Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model The Rapid Assessment is a component of the LANDFIRE project. Reference condition models for the Rapid Assessment were
created through a series of expert workshops and a peer-review process in 2004 and 2005. For more information, please visit
www.landfire.gov. Please direct questions to [email protected].
Potential Natural Vegetation Group (PNVG)
R2SBWYwt
Wyoming Big Sagebrush Semi Desert with Trees
General Information
Contributors (additional contributors may be listed under "Model Evolution and Comments")
Modelers
Reviewers
Gary Back
Vegetation Type
Shrubland
Dominant Species*
ARTR
CHVI8
ACHY
HECO
[email protected]
Stanley G. Kitchen
Peter Weisberg
General Model Sources
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
LANDFIRE Mapping Zones
12
17
13
18
16
[email protected]
[email protected]
Rapid AssessmentModel Zones
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This PNVG is found in the southern portion of the Great Basin; western CA, central NV, and UT
Biophysical Site Description
This widespread PNVG is common to the Basin and Range province. In elevation it ranges from 4,500 ­
7,000 ft, and occurs on well-drained soils on foothills, terraces, slopes and plateaus. It is found on soil
depths greater than 18 inches and up to 60+ inches. Elevationally it is found between low elevation salt
desert shrub and mountain big sagebrush zones where pinyon and juniper can establish. Occurs from 4 to
12 inch precipitation zones.
Vegetation Description
Shrub canopy cover generally ranges from 5 to 25%, but can exceed 30% at the upper elevation and
precipitation zones. Wyoming big sagebrush sites have fewer understory species relative to other big
sagebrush types. Rabbit rubberbrush co-dominant. Perennial forb cover is usually <10%. Perennial grass
cover may reach 20 - 25% on the more productive sites. Bluebunch wheatgrass may be a dominant species
following replacement fires and as a co-dominant after 20 years. Bottlebrush squirreltail and Indian
ricegrass are common. Percent cover and species richness of understory are determined by site limitations.
Pinyon (generally Pinus monophyla) and juniper (generally Juniper osteosperma) present, occasionally
reaching 90% canopy cover in areas that have escaped fire. Wyoming big sagebrush semi-desert is critical
habitat for the Greater Sage Grouse and many sagebrush obligates.
Disturbance Description
This PNVG is characterized by replacement fires where shrub canopy exceeds 25% (50 - 100 years; mean
FRI of 125 years, i.e., 80% of total fire probability) or where grass cover is >15% and shrub cover is > 20%
(40 - 70 years; mean FRI of 100 years). Mixed Severity fires account for 20% of fire activity (mean FRI of
500 years) where shrub cover ranges from 10 to 20% (20 - 40 years). Surface fires where shrub cover is
<10% (0 - 20 years) and generally uncommon during early development (FRI of 200 years). Where pinyon
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 1 of 6
or juniper has encroached after 100 years without fire, mean FRI of fire replacement increases from 100 to
125 years.
The Aroga moth is capable of defoliating large acreages (i.e., > 1,000 ac), but usually 10 to 100 acres.
Weather stress: Prolonged drought (1 in 100 years) on the more xeric sites may reduce shrub cover.
Flooding may also cause mortality if the soil remains saturated for an extended period of time (i.e., 1 in 300
year flood events).
Herbivory (non-insect); Herbivory can remove the fine fuels that support Mixed Severity fires and result in
woody fuel build up that leads to severe Replacement fires. Surface fires occur in the early seral stage where
shrub cover is < 10%.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This community may be adjacent to mountain big sagebrush at elevations above 6,500 ft., or adjacent to
pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine, at mid- to high-elevations, and salt desert shrub at low elevations. Low
sagebrush or black sagebrush may form large islands within this community where soils are shallow or have
restrictive layers.
Concerns: Post-settlement conversion to cheatgrass is common and results in change in fire frequency and
vegetation dynamics. Fire suppression can lead to pinyon-juniper encroachment with subsequent loss of
shrub and herbaceous understory. Disturbance of this community may result in establishment of annual
grasslands (e.g., cheatgrass) and/or noxious weeds. Lack of disturbance can result in pinyon-juniper
encroachment where adjacent to pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Literature
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
Historic disturbance (fire) likely ranged from small (< 10 ac) to large (> 10,000 acres) depending on
conditions, time since last ignition, and fuel loading. Assumed the average patch size is 250 acres.
Issues/Problems
1) Some reviewers recommended merging all Wyoming big sagebrush PNVGs: R2SBWY, R2SBWYse,
and R2SBWYwt. These PNVGs do not occur in the same areas or effective precipitation zones. Revised
PNVGs are more clearly distinguished with greater differences in MFIs and fire behavior. Also, some
reviewers did not know the LANDFIRE definition of mixed severity fire (25-75% of vegetation within burn
perimeter is top killed by fire), which caused them to include mixed severity within replacement fire (>75%
topkill).
2) There are no data, although abundant opinions, for the percentage of replacement and mixed severity
fires, especially during mid-development, or whether surface fires occurred at all during early development
during the pre-settlement phase.
Model Evolution and Comments
This model assumes the sites are near pinyon-juniper woodlands and without frequent fire, the p-j will
encroach into the sagebrush range site.
The first three development classes chosen for this PNVG correspond to the early, mid-, and late seral stages
familiar to range ecologists. The two classes with conifer invasion (classes D and E) approximately
correspond to Miller and Tausch's (2001) phases 2 and 3 of pinyon and juniper invasion into shrublands. A
PNVG for Wyoming big sagebrush without tree invasion (R2SBWy; due to low elevation) was developed.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 2 of 6
Succession Classes**
Succession classes are the equivalent of "Vegetation Fuel Classes" as defined in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (www.frcc.gov).
Class A
15 %
Early1 PostRep
Description
Post-replacement disturbance;
grass dominated with scattered
shrubs. Fuel loading discontinuous.
Surface fire occurs every 200 years
on average but has no effect on
succession. Succession to class B
after 20 years.
Class B
50 %
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ACHY
HECOC
CHVI8 ARTR
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Description
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
25 %
Mid2 Closed
Description
Shrubs dominate the landscape;
fuel loading is primarily woody
vegetation. Shrub density sufficient
in old stands to carry the fire
without fine fuels. Establishment of
pinyon and juniper seedlings and
saplings widely scattered.
Replacement fire (mean FRI of 100
years) and rare flood events (return
interval of 333 years) cause a
transition to class A. Prolonged
drought (mean return interval of
100 years) and insect/disease
(every 75 years on average) cause a
transition to class B. Succession to
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR
CHVI8
ELEL5
HECO2
no data
no data
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Tree Size Class
no data
no data
no data
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Tree Size Class
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
25 %
Min
11 %
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Cover
Upper Layer Lifeform
Fuel Model
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Cover
Shrubs and herbaceous can be co­
dominant, fine fuels bridge the
Upper Layer Lifeform
woody fuels, but fuel
discontinuities are possible.
Herbaceous
Replacement fire accounts for 80%
Shrub
of fire activity (mean FRI of 125
Tree
years), whereas mixed severity fire
Fuel Model no data
occurs every 500 years on average
(20% of fire activity) and maintains
vegetation in class B. Succession to
class C after 40 years.
Class C
Max
10 %
Min
0%
no data
ARTR
ACHY
CHVI8
HECO2
Mid1 Open
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
26 %
no data
no data
Max
35 %
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 3 of 6
class D after 40 years.
