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Ecological site QX197X01X508

Cinder Subsurface Forest

Last updated: 8/22/2026
Accessed: 09/23/2026

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General information

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): 197X–Volcanic Islands of American Samoa

This MLRA consists of the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Tau. The islands have extremely steep, highly dissected mountains, small valleys, and a narrow coastal plain. More than half of the area has slopes of more than 70 percent. The highest elevations are 3,056 feet (931 meters) on Tau and 2,142 feet (653 meters) on Tutuila. The islands consist of Pleistocene-age, basic igneous rocks, mainly basalt with some andesite and trachyte (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

The climate is moist, warm, and humid. Average annual rainfall ranges from 125 inches (3,175 millimeters) to more than 250 inches (6,350 millimeters). Rainfall varies over short distances due to topography. The driest months are June through September; the wettest months are December through March. Average annual temperature is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C). Relative humidity is 73 to 90 percent throughout the year. Prevailing winds are easterly trade winds. Cyclones occasionally strike the area (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Soils are Mollisols, Andisols, Entisols, Oxisols, and Histosols. Soil moisture regimes are udic or perudic; the soil temperature regime is isohyperthermic. Natural vegetation is mostly tropical hardwood forest (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Classification relationships

This ecological site occurs within Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 197 – Volcanic Islands of American Samoa.

Ecological site concept

This ecological site occurs on the islands of Tutuila and Tau in American Samoa. It occurs on gently sloping to steep (6 to 40 percent) mountain side slopes at elevations ranging from 300 to 3000 feet (90 to 910 meters) elevation. Access is difficult in most areas (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Soils are in the Andisols order. They formed in volcanic ash overlying cinders. Soil temperature regimes are isohyperthermic; soil moisture regimes are perudic. Average annual rainfall ranges from 175 to 300 inches (4,445 to 7,620 millimeters), and cloud cover and fog occur frequently at the higher elevations of the ecological site. There is no dry season and soils are usually very moist. Water runoff is low to medium. Air temperatures for the most part is slightly cooler than those in other areas of American Samoa. Effective rooting depths are 14 to 35 inches (35 to 90 centimeters). Rock fragment contents range from none to 10 percent gravel (USDA-SCS, 1984).

This is the most diverse forest type in American Samoa. Ground cover is dense, and epiphytes and climbing plants are abundant (USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

At the very highest elevations of this ecological site, two distinct vegetation types have been described in the literature. They are usually name “Summit Scrub” and “Montane Scrub.” Due to extreme accessibility problems, there are no distinct soils mapped in these areas that would account for these two vegetation types in the ecological site system. Further information can be found in Whistler (2002).

Associated sites

QX197X01X505	Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Ecological Site adjoins Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where high-elevation (greater than 900 feet) uplands and mountainsides descend to lower elevation (up to 900 feet) uplands, mountainsides, and talus slopes. Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Ecological Site soils are Mollisols and Andisols with high organic carbon and rock contents that overlie lava rock. Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site consists of Andisols with little or no rock content that overlie weathered cinders.
QX197X01X509	Very Steep Forest Very Steep Forest Ecological Site adjoins Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where very steep slopes border on less-steep slopes on mountainsides at high elevations. Very Steep Forest Ecological Site has slopes of 70 to 130 percent and occurs at elevations of 0 to about 2,100 feet. Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site has slopes of 6 to 40 percent and occurs at elevations of 300 to 3,000 feet.

QX197X01X505

Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest

Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Ecological Site adjoins Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where high-elevation (greater than 900 feet) uplands and mountainsides descend to lower elevation (up to 900 feet) uplands, mountainsides, and talus slopes. Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Ecological Site soils are Mollisols and Andisols with high organic carbon and rock contents that overlie lava rock. Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site consists of Andisols with little or no rock content that overlie weathered cinders.

