Pinyon-Juniper (Limestone)

Description

The reference state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. This state is co-dominated by singleleaf pinyon pine and Utah juniper. Primary natural disturbance mechanisms affecting this ecological site are wildfire, drought, disease and insect attack. Interactions between disturbance regimes and weather events determine long term plant community dynamics. Pinyon-juniper habitat is generally arid and species are adapted to receiving limited annual precipitation. Overall, drought related mortality is low in this habitat type. Increased mortality following drought is likely caused by a combination of insect attack and disease (Shaw et al. 2005).

Currently this ecological site is described by a one state model, because additional states have not be identified on the landscape. If in the future additional stable states are found this model will revised to reflect additional states.

Submodel