Class D
5%
Late1 Open
Description
Pinyon-juniper encroachment
where disturbance has not occurred
for 100+ years (tree species cover
<15%). Saplings and young trees
are the dominant lifeform.
Sagebrush cover (<25%) and
herbaceous cover decreasing
compared to class C. Replacement
fire occurs every 125 years on
average. Insect/disease (every 75
years) and prolonged drought
(every 100 years) thin both trees
and shrubs, causing a transition to
class C. Succession to class E after
50 years.
Class E
5%
Late1 Closed
Description
Pinyon-juniper woodland (cover
16-90%) where disturbance does
not occur for 50+ years in Class D.
Shrub cover <10% and graminoids
scattered. Replacement fire occurs
every 125 years on average.
Prolonged drought thins trees,
causing a transition to class B.
Succession from class E to E.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
JUNIP
PIMO
ARTR
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
15 %
Min
0%
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
JUNIP
PIMO
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
16 %
no data
no data
Max
90 %
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 4 of 6
Disturbances Modeled
Fire
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other:
Other
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg: no data
Min: no data
Max: no data
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Fire Regime Group: 4
I: 0-35 year frequency, low and mixed severity
II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity
III: 35-200 year frequency, low and mixed severity
IV: 35-200 year frequency, replacement severity
V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity
Fire Intervals (FI)
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. All values are
estimates and not precise.
Avg FI
Replacement
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
Min FI
137
1000
2500
115
30
20
20
Max FI
Probability
200
333
200
0.0073
0.001
0.0004
0.0087
Percent of All Fires
84
11
5
References
Brown, J. K. and J. K. Smith, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep.
RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 257 p.
Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1994. Intermountain Flora:
Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Asterales. Volume 5. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx,
NY.
Gruell, G.E. 1999. Historical and modrern roles of fire in pinyon-juniper. P. 24-28. In: S.B. Monsen & R.
Stevens (compilers). Proceedings: ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the
Interior West; 1997, Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT. U.S. Dept. Ag., Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station.
Kuchler, A.W. 1985. Potential natural vegetation (map at scale of 1:7,500,000). In: U.S. Geological survey,
The National Atlas of the USA. U.S. Govt. Print. Off. Washington, D.C.
Miller, R.F. and J.A. Rose. 1999. Fire history and western juniper encroachment in sagebrush-steppe. Journal
of Range Management. 550-559.
Miller, R.F. and L.L. Eddleman. 2000. Spatial and temporal changes of sage grouse habitat in the sagebrush
biome. Oregon State Univ. Agr. Exp. Stat. Technical Bull. 151. 35pp.
Miller, R. F. and R. J. Tausch. 2001. The role of fire in juniper and pinyon woodlands: a descriptive analysis.
Proceedings: The First National Congress on Fire, Ecology, Prevention, and Management. San Diego, CA,
Nov. 27- Dec. 1, 2000. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Miscellaneous Publication 11, p:15­
30.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 28A Great Salt Lake Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 28B Central Nevada Basin and Range. Nevada Ecological Site
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 5 of 6
Descriptions. Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 25 Owyhee High Plateau. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 24 Humboldt Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions. Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 27 Fallon-Lovelock Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
Tausch, R.J. and R.S. Nowak. 1999. Fifty years of ecotone change between shrub and tree dominance in the
Jack Springs Pinyon Research Natural Area. P.71-77. In: E.D. McArthur, W. K. Ostler, & C.L Wambolt
(compilers). Proceedings: shrubland ecotones. 1998. Ephram, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-11. Ogden, UT. U.S. Dept.
Ag., Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Tilsdale, E.W. 1994. Great Basin region: sagebrush types. P. 40-46. In: T.N. Shiflet (ed.) Rangeland Cover
Types. Soc. Range Manage., Denver, CO.
West, N.E. 1983. Western Intermountain sagebrush steppe. P. 351-297. In: N.E. West (ed.) Ecosystems of the
World 5: Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York, NY.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 6 of 6
Geographic Range
Great Basin Basins and Mountain Ranges
Biophysical Site Description
This type describes low and stiff sagebrush that grow on shallow soils where a root limiting layer exists
and where pinyon or juniper trees can establish. Low sagebrush tends to grow where claypan layers
exist in the soil profile and soils are often saturated during a portion of the year. Elevations range from
5,500 ft to 9,000 ft, the elevational zone where juniper can establish.
Vegetation Description
This type includes communities dominated by stiff sagebrush (Artemisia ridgida) and low sagebrush
(Artemisia arbuscula). Pinyon or juniper encroachment is possible, however this PNVG is not a
woodland (see R2PIJU). Although these types do not usually grow in combination, they do share
similar fire regimes. Dwarf sagebrushes generally have relatively low fuel loads with low growing and
cushion forbs and scattered bunch grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata),
needlegrasses (Achnatherum spp.), Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa secunda) and Indian ricegrass (Oryopsis
hymenoides). Forbs often include buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.), fleabanes (Erigeron spp.), phloxs
(Phlox spp.), paintbrushes (Castilleja spp.), globemallows (Sphaeralcea spp.), and lupines (Lupinus
spp.). Conifer species could include one or more of the following: western juniper (Juniperus
occidentalis).
Disturbance Description
This type generally burns with mixed severity (average FRI of 100-140 yrs) in the early and middle
successional stages due to relatively low fuel loads and herbaceous cover. Bare ground acts as a microbarrier to fire between low statured shrubs. Oils and resins present in the foliage and stems of sagebrush
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 1 of 6
allow fire to spread. Stand-replacing fires (average FRI of 150-250 yrs) can occur in this type when
successive years of above average precipitation are followed by an average or dry year. Stand replacement
fires dominate in the late successional class where the herbaceous component has diminished (average FRI
of 150-200 yrs). Fires may or may not be wind driven. This type fits best into Fire Group IV.
Grazing by wild ungulates occurs in this type due to it's high palatability compared to other browse. This
native browsing tends to open up the canopy cover of shrubs but does not often change the successional
stage. Because this disturbance has no effect on the model's dynamics, it was not included.
The invasion of conifer trees (Juniper species) does occur in this PNVG. A similar PNVG (R2SBDW)
has been developed for the dwarf sagebrush type where the invasion of conifer trees does not
occur. The closure of the sagebrush canopy and the early phase of invasion by young trees are initiated after
the site has not burned for at least 120 yrs. After another 75 yrs following initial tree invasion, trees will
close the canopy, greatly suppress sagebrush canopy, and replacement fire will occur every 150 yrs on
average.
Drought is a stress factor that does not change the canopy cover of shrubs however the herbaceous layer will
decrease and lower the probability of fire.
Ips beetle outbreaks occur after multiple years of drought in the pinyon and juniper classes C and D. When
this occurs the successional stage does not change but the pinyon component is variably reduced depending
on the severity of outbreak. A return interval of 60 yrs for prolonged and severe drought causes beetle
attacks.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
The dwarf sagebrush type tends to occur adjacent to either Wyoming big sagebrush, mountain big
sagebrush, mountain shrublands, or juniper/pinyon types.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Literature
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
Disturbance patch size for this type is not well known but is estimated to be 10s to 100s of acres due to the
relatively small proportion of the sagebrush matrix it occupies and the limited potential for fire spread.