QX197X01X509

Very Steep Forest

Very Steep Forest Ecological Site adjoins Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where very steep slopes border on less-steep slopes on mountainsides at high elevations. Very Steep Forest Ecological Site has slopes of 70 to 130 percent and occurs at elevations of 0 to about 2,100 feet. Cinder Subsurface Forest Ecological Site has slopes of 6 to 40 percent and occurs at elevations of 300 to 3,000 feet.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Dysoxylum huntii (2) Syzygium
Shrub	(1) Cyrtandra
Herbaceous	(1) Hymenophyllum (2) Lomagramma cordipinna

Legacy ID

F197XY508AS

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Physiographic features

This ecological site occurs on mountain slopes. Except for one soil map delineation, locations at the lower, warmer, drier extreme of this ecological site are in positions that would receive runoff (USDA-SCS, 1984).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Island > Mountain slope (2) Island > Ridge (3) Island > Cinder cone
Runoff class	Low to medium
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	300 – 3000 ft
Slope	6 – 40 %
Water table depth	72 – 0 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The area is characterized by abundant rain and warm, humid days and nights. Average annual precipitation in this ecological site ranges from 194 to 249 inches (4,930 to 6,325 millimeters, from the closest weather station). Cloud cover and fog occur frequently at the higher elevations of the ecological site, resulting in addition to soil moisture by fog drip. There is no dry season. Air temperatures for the most part is cooler than those in other areas of American Samoa. The driest period is June through September (winter), and the wettest is December through March (summer), although heavy showers and long, rainy periods can occur in any month. June, July, and August are the coolest months, and January, February, and March are the warmest. Daytime temperatures typically reach the upper 80 degrees F in summer and the middle 80 degrees F in winter, while nighttime temperatures are in the middle 70 degrees F in summer and low 70 degrees F in winter.

The prevailing winds throughout the year are the easterly trade winds. They tend to be more directly from the east in December through March and mostly from the east-southeast and southeast during the rest of the year. The trade winds are less prevalent in summer than in winter. About 25 to 30 thunderstorms occur in an average year, mainly during the rainy season. The area lies across the path of tropical disturbances, including cyclones, that come usually from the north, but occasionally from east or west.

Table 3 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	370 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	370 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	190-250 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	370 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	370 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	160-300 in
Frost-free period (average)	370 days
Freeze-free period (average)	370 days
Precipitation total (average)	220 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) PAGO PAGO WSO AP [AQW00061705], AS

Soil features

Soils are in the Andisols order. They formed in volcanic ash overlying cinders. Soil temperature regimes are isohyperthermic; soil moisture regimes are perudic. Effective rooting depths are 14 to 35 inches (35 to 90 centimeters). Mean annual soil temperatures are 76 to 78 degrees F (24 to 25 degrees C). Soil components correlated to this ecological site are Oloava (19, 20) and Olotania family (22).

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Volcanic ash (2) Cinders
Surface texture	(1) Highly organic silty clay loam (2) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Medial
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderately rapid
Depth to restrictive layer	14 – 35 in
Soil depth	14 – 35 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	6 – 8 %
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1.4 – 5.8 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 – 6.5
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	9 – 43 %
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

The main natural disturbances are landslides and strong storms that can damage or kill vegetation by high wind speeds. The main human disturbance is clearing of native vegetation that results in at least temporary dominance of introduced weedy plants (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Sene, 2020; Space and Flynn, 2000; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002).

Many plant species are not found in USDA Plants Database but are found in the listed references and in the Plants of the World Online, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 7. State and Transition Model (STM) for Cinder Subsurface Forest.

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Cleared State

3. Invaded Forest State

T1A	-	Large landslides, very severe storms, or removal of native vegetation and colonization by weedy, introduced plant species.
T1B	-	Landslide, wind damage, or ungulate damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species.
R2A	-	Active restoration measures.
T2A	-	Growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses.
R3A	-	Active restoration measures.
T3A	-	Damage by landslide, a severe storm, or clearing by humans.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Maota Mea – Fena Vao/Cyrtandra Spp./ Filmy Fern - Lomagramma

1.2. Maota Mea – Salato/Tree Fern Spp.

1.1A	-	Storms, landslides, or land clearing that damage or kill trees.
1.2A	-	Adequate time to recover after disturbance.

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Lantana – Koster’s Curse/Fua Lele/Mile-A-Minute Vine/Hilograss

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Salato – African Tuliptree/Koster’s Curse/Mile-A-Minute Vine/Running Mountaingrass

State 1
Reference State

This ecological site is the most diverse forest type in American Samoa. The tree canopy is moderately tall (49 to 58 feet or 15 to 18 meters). Ground cover is dense. Epiphytes and lianas are very abundant (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Sene, 2020; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002).

