Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F043AY565ID
Ashy Basalt Hills and Canyons
30-45" PZ Frigid
Eastern Columbia Plateau Embayments
Last updated: 4/11/2025
Accessed: 04/21/2026
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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): 043A–Northern Rocky Mountains
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 043A–Northern Rocky Mountains
Description of MLRAs can be found in: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
Available electronically at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_053624#handbookLRU notes
Most commonly found in LRU 43A07 (Eastern Columbia Plateau Embayments). Also found in adjacent areas of 43A08 (Clearwater Canyons). Climate parameters were obtained from PRISM and other models for the area. Landscape descriptors are derived from USGS DEM products and their derivatives.
Classification relationships
Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
United States National Vegetation Classification (2008) – A3362 Grand fir – Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mt. Forest and Woodland Alliance.
Washington Natural Heritage Program. Ecosystems of Washington State, A Guide to Identification, Rocchio and Crawford, 2015 –
Northern Rocky Mt. Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest.
Description of Ecoregions of the United States, USFS PN # 1391, 1995 - M333 Northern Rocky Mt. Forest-Steppe-Coniferous Forest-Alpine Meadow Province
Level III and IV Ecoregions of WA, US EPA, June 2010 -15w Western Selkirk Maritime Forest. 15y Selkirk Mountains. 15u Inland Maritime Foothills and Valleys.
This ecological site includes the following USDA Forest Service Plant Associations: ABGR/ACGLD/CLUN, Forest Plant Associations of the Colville Nat. Forest (Williams et. al. 1995) and ABGR/CLUN (Forest Habitat Types of N. Idaho, A Second Approximation, USFS Revised 1991.Ecological site concept
This ES group is distinguished by an overstory of grand fir and Douglas-fir. Understory shrubs can include Acer glabrum, Linnaea borealis, Menziesia ferruginea, Physocarpus malvaceus, Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, and Vaccinium membranaceum. Herbaceous layers may be graminoid- or forb-dominated and may include Bromus vulgaris, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Clintonia uniflora, Coptis occidentalis, Cornus canadensis, Linnaea borealis, and Trautvetteria caroliniensis.. It occurs on foothills, mountainsides, and canyon walls. These soils have developed in mixed Mazama tephra deposits over colluvium and residuum from basalt. The soils are very deep and have adequate available water capacity to a depth of 40 inches. The soils are well drained. This ES group fits into the National Vegetation Standard’s Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance and Washington State’s Natural Heritage Program’s Northern Rocky Mt. Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Abies grandis
(2) Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glaucaShrub (1) Rosa gymnocarpa
(2) Linnaea borealis ssp. longifloraHerbaceous (1) Clintonia uniflora
(2) Coptis occidentalisPhysiographic features
Physiographic Features
Landscapes: Foothills, Canyonlands, Plateuas
Landform: hillslopes, canyon walls, structural benches, escarpments
Elevation (m): Total range = 500 to 1100 m
(1,525 to 3,355 feet)
Central tendency = 770 to 950 m
(2,525 to 3,115 feet)
Slope (percent): Total range = 0 to 70 percent
Central tendency = 10 to 30 percent
Aspect: Total range: 115-265-65
Central tendency: 195-265-350Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Foothills > Hillslope
(2) Canyonlands > Canyon wall
(3) Plateau > Escarpment
(4) Canyonlands > Structural bench
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2525 – 3115 ft Slope 10 – 30 % Water table depth 80 in Aspect W, NW, N, S, SW Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1525 – 3355 ft Slope 0 – 70 % Water table depth 80 in Climatic features
Climatic Features
Frost-free period (days): Total range = 85 to 145 days
Central tendency = 95 to 115 days
Mean annual precipitation (cm): Total range = 610 to 1080 mm
(24 to 42 inches)
Central tendency = 750 to 885 mm
(30 to 35 inches)
MAAT (C): Total range = 6.4 to 10.2
(44 to 50 F)
Central tendency = 7.8 to 8.8
(46 to 48 F)
Climate Stations: none">Influencing water features
Water Table Depth:<br />
>200 cm <br />
(>80 inches)<br />
<br />
Flooding: <br />
Frequency: None <br />
Duration: None<br />
<br />
Ponding: <br />
Frequency: None <br />
Duration: NoneSoil features
This ecological subsite is associated with several soil series (e.g. Caribel, Campra, Statemeadow, Sly, and Shayhill). The soil components are Vitrandic Hapludalfs, and Ultic Hapludalfs. These soils have developed in mixed Mazama tephra deposits over colluvium and residuum from basalt. The soils are very deep and have adequate available water capacity to a depth of 40 inches. The soils are well drained.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Volcanic ash
(2) Residuum – basalt
(3) Colluvium – basalt
Surface texture (1) Ashy silt loam
(2) Gravelly, ashy silt loam
(3) Silt loam
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Depth to restrictive layer 80 in Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-60in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-60in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-60in)6.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(10-60in)15 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(10-60in)2 % Table 5. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Depth to restrictive layer 80 in Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 0.1 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3.9 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-60in)0 % Electrical conductivity
(0-60in)0 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-60in)5 – 7.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(10-60in)0 – 60 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(10-60in)0 – 40 % Ecological dynamics
Ecological Dynamics of the Site
This grand fir site is on the moister end of the grand fir series and can have many tree species occurring depending on disturbance and seed source. Douglas-fir is the main seral species and will occur in mature stands with grand fir with fire exclusion. Engelmann spruce can also be present in fire excluded mature stands. With stand replacing or mixed severity disturbance Douglas-fir, western larch, ponderosa pine, western white pine, and lodgepole pine can occur in mixed stands. Quaking aspen, paper birch, and black cottonwood can be present in early to mid-seral stands.