Issues/Problems
Stiff and low sagebrush have been lumped into one PNVG. Stiff and low sagebrush may have similar fire
regimes in the early to middle successional classes but have different potentials for invasion of conifer
leading to a closed tree canopy, therefore a different fire regime in the late successional stages.
The stand replacement FRI of sagebrush types encroached by trees is not well known (shorter or longer)
because the duration of the current human-caused encroachment in the Great Basin is approximately 120
yrs old. Therefore, we have not yet observed repeat fire intervals, especially without cheatgrass. If the FRI
for dwarf sagebrush types fully encroached by trees is shorter (e.g., to 100 years from 150 yrs), then the
percentage of class D decreases by 5% and that of class B (mid-open) increases by 5%. This is one of the
more sensitive parameters.
The dominant species in each vegetation class reflect a compilation of species found in the PNVG but do
not usually occur in the same communities.
Model Evolution and Comments
Due to the problem/issue described above it may wise to build separate models for low sagebrush and black
sagebrush.
This PNVG describes dwarf sagebrush communities that occur adjacent to woodlands.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 2 of 6
Succession Classes**
Succession classes are the equivalent of "Vegetation Fuel Classes" as defined in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (www.frcc.gov).
Class A
10 %
Early1 Open
Description
Early seral community dominated
by herbaceous vegetation; less than
5% sagebrush canopy cover; up to
24 years post-disturbance.
Replacement fire (FRI of 200 yrs)
maintains vegetation in state A.
Drought every 3.5 yrs on average
reduces the herbaceous cover but
does not change the dynamics.
Succession to B after 25 years.
Class B
65 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Mid-seral community with a
mixture of herbaceous and shrub
vegetation; 5 to 10% sagebrush
canopy cover present; between 20
to 59 years post-disturbance.
Drought every 3.5 yrs on average
reduces the herbaceous cover but
does not change the dynamics.
Replacement fire (FRI of 200 yrs)
returns vegetation to state A,
whereas mixed severity fire (FRI of
100 yrs) maintains vegetation in
state B. In the absence of any fire
for 120 yrs, the vegetation will
transition to C with young trees
invading and sagebrush canopy
closing. Otherwise, normal
succession keeps the dynamics
keeps vegetation in B.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
PSSP6 ACTH7
ACHY
POSE
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
4%
Min
0%
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARNO4
ARAR8
ACHY
PSSP6
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
5%
no data
Max
9%
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 3 of 6
Class C
10 %
Late1 Open
Description
Late seral community with a
mixture of herbaceous and shrub
vegetation; >10% sagebrush
canopy cover present; dispersed
conifer seedlings and saplings
established; 60 or more years postdisturbance. Insect attack the
vegetation in this state every 60 yrs
on average. Less severe droughts
(return interval of 3.5 yrs) reduce
herbaceous cover but does not
change succession. Replacement is
every 200 years on average,
whereas mixed severity fire is less
frequent than in B (FRI of 130
yrs). Succession is to D after 75
yrs.
Class D
Late2 Closed
Description
15 %
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARNO4
ARAR8
PSSP6
ACHY
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
10 %
Max
20 %
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
JUOC
PIMO
ARNO4
PSSP6
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Late seral community with a closed
canopy of conifer trees. The
degree of tree canopy closure
Upper Layer Lifeform
differs depending on whether it is a
Herbaceous
low sagebrush (max 15%)
Shrub
community. In low sagebrush
Tree
communities a mixture
Fuel Model no data
of herbaceous and shrub
vegetation with >10% sagebrush
canopy cover would still be
present. The herbaceous and
shrub component would be greatly
reduced to 100 years (low sage) postdisturbance. When Ips beetle
outbreaks occur the pinyon
component is reduced (return
interval of 60 yrs). The only fire is
replacement (FRI of 150 yrs) and
driven by a greater amount of
woody fuel than in previous states.
Minor droughts have the same
effect as before on herbaceous
cover. Succession from class D to
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
6%
no data
Max
40 %
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 4 of 6
D without fire.
Class E
0%
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Description
Height
no data
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Herbaceous
Shrub Tree
Fuel Model
Max
0%
Min
0%
Cover
no data
Disturbances Disturbances Modeled
Fire
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other:
Other
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg: no data
Min: no data
Max: no data
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Fire Regime Group: 3
I: 0-35 year frequency, low and mixed severity
II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity
III: 35-200 year frequency, low and mixed severity
IV: 35-200 year frequency, replacement severity
V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity
Fire Intervals (FI)
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. All values are
estimates and not precise.
Replacement
Mixed
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
227
136
150
50
290
190
0.00441
0.00735
Percent of All Fires
37
62
Surface
All Fires
85
0.01177
References
Blackburn, W.H. and P.T. Tueller. 1970. Pinyon and juniper invasion in black sagebrush communities in eastcentral Nevada. Ecology 51(5):841-848.
Chambers, J.C. and Miller J. editors. 2004. Great Basin riparian areas: ecology, management, and
restoration. Society for Ecological Restoration International, Island Press. Pp 24-48.
Ratzlaff, T.D. and J.E. Anderson. 1995. Vegetal recovery following wildfire in seeded and unseeded
sagebrush steppe. Journal of Range Managenent 48:386-391.
USDA-NRCS 2003. Ecological site descriptions for Nevada. Technical Guide Section IIE. MLRAs 28B,
28A, 29, 25, 24, 23.
Young, J.A. and D.E. Palmquist. 1992. Plant age/size distributions in black sagebrush (Artemisa nova):
effects on community structure. Great Basin Naturalist 52(4):313-320.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 5 of 6
Zamora, B. and P. T. Tueller. 1973. Artemisia arbuscula, A. longiloba, and A. nova habitat types in northern Nevada. Great Basin Naturalist 33: 225-242 . *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 6 of 6 LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910450
Northern Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic
Montane Mixed Conifer Forest
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Simpson
Modeler 2 Dave Powell
Modeler 3 Rod Clausnitzer
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
10/5/2005
Reviewer Bruce Hostetler
Reviewer
[email protected]
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
PIPO
ABGR
PSME
CAGE
General Model Sources
CARU
SYAL
SPBE2
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
8
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Modal population is in North Central Rockies (mz10), also occurs in Blue Mountains Oregon and
Washington, Ochoco Mountains Oregon, Wallowa-Snake province in Oregon/Washington. There may be
trickles of this type in the foothills of Yakima and Klickitat county, especially on stream slopes, also in the
SE of mz 8 on stream and river canyons in the foothills of the Blues.
Biophysical Site Description
Elevation range in eastside Washington about 2000 feet to about 6000 feet, but most stands occur between
3000 and 4500 feet. This forest type occurs just above ponderosa types on a moisture gradient.
Vegetation Description
Ponderosa pine overstory is typical in fire-maintained stands. Older stands tend to be of large, widely
spaced ponderosa pine or Douglas fir. Early seral forests are often open stands of mostly ponderosa pine.
Lack of wildfire causes fill in of understory conifers, mainly ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and grand fir.
Western larch is locally important.
Disturbance Description
Typical disturbance regimes under natural conditions include frequent, low-intensity under-burns that
maintain open stands of fire resistant trees. Much more infrequent mixed-severity and stand replacement
wildfire occurred and tended to generate mosaics of older, larger trees and younger regeneration. Endemic
bark beetles produced patch mortality. Rarer epidemic bark beetle outbreaks caused larger-scale overstory
mortality and released understory trees. Defoliator outbreaks also caused fir mortality in some areas.
