Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Warm-Frigid, Moist-Xeric, Hill and Mountain Slopes (Grand Fir Warm Dry Shrub) Abies grandis - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Physocarpus malvaceus - Symphoricarpos albus
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Restoration pathway R4A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
Reference State – Open Stand
Frequent ground fires every 10 – 20 years create an open stand of mature ponderosa pine, western larch, and some Douglas-fir. Understory is a mix of grass and shrubs. Most of the scattered regeneration is pine and larch with some Douglas-fir and grand fir. Most of the herb component is pine grass with scattered ninebark, oceanspray, and snowberry. With infrequent fire the mature stand becomes denser and Douglas-fir and grand fir regeneration increases. Fire exclusion for several years creates a multi-story Douglas-fir –grand fir stand with remnant pine and larch. Stands in this condition are more susceptible to stand replacing fires. Amillaria root rot mortality can increase in Douglas-fir and grand fir creating deciduous tree/shrub pockets. Severe fires can lead to shrub dominated areas for long time periods.
Dominant plant species
Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens), grass
Submodel
Management interpretations
Critical values |
Interpretations |
Description
This state develops with extended lack of fire and consists of all aged Douglas-fir and grand fir with scattered old ponderosa pine and western larch remnants. Tree canopy is multi-stored. Tree age ranges from 60-125+ years. Windthrow and root rot pockets create openings for shrub or tree regeneration. Many snags and down logs can be present. High fuel loads and ladder fuels create conditions for stand replacing fire.
Dominant plant species
Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), tree
grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
western larch (Larix occidentalis), tree
mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
Submodel
Description
Reoccurring severe fire damages soil surface and shrubs dominate site for extended time period. Tree regeneration is sporadic or nonexistent. Ceanothus species would be a key component in this state. Other shrub species would include snowberry, ninebark, oceanspray, Douglas-maple, and Scouler willow.
Dominant plant species
ceanothus (Ceanothus), shrub
common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), shrub
oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), shrub
Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii), shrub
Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana), shrub
Submodel
Mechanism
Reoccurring severe fire with soil degradation keeping a shrubfield state
Mechanism
Root rot pockets killing Douglas-fir and Grand fir creating a deciduous vegetation state
Model keys
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Ecological site groups
Major Land Resource Areas
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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