Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F022AY130NV
Pinus Jeffreyi/ Artemisia Tridentata Ssp. Vaseyana-Purshia
Accessed: 09/15/2026
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Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 022A–Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains
This ESD was developed using older policy requirements which have been improved with the intent of improving ESD products overall. Users should approach these materials with some caution as the content herein, while likely useful for some purposes, was developed within parameters now recognized as needing varying levels of improvement. As always, a site-specific investigation is highly recommended when site-specific management alternatives are to be developed and/or management decisions are to be made.
Each ESD is an interpretation of the ecological relationships between biotic and abiotic aspects of the landscape. Users of this document should be aware of the limitations of this tool to the extent that specific local conditions may not be entirely captured within the ESD. In particular, management decisions should be supported by site-specific inventories, assessments and planning processes based on the best available information including and extending beyond the ESD.
An ESD is not a permanent determination of ecological dynamics. Rather, each ESD is an evolving body of work intrinsically tied to the soil surveys and data associated with soil map unit components of correlated soil-ecological site relationships. As new information becomes available, updates may be made or may be underway at any given time. Minor updates may be made without announcement when such changes do not modify the ecological site concept, the soils correlated or the state-and-transition model.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Pinus jeffreyi
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
(2) Purshia tridentataHerbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This forest site occurs on mountain and middle-to-upper sideslopes and on ridegtops. This site occurs on all aspects but is most common on southerly facing slopes. Slopes range from 8 to 50 percent but 30 to 50 are the most typical. Elevations range from 5500 feet to 9000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Elevation 5500 – 9000 ft Slope 8 – 50 % Aspect SE, S, SW Climatic features
The climate associated with this site is subhumid-continental with cold, moist winters and cool, dry summers. The mean annual precipitation is 20 to 45 inches. The mean annual temperature is 39 to 45 degrees F. 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) 50 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no influences water features associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are shallow to deep and moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained. These soils are formed in till derived from mixed rocks and colluvium derived from granitic rock. The soils are skeletal throughout the profiles and available water capacity is very low to moderate. Reaction is moderately to slightly acidic. The soils are ususally moist in the moisture control section in the fall, winter and spring and usually are dry from July through early October. Soil series correlated to this site include Alpineco, Corbett, Hardtil, Shalgran, and Toiyabe.
CA729 Toiyabe National Forest Area, California
122;Toiyabe-Corbett-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes;Shalgran
131;Sofgran-Temo-Shalgran association;Shalgran
222;Hardtil-Alpineco-Rock outcrop complex, warm, 8 to 30 percent slopes;Hardtil;Alpineco
420;Buggin-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes;Shalgran
491;Cloudburst-Murain-Hardtil association;Hardtil
511;Rock outcrop-Snowtell-Forsell complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes;Hardtil
512;Rock outcrop-Snowtell complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes;Hardtil
810;Corbett-Toiyabe-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes;Corbett;Toiyabe
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loamy coarse sand
(2) Very bouldery coarse sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to rapid Soil depth 10 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 10 – 25 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.8 – 4.3 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)5.1 – 6.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)16 – 29 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 26 % Ecological dynamics
Jeffrey pine occupies many sites from the edges of moist high montane meadows to arid slopes bordering deserts. It generally occurs on the drier or higher elevation sites on soils derived from pumice or granite. Jeffery pine is climax on many of these sites but gradually loses its competitve ability as moisture conditions in the soil and atmosphere become favorable for other species.
Fire Ecology:
Jeffrey pine has been classified as being
moderately resistant to fire. It has a thick, corky bark that withstands high temperatures and has a tall, erect bole free of lower
limbs. The buds develop thick scales able to withstand considerable amounts of heat. Jeffrey pine seedlings have also adapted to
reproducing well on bare mineral soil. Lightning is common in the Sierra Nevada and strongly influences Jeffrey pine through wildfires. Jeffrey pine has adapted to withstand low-severity fires in wellspaced stands. Moderate- to high-severity fires will, however, kill trees pole size and smaller. Mature Jeffrey pines can survive most fires, suffering only bole scorch. These fire effects are intensified with tree density and fuel load. Depending on the season, Jeffrey pine may experience extensive heat-kill of foliage, but may receive only light damage to buds and twigs.