Defoliation by spruce budworm is now more widespread than historically. Root diseases may play a
significant role in later seral forests in this environment.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 24 of 236
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This biophysical setting occurs below the more mesic mixed conifer forest types, and often occurs above
ponderosa pine forests.
This BpS includes the following plant associations: PSME/elk sedge, PSME/pinegrass, PSME/snowberry,
PSME/ninebark and similar types, grand fir (or grand fir-white fir hybrids) with similar associated species.
It does not include moister PSME and ABGR types (e.g. PSME/HODI, PSME/ACGL, ABGR/CLUN,
ABGR/VAME, ABGR/LIBO and similar moist types). White fir occurs in this type in southeastern Oregon.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
If these late successional classes exceed 50m height, the stand may be the 1047 MCON type.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Dry mixed conifer forests that often occur in large areas (hundreds to thousands of acres) that, due to fire
and insect disturbances, often contained mosaics of older, larger trees and smaller trees.
Issues/Problems
Comments
Dave Swanson [email protected] was another author on this model. This model was modified from Rapid
Assessment model R#MCONdy. Review by Miles Hemstrom,Ed Uebler, Bill McArthur, and Beth Willhite.
Vegetation Classes Class A
10 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Open stand of ponderosa pine and
other tree seedlings mixed with
grasses and shrubs. Early seral
dominant species include,
ceanothus, scouler willow, Bromus,
some sedges and grasses. We use
Comp/Maintenance to hold a
portion of this class back in an
extended shrub-dominated stage.
Also, we use AltSucc. without TSD
to allow a portion of this type to
succeed to Class B - mid-closed.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
PSME
LAOC
CAGE2
Upper
Upper
Upper
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Height
Tree 0m
Tree Size Class
Max
20 %
Tree 5m
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 25 of 236
Class B
5%
Mid1 Closed
Description
Closed stands of 5" to 20" DBH
early seral tree species. Forests in
this type rarely if ever exceed 80%
canopy closure even in closed,
dense conditions.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
PSME
LAOC
ABGR
Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
41 %
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class C
30 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Open stands of 5" to 20" DBH
early seral tree species. Dominant
understory plants include elk sedge,
pinegrass, common snowberry,
rose, mountain mahogany (wetter),
heartleaf arnica, lupines. This class
has low probability of replacement
fire due to discontinuous fuels in
these open stands. A small portion
of the class succeeds to Class E ­
late-closed.
Class D
45 %
Late1 Open
Description
Open stands of 20+" DBH early
seral tree species. Dominant
understory plants include elk sedge,
pinegrass, common snowberry,
rose, mountain mahogany (wetter),
heartleaf arnica, lupines.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
PSME
LAOC
ABGR
Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
11 %
Max
40 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
PSME
LAOC
ABGR
Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
40 %
Min
11 %
Cover
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 26 of 236
Class E
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position 10 %
Late1 Closed
Description
Closed stands of 20+" DBH early
seral tree species. Forests in this
PNVG rarely if ever exceed 80%
canopy closure even in closed,
dense conditions. This class has
relatively high prob. of replacement
fires, due to the dense understory,
though it is less than the prob. of
replacement fire in the mid-closed.
PIPO
PSME
ABGR
LAOC
Upper
Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
100 %
Min
41 %
Cover
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
1
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg 1000
Min
Max
All Fires
135
110
30
20
Min FI
70
70
20
Max FI
200
175
35
Probability
0.007407
0.009091
0.033333
0.04983
Percent of All Fires
15
18
67
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Crowe, E.; Clausnitzer, R. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla and
Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 299 p.
Heyerdahl, Emily K. and James K. Agee. 1996. Historical fire regimes of four sites in the Blue Mountains,
Oregon and Washington. Final Report, University of Washington, Seattle. 173 p
Johnson, C.G. and Clausnitzer, R.R. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. P6-ERW­
TP-036-92. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 164 pp + appendices.
Johnson, C.G. and Simon, S.A. 1986. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake province. R6-ECOL-TP­
255b-86. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 272 pp + appendices.
Hopkins, W.E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. USDA Forest Service R6 Ecol 79­
004. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland Oergon. 106 p., illus.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 27 of 236
Hopkins, W.E. 1979b. Plant associations of the south Chiloquin and Klamath Ranger Districts, Winema
National Forest. USDA Forest ServiceR6 Ecol 79-005. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 96 p.,
illus.
Mauroka, K.R. 1994. Fire history of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies grandis stands in the Blue Mountains
of Oregon and Washington. M.S. Thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 73 p.
Volland, L.A. 1988. Plant communities of the central Oregon pumice zone. R-6 Area Guide 4-2. Portland,
OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 113 pp + appendices.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 28 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910460
Northern Rocky Mountain Subalpine
Woodland and Parkland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 David Swanson
Modeler 2
Modeler 3
Date
[email protected]
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
General Model Sources
PIAL
ABLA
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
6/13/2004
Reviewer anonymous
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Map Zones
9
7
1
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This woodland type occurs in the Blue Mountains, and in parts of the Oregon and Washington Cascades.
Biophysical Site Description
This BpS occurs at elevations above 7500 ft in the Blue Mountains and above 5000 ft in the Cascades.
Communities are typically on ridge crests, shoulders, or upper slopes on relatively dry, stony soils, often on
south aspects.
Vegetation Description
Whitebark pine is the dominant tree, but usually in open stands with canopy cover of less than 60%.
Subalpine fir is frequently present as an understory tree, occasionally with lodgepole pine, subalpine larch,
or Englemann spruce; fir and lodgepole pine also occur occasionally with whitebark pine as co-dominants.
Grouse huckleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) or other low shrubs (Ribes, Phyllodoce, Juniperus,
Arctostaphylos) are often present, and also a sparse, low herbaceous layer of sedges, rushes, grasses, and
forbs. Some common herbaceous species include Arenaria aculeata, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca
viridula, Lupinus sp., Luzula sp., and Polemonium pulcherrimum.
Disturbance Description
The fire regime in this group is highly variable and difficult to document. Lightning strikes are common on
the ridges where these communities occur, but discontinuous fuels limit the spread of most fires and
produce fires of highly variable severity. Infrequent severe crown fires in fir forests located downslope can
spread into forests of this group and cause larger, more uniform stand-replacement fires.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This type usually occurs above subapline fir or lodgpole pine (seral to subalpine fir) forest, and may occur
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 29 of 236
among patches of alpine meadow and grasslands.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Fires in this type can occur in very small patches associated with lightning strikes. Ignitions of this type are
probably quite common but typically do not spread beyond 10's to 100's of acres. Much larger fires can
occur less frequently when extensive crown fires in subalpine fir forests spread upslope into whitebark pine
woodlands.
Issues/Problems
We are uncertain about the fire return intervals and succession rates in the group. Several literature sources
indicate fire return intervals of about 30-90 years, but the proportion of mixed fires versus stand
replacement is unknown.
We lack data for stands of intermediate age (i.e. 50 years since fire), so we did not try to assign any mid­
seral states. Instead we just assigned prolonged succession (100 years) from early to late states.
We did not deal completely with subalpine larch in this type. Larch can occur in whitebark pine-dominated
communities with fire regimes and succession similar to what is described in this model, but it is more
common on moister sites, northerly aspects, sites with late-lying snow, etc. These have a fire regime and
states not adequately described by this model.
Comments
This model was imported directly from R#SAWD - Subalpine woodland.
