has potential for camping, hiking, big game hunting and nature study.
Wood products
This site has low quality site for tree production.
Site index for California white fir ranges from about 30 to 40 (Table 25, SCS, 190-V-NFM Amend.3; from Schumacher, 1926. Calif. Ag. Ext. Sta. Bull. No. 407).
Productivity Class: 4
CMAI*: <51 to 64 cu ft/ac/yr;
<3.6 to 4.5 cu m/ha/yr.
Basal Area (California white fir): 180 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=15" and average age 145 years (AB 75).
Basal Area (California white fir): 115 sq. ft./acre with average D.B.H=20" and average age 155 years (AB 72).
White fir is used mainly as a pulp wood.
MANAGEMENT GUIDES AND INTERPRETATIONS:
1. LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
No significant restrictions or limitations for forest land use or management.
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
White fir is widely used for Christmas trees in the West.
Table 7. Representative site productivity
Common name Symbol Site index low Site index high CMAI low CMAI high Age of CMAI Site index curve code Site index curve basis Citation white fir ABCO 30 40 51 64 – – – Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Alpine County, CA Township/Range/Section T10N R19E S5 Latitude 38° 44′ 46″ Longitude 119° 54′ 47″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, near Pickett Peak. Other references
Fire Effects Information System[Online], http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis
Plants Database [Online], http://www.plants.usda.gov
Contributors
ALM/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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