Major Successional Stages of Forest 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 Jeffrey 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 pines are still very susceptible to fire at this stage. The upper crown of dominant and co-dominant Jeffrey pine are cone or pyramidal shaped. Seedlings and saplings of pines 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 Jeffrey pine that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to 35 percent. Although infrequent wildfire is presumed to be a natural factor influencing the understory of these mature woodlands, Jeffrey pine, at this stage of growth, is relatively resistant to cool, slow-burning, wildfires because of its thick, insulating bark. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this site in the pristine environment.
OVER-MATURE FOREST: 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 Jeffrey pine 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 CommunityThe reference plant community is characterized by an overstory canopy cover of 25 to 35 percent. This site is dominated by Jeffrey pine. Although of only minor importance, white fir and Sierra juniper are trees commonly associated with this site. Mountain big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush are the principal understory shrubs. Bluegrass, needlegrasses, and sedge are the major understory grass and grass-like plants. Coyote mint, phlox and buckwheat are common understory forbs.
Forest overstory.Overstory tree canopy composition is about 95 to 100% Jeffrey pine, with up to 5% collectively of Sierra juniper, white fir, and/or lodgepole pine. <br /> <br /> MATURE WOODLAND: The visual aspect and vegetal structure are dominated by Jeffrey pine that have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Tree canopy cover ranges from 25 to 35 percent. Although infrequent wildfire is presumed to be a natural factor influencing the understory of these mature woodlands, Jeffrey pine, at this stage of growth, is relatively resistant to cool, slow-burning, wildfires because of its thick, insulating bark. This stage of community development is assumed to be representative of this site in the pristine environment.<br />
Forest understory. Understory canopy cover is about 50 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 40 percent shrubs and young trees when the average overstory canopy cover is medium. Average understory production ranges from 200 to 400 pounds per acre.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Birds and mammals use Jeffrey pine as a food source. Seeds are eaten by the Clark's nutcracker and other birds. Many small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and voles eat the stems and roots of young Jeffrey pine. During harsh winters or drought, large mammals such as deer will browse on the needles and bark. Young Jeffrey pine seedlings provide ground shelter for small birds and mammals. Older stands serve as windbreaks for larger mammals. Insect-killed trees provide snags and fallen logs which become habitat for nesting birds and cavity dwellers.
Hydrological functions
Runoff is low to very high and permeability is rapid to moderately rapid. Hydrologic Soil Groups are A, B, C, and D.
Recreational uses
Hiking and cross country skiing are the main recreational uses. Some areas are also suitable for camping.
Wood products
Low-grade trees are processed into dimensional lumber and other products for the construction market. High-grade lumber is an important raw material for molding, mill work, cabinets, doors, and windows. Jeffrey pine is also widely used for firewood.
PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY
Low quality site for tree production.
Site index for Jeffrey pine ranges from about <40 to 48. (Table 21, SCS, 190-V-NFM Amend.3; from Meyer, 1938. USDA Tech Bull 630.)
Productivity Class (Jeffrey pine): 2
CMAI*:<30 to 36 cu ft/ac/yr; <2.1 to 2.5 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: Range- 50 to 250 (Ave. 55) sq. ft./acre.(AB129)
Table 6. 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 Jeffrey pine PIJE 40 50 30 38 – – – Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Alpine County, CA Latitude 38° 50′ 44″ Longitude 119° 54′ 25″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest. Other references
Fire Effects Information System[Online], http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis
Plants Database [Online], http://www.plants.usda.gov
Lanner, Ronald M. 1984. Trees of the Great Basin, A Natural History. Reno University of Nevada Press.
Meyer, W.H. 1938. Even-aged Stands of Ponderosa Pine. USDA Tech. Bull. 630
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.
Contributors
Angela Mushrush
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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