Vegetation Classes Class A
25 %
Early1 All Structures
Description
Resprouting shrubs and herbs
dominate. Tree seedlings and
saplings (<10 cm dbh whitebark
pine, subalpine fire, and lodgepole
pine) are often present at low
cover. Scattered old whitebark
pine (>30 cm dbh) are sometimes
present. Succession to Class C
after about 100 years.
Replacement fire about every 350
years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
VASC Upper POPU3 Middle FEVI
Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
20 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 3.0m
Tree Size Class
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Scattered old whitebark trees may over-top the
herbs and shrubs that dominate. The
herb/shrub canopy is usually less than a meter,
but may reach up to 2m.
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 30 of 236
Class B
20 %
Late Development 2 Closed
Description
Whitebark pine and subalpine fir
are present in the overstory with
dbh greater than 30 cm. Some of
the pines have ages of over 100
years (often much older), while the
co-dominant firs are younger,
sometimes less than 100 years.
Understory trees (<30 cm dbh) are
mostly subalpine fir. Maintains in
this class through insect/disease
outbreaks (mean interval = 200
years). Mixed fire (MFR=60
years) and replacement fire
(MFR=200 years).
Class C
55 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Multi-age whitebark pine occurs
with the overstory containing some
trees over 100 years old (often
much older) and dbh >30 cm. Tree
seedlings and saplings (<10 cm
dbh) are subalpine fir and
whitebark pine, with the former
predominant. Tree seedlings
increase with time since fire. The
understory is low shrubs and
herbs. Succession to Class B after
about 100 years. Insect/disease
(Mean Interval = 200 years) and
mixed fire (MFR=60years)
maintain in an open state.
Replacement fire about every 500
years.
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PIAL
Upper
VASC Low-Mid
POPU3 Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
21 %
Cover
Height
Max
60 %
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 25m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIAL
ABLA
VASC
POPU3
Upper
Upper
Middle
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
21 %
Max
50 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
%
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
None
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 31 of 236
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Height
Description
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
%
%
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
300
80
200
35
400
120
63
Probability
Percent of All Fires
0.003333
0.0125
21
79
0.01584
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Horthwest forests. Island Press, Washington DC, 493 pp.
Arno S.F. 1980. Forest fire history in the northern Rockies. Journal of Forestry 78(8):460-465.
Johnson, C.G. 2004. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the Wallowa, Seven Devils, and Blue Mountains.
USDA Forest Service R6-NR-ECOL-TP-03-04, 612 pp plus appendices.
Lillybridge T.R., Kovalchik B.L., Williams C.K., Smith B.G. 1995. Field guide for forested plant
associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Resarch Station
General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 32 of 236
Morgan P., Bunting S.C. 1990. Fire effects in whitebark pine forests. Pp. 166-170 in: Schmidt W.C.,
McDonald K.J. (eds.) Proceedings: Sumposium on whitebark pine ecosystems: Ecology and management of
a high-mountain resources. USDA Forest Service Genreal Technical Report INT-270.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency,
replacement severity.
Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 33 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910470
Northern Rocky Mountain Western HemlockWestern Red-cedar Forest
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Simpson
Modeler 2 Dave Swanson
Modeler 3 Dave Powell
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
10/5/2005
Reviewer Bruce Hostetler
Reviewer
[email protected]
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
General Model Sources
ABGR
PSME
PIPO
LAOC
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
8
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This type is modal in MZ10. It also occurs on stream and river canyons in the foothills of the Blues and of
the Northern Rockies. If this type occurs in mz08, it would occur in the foothills of Yakima and Klickitat
county, especially on stream slopes.
Biophysical Site Description
This type occurs above 25" precipitation zone in the Blue Mtns, and on a wide range of elevation. Soils are
commonly deep ash (2-3 feet) with high moisture content.
Vegetation Description
Includes ABGR, ABCO, and PSME with various amounts of LAOC, PIPO, CADE3, PIEN, TABR, or
PICO. ABCO hybridizes with ABGR throughout the Blue Mtns. Important understory associates are
ASCA3, CLUN, LIBO2, VAME, ACGL, and TRCA3.
Disturbance Description
Fire Regime is mixed (III). Average Fire return intervals range from approximately 45 years at the warm
dry end of this PNVG to approximately 100 years at the transition to ABLA2 or TSME in the Wallowas and
ABLA2 in the Blue Mountains. Insect and disease interactions are important in the mid and late closed
conditions. Important insect and diseases include fir engraver, Douglas-fir beetle, armillaria and other root
diseases, stem decay caused by indian paint fungus and defoliating insects (western spruce budworm,
Douglas-fir tussock moth and larch casebearer). Root diseases occur in smaller patches (<100 ha) and
attacks all age classes, while bark beetles cause mid-sized patches (<1000 ha), especially older trees.
Defoliators can cause patches in the same size range as the replacement fires, primarily effecting younger
trees.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 34 of 236
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This BpS occurs below Subalpine Fir and above Dry Mixed Conifer (Pine Dominated ) in the Blue Mtns.
Management in the '60s and '70s planted more ponderosa pines than were originally present. These pines
are now showing extensive snow and ice damage. There was likely more larch in the past than presently
occurs, due either to high-grading, or to preferential removal for domestic uses. Also, blister rust has
removed much of the white pine.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Scale Description
Stand Replacement fire occurs in large events covering 1,000 - 10,000 acre patches.
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
This MCON type occurs on the cool moist sites, while (N.Rocky Mtn. Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer
Forest (1045) occurs on warm dry sites.
Comments
This model was derived from the R#MCONms. Review of an initial model (with Dave Swanson) resulted in
the conversion of the deterministic succession from Class D to E, into a time-since-disturbance transition.
Vegetation Classes Class A
15 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Shrub communities usually
dominate following stand
replacement disturbance. Important
species vary by ecoregion. ACGL,
CEVE and PHMA are important in
the Blue Mountains. [Succession
to class B after 30 years.
Replacement fire MFRI 500 years.
Some sites are limited, or shrub
dominated (due to a reburn) and
succeed to class C] These shrub
fields (CEVE, SASC)) may recycle
in A for extended periods of time.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CEVE
ACGL
SASC
PHMA
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Cover
Shrub 0.6m
Tree Size Class
Shrub 3.0m
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
5
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 35 of 236
Class B
40 %
Mid1 Closed
Description
This class is the primary direction
of succession from class A. Class B
is Pole to Small in size (5-20").
These sites have prolific
reproduction and quickly close.
Class B is dominated by various
mixtures of shade tolerant and
intolerant conifers. Species vary by
ecoregion. PSME and/or ABGR
have higher cover than LAOC,
PIPO, PIMO or PICO.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PSME
ABGR
PIPO
LAOC
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
51 %
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
[Succession to E after 70 years in
this class. Replacement fire MFRI
250 years. Mixed fire opens it up
to class C (MFRI 250 years).
Other disturbances (insect/disease ­
such as defoliators, wind/stress)
also open up the stands class C.]
Class C
10 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Small amounts of this PNVG do
not immediately close or are
created by mixed fire and
insect/disease in Class B. Class C is
Pole -Small in size (5-20") with
Shade intolerant species are
dominant. PIPO, LAOC are more
important components than PSME
and ABGR or ABCO in this
Class. [Succession to class D after
50 years in this class. Replacement
fire MFRI 100 years. Surface
(MFRI 50 years) and Mixed (MFRI
60-70 years) fires maintain the
patch in class C. If there has been
no fire for 40 years, the patch will
transition to class B.]