Dominant plant species

(Dysoxylum huntii), tree
syzygium (Syzygium), tree
(Dendrocnide), tree
cyrtandra (Cyrtandra), shrub
treefern (Cyathea), shrub
filmy fern (Hymenophyllum), other herbaceous
(Lomagramma cordipinna), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Maota Mea – Fena Vao/Cyrtandra Spp./ Filmy Fern - Lomagramma

Among the many dominant tree species are maota mea (Dysoxylum huntii), fena vao (Syzygium samoense), Javanese bishopwood or oa (Bischofia javanica), pipi (Hernandia moerenhoutiana), A'amatie (Elaeocarpus ulianus), reynoldsia or vi vao (Reynoldsia lanutoensis), Indian mulberry or nonu vao (Morinda citriflolia), and afia (Ascarina diffusa). Tree ferns (Cyathea spp.) are present and are especially abundant where the tree canopy is partially open (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994; Whistler, 1992).

Dominant ferns include the native creeping and climbing fern lomagramma (Lomagramma cordipinna), Hawail'i birdnest fern (Asplenium nidus), Oriental vessel fern or mule’s foot fern (Angiopteris evecta), Diplazium spp., musk fern (Phymatosorus grossus), air ferns (Dicksonia brackenridgei) and Pneumatopteris spp., and small ferns in the genera filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum )and bristle ferns (Trichomanes). There are many orchid species. Among the shrubs are Calycosia species, Cyrtandra species, and wild coffee (Psychotria species), which may also be small trees. Among lianas and vines are Mucuna spp., Alyxia spp., Hoya spp., Gynochthodes epiphytica, Faradaya amicorum, Aristolochia cortinata, pepper (Piper spp.), Freycinetia spp., Medinilla samoensis, and Rhaphidophora graeffei (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994; Whistler, 1992).

Dominant plant species

(Dysoxylum huntii), tree
syzygium (Syzygium), tree
cyrtandra (Cyrtandra), shrub
filmy fern (Hymenophyllum), other herbaceous
(Lomagramma cordipinna), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Maota Mea – Salato/Tree Fern Spp.

The same tree species as in Community Phase 1.1 remain in this phase, but other native tree species, commonly salato (Dendrocnide harveyi), a stinging nettle tree, can join the canopy as the forest regrows. Tree ferns and ground vegetation becomes temporarily more abundant. Epiphytes are less common than in 1.1.

Dominant plant species

(Dysoxylum huntii), tree
(Dendrocnide), tree
treefern (Cyathea), shrub

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Storms or landslides that damage or kill trees, or land clearing of small plots, when there is no significant source of invasive introduced plant species nearby causes a phase change from 1.1 to 1.2 typified by a partial, temporary change in dominant tree species and a temporary increase in ground level vegetation.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This community phase will revert to phase 1.1 with gradual regrowth of native species when given adequate time to recover after disturbance.

State 2
Cleared State

This state consists of one community phase dominated by a variable mixture of introduced and native shrubs, vines, forbs, and grasses that thrive in sunny environments.

Dominant plant species

lantana (Lantana), shrub
soapbush (Clidemia hirta), shrub
hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum), grass
redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides), other herbaceous
mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), other herbaceous

Community 2.1
Lantana – Koster’s Curse/Fua Lele/Mile-A-Minute Vine/Hilograss

This community phase consists of a variable array of shrubs, forbs, vines, and young trees that thrive in sunny environments. Shrubs such as lantana (Lantana camara), stickbush or Honolulu rose (Clerodendrum chinense), soapbush or Koster’s curse (Clidemia hirta), and nettleleaf velvetberry (Stachytarpheta urticifolia) are dominant. The shrub layer may also include seedlings and saplings of any native trees that may have persisted on or near the site or invasive, introduced tree species such as African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata). Mile-a-minute vine (Mikania micrantha) and the large, introduced forb redflower ragleaf or fua lele (Crassocephalum crepidioides) are commonly present.

Dominant plant species

lantana (Lantana camara), shrub
soapbush (Clidemia hirta), shrub
hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum), grass
redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides), other herbaceous
mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), other herbaceous

State 3
Invaded Forest State

This state consists of one community phase. It is a forest with both overstory and understory composed of a variable mix of native and introduced species. The actual species composition on a given site depends on the original native species composition, the disturbance history, and the species composition existing near the site before, during, and after disturbances (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Space and Flynn, 2000; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994; Whistler, 1992).