Key understory species include Douglas maple, ninebark, oceanspray, serviceberry, snowberry, twinflower, honeysuckle, Oregon grape, rose, thimbleberry, pachistima, Scouler willow, spirea, pinegrass, brides bonnet, pathfinder, sweetroot, starry solomonplume, western princes pine, and white hawkweed.
Root rot and beetle kill will occur in the mature grand fir – Douglas fir stands. Western white pine once would have been more prevalent in the seral to mature stands, however, blister rust has made it a minor component of current stands. Low intensity frequent fires will favor more open western larch, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine stands. Mixed severity fires will create a mosaic of mixed stands of all tree species. Severe fires may create ceanothus brush fields with tree regeneration slow to reclaim the site.State and transition model
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThis state is dependent on fire severity and time intervals of fire. Many tree species will grow on this moist grand fir site. Douglas-fir, western larch, western white pine, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Engelman spruce, and grand fir are the major conifer species. Quaking aspen, paper birch and black cottonwood can also be present. This ecological site has good forest productivity for Douglas-fir, western larch, and ponderosa pine. In N. Idaho western white pine would have good productivity. Low severity frequent fires create open stands of larch, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine. Mixed severity fires create a mosaic of a variety of tree species and different age groups. Tree regeneration after stand replacing fires will be variable depending on seed source. Western larch, western white pine, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine will be the main species. Western white pine used to play a major role in regeneration, however, the white pine blister rust has reduced its occurrence in regenerating stands. Western larch, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine are more prevalent. Reoccurring severe fires in the stand initiation phase can create shrub fields of ceanothus spp., and a variety of other shrubs. Fire exclusion for long periods allow the forest to move to an all aged grand fir, Douglas-fir, and Engelmann spruce stand. Root rot and defoliating insects then becomes are concern in the grand fir and Douglas-fir causing much downed wood and fuel loads.
Characteristics and indicators. Plant List Overstory Trees Douglas-fir (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PSME" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i></a> ) Western Larch (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LAOC" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Larix occidentalis</i></a>) Grand fir (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ABGR" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Abies grandis</i></a>) Understory trees Grand fir (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ABGR" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Abies grandis</i></a>) Understory Shrubs Douglas maple (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ACGL" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Acer glabrum</i></a> Douglasii) Western prince’s pine (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CHUM" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Chimaphila umbellata</i></a>) Serviceberry (Almalachier alinofolia) Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) Snowberry (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SYAL" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Symphoricarpos albus</i></a>) Twinflower (Linnaea borelalis) Pachistima (Pachistima myrsinities) Ninebark (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHMA5" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Physocarpus malvaceus</i></a>) Oceanspray (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HODI" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Holodiscus discolor</i></a>) Shiny leaf spirea (Spirea betulifolia) Big huckleberry (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=VAME" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Vaccinium membranaceum</i></a>) (cooler sites) Scouler willow (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SASC" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Salix scouleriana</i></a>) Utah honeysuckle (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LOUT2" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Lonicera utahensis</i></a>) Mountain ash (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SOSC2" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Sorbus scopulina</i></a>) (cooler sites) Understory Herbs Pathfinder (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ADBI" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Adenocaulon bicolor</i></a>) Sweetroot (Osmorihiza chilensis) Starry solomonplume (Smilacina stellata) Queencup beadlily (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CLUN2" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Clintonia uniflora</i></a>) White hawkweed (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HIAL2" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Hieracium albiflorum</i></a>) Western meadowrue (<a class="species-link" href="https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=THOC" target="_blank" title="Open in plants.usda.gov"><i>Thalictrum occidentale</i></a>)
Dominant plant species
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
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grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
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Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), shrub
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pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), shrub
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Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrub
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hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium), shrub
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common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
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longtube twinflower (Linnaea borealis ssp. longiflora), shrub
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Oregon boxleaf (Paxistima myrsinites), shrub
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mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
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oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
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white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), shrub
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thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), shrub
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Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana), shrub
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common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum), shrub
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Greene's mountain ash (Sorbus scopulina), shrub
Community 1.1
Reference PhaseMixed severity fires create a mosaic of mixed stands of seral species mixed with grand fir. Regeneration could include all the species depending on exposed mineral soil and seed source. Western larch, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and lodgepole pine would be first to regenerate. Western white pine will also be present, but not as prevalent as before due to blister rust. Grand fir will be present, however will come underneath the seral species in time. Quaking aspen can establish after these mixed fires and be a component in the stand. Age: 80+ years
Dominant plant species
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grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
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western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium), shrub
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common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
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longtube twinflower (Linnaea borealis ssp. longiflora), shrub
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Oregon boxleaf (Paxistima myrsinites), shrub
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mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
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oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
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white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), shrub
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thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), shrub
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Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana), shrub
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common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum), shrub
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Greene's mountain ash (Sorbus scopulina), shrub
Community 1.2
Stand InitiationHerbs and shrubs reestablish on site. Ceanothus species can dominate if fire caused soil degradation. Tree regeneration can be mixed or dominated by western larch and lodgepole pine. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir can also be present. White pine was a major factor in regeneration before the blister rust reduced its significance. Age: 0 – 20+ years
Community 1.3
Stem ExclusionDense stands of mixed seral species or dominated be larch or lodgepole pine. Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western white pine, can be in the stand. Age: 100+ years
Dominant plant species
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western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
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lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), tree
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
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western white pine (Pinus monticola), tree
Community 1.4
Frequent Low Intensity FiresFrequent low severity fires create an open stand of mature Douglas-fir, Western larch, ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine.