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
LAOC
PSME
ABGR
Upper
Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
50 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
9
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 36 of 236
Class D
10 %
Late1 Open
Description
Class D is created by mixed fire
and insect/ disease in class E or
development of Class C. Size of
this class is large (over 20”) but
canopy closure is low and sites may
be single or multiple canopied.
PSME, PIPO, and LAOC are more
important than ABGR or ABCO in
this Class. [Maintains in this with
disturbance. Replacement fire
MFRI 350 years. Mixed fire MFRI
100 years maintains in class D.
Insect/disease, including bark
beetles, (probability/yr 0.008)
attacks the older trees and
transitions the stand to class C.]
Surface fire is rare, and maintains
in Class D. There is occasional
wind/snow damage that maintains
in Class D.] After 40 years without
fire, the stand will close in to Class
E.
Class E
25 %
Late1 Closed
Description
Large trees dominate class E.
Stands typically have multiple
canopies. Species composition may
be mixed shade tolerant species or
include minor amounts of shade
intolerant pines or larch.
[Replacement fire MFRI 150
years. Mixed fire (MFRI 100
years) opens up the stand and
transitions it to class D. Insects,
including bark beetles, usually
removes the older trees and opens
the stand up to class C, though
sometimes merely opens to Class
D.]
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PSME
PIPO
LAOC
ABGR
Upper
Upper
Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
0%
Cover
Height
Max
50 %
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree >50.1m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
9
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABGR
PSME
PIPO
LAOC
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
100 %
Min
51 %
Cover
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree >50.1m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
10
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 37 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Min FI
200
150
400
71
Max FI
Probability
0.005
0.006667
0.0025
0.01417
Percent of All Fires
35
47
18
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Burleson, Wade. 1981 (unpublished report) North Slope Fire Frequency -- Western Ochoco Mountains.
Camp, A., C. Oliver, P. Hessburg, and R. Everett. Predicting late-successional fire refugia pre-dating
European settlement in the Wenatchee Mountains. For. Ecol. Manage. 95: 63-77.
Lehmkuhl, J.F., Hessburg, P.F., Evertt, R.L., Huff, M,H., and Ottmar, R.D. 1994. Historical and Current
Forest Landscapes of Eastern Oregon and Washington. Part 1: Vegetation Pattern and Insect and Disease
Hazards, PNW-GTR-328. Portland, OR, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 88p.
Hessburg, P.F., Mitchell, R.G., and Filip, G.M. 1994. Historical and Current Roles of Insects and Pathogens
in Eastern Oregon and Washington Forested Landscapes. PNW-GTR-327. Portland, OR, USDA Forest
Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 72p.
Hessl A. E., D. McKenzie, R. Schellhaus. 2004. Drought and pacific decadal oscillation linked to fire
occurrence in the inland Pacific Northwest. Ecological Applications, 14(2), 2004, pp. 425-442.
Hummel, S.; Agee, J.K. 2003. Western spruce budworm defoliation effects on forest structure and potential
fire behavior. Northwest Science. 77(2): 159-169.
Johnson, C.G. and Clausnitzer, R.R. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. P6-ERW­
TP-036-92. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 164 pp + appendices.
Johnson, C.G. and Simon, S.A. 1986. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake province. R6-ECOL-TP­
255b-86. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 272 pp + appendices.
Simon, Steven A. 1991. Fire history in the Jefferson Wilderness Area east of the Cascade Crest. Final report
to the Deschutes National Forest Fire Staff. 29 pp.
Volland, Lenny. 1982. Plant Associations of the Central Oregon Pumice Zone. R6-ECOL-104-1982
Volland, Lenny. Ecology Plot Data Unpublished Data Collected Mid 1960's to Mid 1970's
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 38 of 236
Wickman, B. E., R. R. Mason, and T. W. Swetnam 1994. pages 251-261. Searching for long-term patterns of
forest insect outbreaks. In: S. R. Leather, K. F. A. Walters, N. J. Mills, and A. D. Watt, eds., Individuals,
Populations and Patterns in Ecology, Intercept Press, Andover, United Kingdom.
Wright, C. S. and J. K. Agee. 2004. Fire and vegetation history in the eastern cascade mountains,
Washington. Ecological Applications, 14(2) pp. 443-459.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency,
replacement severity.
Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 39 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910531
Northern Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine
Woodland and Savanna - MESIC
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models: Suggest splitting into a mesic and xeric. This model is mesic and more commonly
found in MZ 9. Represented by shorter mfri than xeric in areas with > 17" precip.
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Simpson
Modeler 2 James Dickinson
Modeler 3 Dave Owens
Date
10/4/2005
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reviewer Bruce Hostetler
Reviewer
[email protected]
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
PIPO
FEID
CEVE
PUTR
General Model Sources
POSA
AMAL
SYAL
CAGE
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Dry ponderosa pine forests extend from south-central and eastern Oregon to eastern Washington. They are
an important forest type along the eastern flank of the Cascade Range extending eastward in the Blue and
Wallowa Mountains of Oregon. In eastern Washington they occur in extensive tracks in the Okanogan
highlands and near Spokane.
Biophysical Site Description
The Dry Ponderosa Pine mesic sub-type occurs between 600m (Washington) to 2000m (Oregon) elevation
respectively. Precipitation varies between 40 to 60 cm/yr with the majority occurring as snowfall during the
winter. Soil types include a range of parent materials having coarse and fine textures. In central Oregon,
these forests commonly occur on sites characterized by shallow deposits of Mazama pumice and ash.
Western juniper vegetation types are the only forest types occurring on sites drier than the Dry Ponderosa
Pine forests.
Vegetation Description
The Dry Ponderosa Forest mesic sub-type consist of nearly pure, self-replacing stands. Older stands
typically include multiple size and age cohorts shaped by frequent surface and mixed fire severities. Evenage stands were an important component but less common under pre-European settlement conditions.
Other species in these stands including aspen, lodgepole, and western juniper were generally restricted to
unique moisture, edaphic, or topo-edaphic conditions. Understory composition consisted of relatively few
species and was dominated by Festuca idahoensis. Purshia tridentata may be locally present, especially in
the western and northern extents of the range. Other grass species including Stipa comata, Agropyron
spicatum, and Poa spp., and shrub species including Ceanothus velutinus and Arctostaphylos patula were
important understory species within the dry ponderosa forest subtype.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 44 of 236
Disturbance Description
Fire is the most important disturbance agent shaping Dry Ponderosa Pine forests. Surface, mixed, and standreplacing fire were common types of disturbance in these forests during pre-EuroAmerican settlement
conditions. Native Americans and lightning were important ignition sources during the pre-settlement era.
Surface fires occurred with a Mean Fire Return Interval (MFRI) frequency 2 to 10 years. Mixed-fire return
intervals ranged from approximately 25-75 years with stand-replacing fires occurring at a MFRI of > 100
years. Other common disturbance agents include bark beetle (Dendroctonus spp.), dwarf mistletoe, and
Pandora moth. Bark beetle are the most destructive insects infesting ponderosa pine in these forests where
outbreaks can result in high tree mortality over 100s to 1000s of ha. Western pine beetle is the most
important and preferentially attacks large trees (late successional closed and open stands). Mistletoe can
cause tree mortality among younger and smaller trees but rarely mature trees which do experience radial
growth reductions. Pandora moth defoliation results in suppressed tree growth but rarely in tree mortality.