Dominant plant species

(Dendrocnide), tree
African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata), tree
soapbush (Clidemia hirta), shrub
running mountaingrass (Oplismenus compositus), grass
mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), other herbaceous

Community 3.1
Salato – African Tuliptree/Koster’s Curse/Mile-A-Minute Vine/Running Mountaingrass

The overstory consists of large trees. Any of the native species listed for State 1 Reference may be present. Introduced tree species are likely to be present; common examples of these are African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata), tamaligi or peacocksplume (Falcataria moluccana), and red beadtree (Adenanthera pavonina) (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Space and Flynn, 2000; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994; Whistler, 1992).

The understory consists of an unpredictable mixture of native and introduced shrubs, ferns, vines, forbs, and grasses that have some shade tolerance. See State 1 Reference for examples of native species. Common examples of introduced understory species are the shrubs Koster’s curse (Clidemia hirta) and Honolulu rose (Clerodendrum chinense), mile-a-minute vine (Mikania micrantha), and running mountaingrass (Oplismenus compositus) (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Space and Flynn, 2000; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994; Whistler, 1992).

Dominant plant species

(Dendrocnide), tree
African tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata), tree
soapbush (Clidemia hirta), shrub
running mountaingrass (Oplismenus compositus), grass
mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), other herbaceous

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

The Reference State (1) Reference transitions to the Cleared State (2) by large landslides, very severe storms, or removal of native vegetation and allowing colonization by weedy, introduced plant species when a nearby seed source for these invaders is present.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (3) by landslide or wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

The Cleared State (2) may be restored to the Reference State (1). The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forest or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

The Cleared State (2) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (3) by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

The Invaded Forest State (3) can be restored to the Reference State (1). The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.

Restoration pathway T3A
State 3 to 2

The Invaded Forest State (3) can transition back to the Cleared State (2) due to damage by landslide, a severe storm, or clearing by humans. The Cleared State (2) is likely to rapidly transition to the Invaded Forest State (3) due to presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil.

Additional community tables

Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Supporting information

Inventory data references

NASIS soil component data.

Other references

Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources. (2010). American Samoa Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy. American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Green, K., Kittel, G., Lopez, C., Ainsworth, A., Selvig, M., Vaivai, V., Akamine, K., Tukman, M., and Kudray, G. (2015). Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project, National Park of American Samoa. USDI-NPS Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Sene, D. M. (2020). Forest Action Plan. Forestry Program, American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Space, J. C. and Flynn, T. (2000). Observations on invasive plant species in American Samoa. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Honolulu. http://www.hear.org/pier/references/pierref000021.htm

USDA-NRCS. (2006). Major Land Resource Regions. USDA Agriculture Handbook 296. http://soils.usda.gov/MLRAExplorer

USDA-SCS. (1984). Soil Survey of Islands of American Samoa. Nakamura S, Chavez CL and MW Roybal, in cooperation with the Government of American Samoa.

USDI-FWS. (1982). Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat of American Samoa. II. Accounts of Flora and Fauna. R Banks, editor. Washington DC.

Webb, E. L. and Fa`aumu, S. (1999). Diversity and structure of tropical rain forest of Tutuila, American Samoa: effects of site age and substrate. Plant Ecology 44: 257-274.

Whistler, W. A. (2002). The Samoan Rainforest. Isle Botanica, Honolulu.

Whistler, W. A. (1994). Botanical Inventory of the Proposed Tutuila and Ofu Units of the National Park of American Samoa. Technical Report 87. National Park Service. Honolulu.

Whistler, W. A. (1992). Botanical Inventory of the Proposed Ta`u Unit of the National Park of American Samoa. Technical Report 83. National Park Service. Honolulu.

Contributors

David Clausnitzer PhD
John Proctor
Ann Tan
Carolyn Auweloa
Daniel Bowman
Jennifer Fedenko
Amy Koch
Kendra Moseley
Sarah Quistberg
Jill Ficke-Beaton
Daniel Block
Brendan Brazee
Curtis Talbot

Approval

Jamin Johanson, 8/22/2026

Acknowledgments

Assistance, advice, review, and/or insights: Michael Constantinides, NRCS-PIA Jennifer Higashino, USFWS and NRCS Mike Kolman, NRCS

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	06/17/2026
Approved by
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site QX197X01X508

Cinder Subsurface Forest

Last updated: 8/22/2026 Accessed: 09/23/2026

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General information

MLRA notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Legacy ID

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 8/22/2026
Accessed: 09/23/2026