This condition is perpetuated with continual ground fires. Age: 30 – 70 yearsDominant plant species
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
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lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), tree
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Stand replacing fire back to the herbs and shrub stage. Regeneration dependent on seed source and brush competition.
Key drivers
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Fire
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.3Tree regeneration grows into dense pole stand. Species can be mixed or dominated by larch or lodgepole.
Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.1Mixed severity fires create patchy mosaic as in reference plant community phase
Key drivers
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Fire
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2Stand replacing fire.
Key drivers
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Fire
Pathway 1.3C
Community 1.3 to 1.4Frequent low severity fires create open pole stands.
Key drivers
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Fire
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Fire frequency
Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.1Fire interval lengthens, and tree regeneration becomes established. Mixed severity fires create patchy mosaic of seral species and grand fir.
Key drivers
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Fire frequency
State 2
Fire ExclusionAn all aged stand of grand fir and Douglas-fir with Engelmann spruce mixed in occurs when fire interval is extended 100 years or more. Grand fir will dominate the regeneration in the understory. In the drier areas of this site root rot and defoliating insects can be a problem. Snags and downed wood will be common in these areas. This state will be susceptible to stand replacing fires.
Dominant plant species
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grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), tree
Community 2.1
Fire ExclusionAn all aged stand of grand fir and Douglas-fir with Engelmann spruce mixed in occurs when fire interval is extended 100 years or more. Grand fir will dominate the regeneration in the understory. In the drier areas of this site root rot and defoliating insects can be a problem. Snags and downed wood will be common in these areas. This state will be susceptible to stand replacing fires.
Dominant plant species
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grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
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Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
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Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), tree
State 3
ShrubfieldsSuccessive severe ground fires create shrub fields for long time periods. Ceanothus species, ninebark, oceanspray, snowberry, spirea, Douglas maple, Scouler willow and serviceberry will dominate preventing tree regeneration.
Dominant plant species
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snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), shrub
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redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus), shrub
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mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
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oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
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common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
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white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), shrub
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Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), shrub
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Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana), shrub
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Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrub
Community 3.1
ShrubfieldsSuccessive severe ground fires create shrub fields for long time periods. Ceanothus species, ninebark, oceanspray, snowberry, spirea, Douglas maple, Scouler willow and serviceberry will dominate preventing tree regeneration.
Dominant plant species
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snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), shrub
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redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus), shrub
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mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
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oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
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common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
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white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), shrub
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Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), shrub
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Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana), shrub
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Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrub
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2100+ years of fire exclusion will move the site to a mature grand fir – Douglas-fir site.
Key drivers
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Fire frequency
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Successive severe burns kill regeneration and maintaining sprouting shrubs dominance.
Key drivers
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Fire
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Overstory management with ground burning will favor seral species.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Careful site selection and fire control allow tree regeneration to establish
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
References
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. 1998. NRCS National Forestry Manual.
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. 2017. NRCS Soil and Site Index data for NE WA and N. Idaho.
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Cooper, S.V., K.E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D.W. Roberts. 1991. Forest Habitat types of Northern Idaho, A Second Approximation.
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Finklin, A.I. 1983. Climate of Priest River Experimental Forest, northern Idaho. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-159. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 53.
-
Smith and Fischer. 1997. Fire Ecology of the Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho.
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Williams, C.K., B.F. Kelley, B.G. Smith, and T.R. Lillybridge. October, 1995. Forested Plant Associations of the Colville National Forest.
-
Zack, A. 1997. Biophysical Classification- Habitat Groups and Description of Northern Idaho and Northwestern Montana, Lower Clarkfork and Adjacent Areas..
Approval
Kirt Walstad, 4/11/2025
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 12/18/2020 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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