In general each of these disturbance agents is more destructive under high tree densities resulting in resource
competition among trees, and during drought conditions.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
These forests are bounded by ponderosa pine dominated mixed-conifer forests at higher (more mesic)
elevations and by western juniper woodlands or sagebrush steppe at lower (drier) elevations. In central
Oregon, the pumice lodgepole pine forest type subdivides the dry ponderosa pine forests into a west and east
branch east of Crater Lake.
This BpS is distinct from Ponderosa Pine xeric (RA - R#PIPOxe; LANDFIRE 091053xeric) in that it
typically occurs in regions with >45cm/year precipitation. Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Cover > %80 is uncharacteristic and might be mixed conifer
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Most of this BpS consists of open stands maintained by surface and mixed fires. These stands occur at
patches up to tens of thousands of acres. However, the disturbances themselves impact smaller areas in the
thousands of acres.
Issues/Problems
Ponderosa pine forest types include the mesic subtype (described here) and the more xeric subtype located
in areas with less than 45 cm of precipitation/yr. These subtypes are differentiated based on distinctive fire
regimes (i.e., higher frequency for the mesic subtype). These subtypes also differ based on stand structure
and understory associations.
The most important question is the spatial extent of the combined subtypes. Empirical data do seem to
justify the subdivision of these subtypes based on the different fire regimes and mapping appears possible
using the 17" (45 cm) isohyet. We believe they deserve inclusion, if not in this version then certainly in a
later more specific iteration.
Comments
As a result of national QC, the TSD of 8 years associated w/ mixed severity fire in A was removed. This
was intended to only allow mixed fire after sufficient fuel build-up, but does not conform to LANDFIRE
rules. This slightly changed the porportion of the landscape in class B from 5 to 10% and in class C from 35
to 30% and increased the MFRI for mixed fires from 33 to 35 years.
Oct. 4 Update: Amy Waltz ([email protected]) and Kori Buford ([email protected]) also helped with the
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 45 of 236
model. The RA model (R#PIPOme) was adapted for Landfire. Modifications were made to the time within
seral stage B with the thought it takes longer for trees in dense stands to reach larger structural stage classes.
Insects and disease disturbances were added to seral stages B & E.
Review resulted in the addition of a transition from Class B to Class C for Mtn pine beetle outbreaks. The
added transition (at 0.005 probability) did not effect the outcomes of landscape proportion or fire regime
statistics.
Vegetation Classes Class A
10 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Post-disturbance regeneration
consisting of seedling to sapling
sized trees ( <1 to 4 cm dbh; < 1.4
m ht.) 0 to 20 years old.
[Succession to class C after 20
years. Replacement fire resets to
time zero (MFRI 25 years). After
8-10 years without fire fuels are
thick enough to carry a mixed fire
which maintains in class A (MFRI
7-8 years). After 18 years, any
patch that has not burned (at mixed
severity) will succeed to class B.]
Class B
10 %
Mid Development 1 Closed
Description
Young (20-169 years) closed
canopy stands consisting of trees
between 4 to 10 cm dbh.
Understory density lower than that
found in Class A as a result of
canopy closure and lower light
conditions. [Succession to class E
after 150 years in this class.
Replacement fire MFRI 100 years
resets to class A. Surface fire
(MFRI 30 years) maintains in class
B. Mixed fire (MFRI 60-70 years)
opens the stand up to class C.]
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
Upper FEID
Upper PUTR2 Upper Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
0%
Max
30 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 1.0m
Tree Size Class
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
5
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
Upper
PUTR2 Middle
Lower
FEID
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
41 %
Max
80 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
9
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 46 of 236
Class C
30 %
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Open canopy stands consisting of
multiple cohorts of young to
intermediate-aged trees (20-124
years). Younger trees range in
diameter from 10 to 20 cm dbh;
older, canopy dominant trees are
20 to 40 cm dbh. [Succession to
class D after about 100 years.
Replacement fire (MFRI 300-350
years). Surface (MFRI 6-7 years)
and mixed fires (MFRI 50 years)
maintain the stand in class C. If a
patch goes 20 years with no fire,
then it will fill in to class B.]
Class D
45 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Mature open canopy stands
supporting multiple size and age
cohorts. Tree sizes occur in a
range of sizes > 30 cm dbh. Tree
ages range from 125 to > 300
years. Also represents the mature
fire maintained open stands of
Douglas Fir (PSME) in the dry-site
mixed conifer associations.
[Maintains in class D.
Replacement fire (MFRI 400 years)
resets to class A. Surface (MFRI 6­
7 years) and mixed fires (MFRI 60­
70 years) and insect/disease
(MFR=200yrs) maintain the stand
in class D. If a patch goes 20 years
with no fire, then it will fill in to
class E.]
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PIPO
PUTR2
FEID
CEVE
Upper
Middle
Lower
Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
10 %
Max
40 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
PUTR2
FEID
CEVE
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Upper
Middle
Lower
Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
40 %
Min
10 %
Cover
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 47 of 236
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
5%
Late Development 1 Closed
Description
Late successional closed canopy
stands consisting of young to
mature trees (170+ years) greater
than 30 cm dbh. These stands are
rare and may include some canopy
gaps caused by individual tree
mortality. [Maintains in class E.
Replacement fire (MFRI 33 years)
resets to class A. Surface (MFRI
30 years) and mixed fires (MFRI
40 years) open the stand to class
D. Insect/disease (MFR=100
years) has equal chance to open the
stand to Class D as to Class C ­
occasionally favoring the older
trees.]
PIPO
Upper
PUTR2 Middle
FEID
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
41 %
Cover
Height
Max
80 %
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
1
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Avg FI
Min FI
125
35
8
6
100
28
2
Max FI
75
10
Probability
Percent of All Fires
0.008
0.028571
0.125
0.16157
5
18
77
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire Ecology of Pacific Northwest Forests. Island Press, Covelo, CA. 493 p.
Arabas, K.B., Hadley, K.S., and Larson, E.R. (in prep.) Fire history of a naturally fragmented landscape in
central Oregon.
Bork, B.J. 1979. Historic Fires in the Central Western Cascades, Oregon. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State
University, Covallis, OR.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 48 of 236
Franklin, J.F. and Dyrness, C.T. 1988. Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington. Second Edition.
Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon.
Heyerdahl et al. 2001. Spatial controls of historic fire regimes: a multiscale example from the interior West,
USA. Ecology 82: 660-678.
McCauley, P. 1993. Deschutes National Forest Fire History 1908-1992. Unpublished Report. USFS,
Deschutes National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Bend, OR
Morrow, R.J. 1985. Age Structure and Spatial Pattern of Old-Growth Ponderosa Pine in Pringle Falls
Experimental Forest, Central Oregon. M.S. Thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 49 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910532
Northern Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine
Woodland and Savanna - XERIC
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models: Suggest splitting into a mesic and xeric. This model is the xeric and more
commonly found in MZ 9. Represented by longer mfri than mesic in areas with <
17" precip.
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Simpson
Modeler 2 Dave Owens
Modeler 3 James Dickinson
Date
10/4/2005
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reviewer Bruce Hostetler
Reviewer
[email protected]
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
General Model Sources
PIPO
ARTR
CELE
JUOC
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This BpS occurs in the forest shrub steppe interface along the east side of the Fremont and Deschutes
National Forests and along the southern fringe of the Blue Mountains to the Idaho border.
Biophysical Site Description
This BpS occurs in precipitation zones between 15-17". This precipitation band reaches from the east side
of the Fremont NF north along the east side of the Deschutes NF to the south edge of the Blues, and east
along the Ochocos and Malheur NF. This type may occur in Idaho opposite the snake river.
Vegetation Description
Tree species common in this type are PIPO and JUOC. Minor amounts of PSME may occur. Understory
vegetation is dominated by ARTR, ARAR, CELE, PUTR. Important herbaceous species include FEID,
AGSP, SIHY, POSA and various Stipa species.
Disturbance Description
Mixed and stand Replacement Fires dominate this type. Large wind driven events originating in the shrub
steppe or Juniper Woodland vegetation zones heavily influence this BpS. Fire return intervals in this type
are more like adjacent shrub steppe or Juniper Woodland communities than typical low intensity frequent
fire PIPO communities.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Typically this vegetation type occurs between JUOC/ARTR, JUOC/ARAR, JUOC/ PUTR, ARTR, PUTR
and PIPO or Dry Mixed Conifer sites with frequent fire return intervals. These communities have higher
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 50 of 236
shrub components and longer fire return intervals with more of a mixed severity fire regime.
This type is distinct from Ponderosa Pine mesic (RA: R#PIPOm; LANDFIRE 091053mesic) in that it
typically occurs in regions with <45cm/year precipitation. This model is designed to address the mappable
pockets of PIPO that exist on low productivity, low moisture, high stress sites resulting in lower
reproductive rates and slower growth.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Scale Description
Stand replacement events can be tens of thousands of acres in size.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
This model attempts to capture the Forest - Shrub Steppe interface areas where lack of fuels continuity
increases the fire return intervals and significant dry shrub communities increase the occurrence of stand
replacement and mixed fires.
Comments
Oct. 4 Update: Amy Waltz ([email protected]) and Kori Buford ([email protected]) also helped with the
model. The RA model (R#PIPOxe) was adapted for Landfire w/o modification to the model but we
enhanced the descriptions and addressed reviewer comments (below) in Adjacency box.
Reviewers requested greater clarification between this model and R#PIPOm. Furthermore, it was suggested
that the replacement fire may occur too frequently resulting in too much mid-seral (classes B and C). A run
with reduced replacement fire (0.003 for open classes C and D; 0.01 for classes A, B and E) moved 15% of
the landscape from Class A and C into Class D, and nearly doubled the MFRI of replacement fires.
Vegetation Classes Class A
25 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Class A is a Grass/ Forb/Shrub and
Seedling Sapling Stage and Pole
(age 0 -49 yrs). Initial
establishment of grass and
herbaceous species (and CHVI if
present in the pre-disturbance
community) gives way to shrubs at
15-30 years. JUOC and PIPO are
often established after the shrub
community is in place. Re­
establishment of the trees may be
delayed by the large disturbance
size and removal of nearby seed
sources.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR
CHVI8
AGSP
ELEL5
Upper Middle Lower
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
50 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Pole 5-9" DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 51 of 236
Class B
5%
Mid1 Closed
Description
Class B represents Pole to Small
tree (5-20" dbh, age 50-149,
succession to Class E) dominated
sites with significant competition
between trees even though canopy
cover does not exceed 70%. Shrub
and herbaceous species are often
depauperate or declining in this
stage due to the competition from
overstory trees. This stage is
susceptible to mountain pine beetle
attack which cycles this stage to
Class C.
Class C
25 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Class C represents Pole to Small
tree (5-20" dbh, age 50-149)
dominated sites with open
canopies. Understories are more
vigorous than class B and have
similar species composition to class
A. If two or three fire cycles are
missed this stand would convert to
Class E.
Class D
40 %
Late1 Open
Description
Class D represents large trees
(20"+, age 150+) and open canopy
conditions. Often this gives a
Savanna-like appearance. Shrub
and herbaceous communities are
similar to Class A. If two or three
fire cycles are missed this stand
would convert to Class E.
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PIPO
JUOC
FEID
ARTR
Upper
Mid-Upper
Lower
Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
25 %
Cover
Height
Max
70 %
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 25m
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
ARTR
PUTR
AGSP
Upper
Middle
Middle
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
25 %
Min
0%
Cover
Tree 10.1m
Medium 9-21"DBH
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PIPO
ARTR
CELE3
ELEL5
Upper
Middle
Middle
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
25 %
Min
0%
Cover
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 52 of 236
Class E
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position 5%
Late1 Closed
Description
Class E (age 150+)occurs when
class D misses 2-3 fire intervals.
This stage is susceptible to western
pine beetle events which cycle this
stage to Class C.
PIPO
CELE3
JUOC
FEID
Upper
Middle
Mid-Upper
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
25 %
Cover
Height
Max
70 %
Tree 25.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Very Large >33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Min FI
130
100
300
48
Max FI
Probability
0.007692
0.01
0.003333
0.02103
Percent of All Fires
37
48
16
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Baker, William L., and Douglas J. Shinneman, 2003. Fire and restoration of pinon-juniper woodland in the
western United States: a review. Forest Ecology and Management 189 (1-21)
Hall, F.C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington.
USDA Forest Service R6 Area Guide 3-1. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 71 p.
Hopkins, W.E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. USDA Forest Service R6 Ecol 79­
004. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland Oergon. 106 p., illus.
Hopkins, W.E. 1979b. Plant associations of the south Chiloquin and Klamath Ranger Districts, Winema
National Forest. USDA Forest ServiceR6 Ecol 79-005. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 96 p.,
illus.
Johnson, C.G., Jr., and R.R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains.
USDA Forest Service R6 ERW-TP-036-92. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 207 p.
Johnson, C.G., Jr., and S.A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province. USDA Forest
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 53 of 236
Service R6 Ecol TP 255a-86. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 472 p. Johnson, Charles Grier Jr., and David K. Swanson, (review draft Sept 2004) Bunchgrass Plant Communities of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. A Guide for Managers. Miller, Richard and Jeffrey Rose, 1999. Fire History and western juniper encroachment in sagebrush steppe. J. Range Manage. 52:550-559. Volland, L.A. 1985. Plant associations of the central Oregon Pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R6 Ecol 104-1985. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon. 138 p. Volland, Lenny, Ecology Plot Data Unpublished Data Collected Mid 1960's to Mid 1970's.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 54 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910550
Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry-Mesic
Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland
Woodland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Dave Powell
Modeler 2 Dave Swanson
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 3
Reviewer
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
10/4/2005
General Model Sources
PICO
ABLA
PIEN
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This BpS occurs in the Blue Mountains of Washington, Blue and Ochoco Mountains in Oregon.
Biophysical Site Description
This forest type occurs at upper elevations (6000-8000 ft), on cold sites with short summer and frosty
growing seasons.
Vegetation Description
Some sites take a very long time to regenerate following reburn fires. Dense stands of lodgepole can
develop and survive for 100+ years. Old stands of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir can develop, but are
prone to insect and fire replacement.
Disturbance Description
Wildfires are less frequent than at lower elevations. Most fires are mixed severity or stand replacement
severity. Spruce beetle can play a significant role at both endemic and epidemic/outbreak levels. Balsam
woolly adelgid (an introduced insect) is currently causing high mortality. Mountain pine beetle can cause
high mortality of seral lodgepole pine forests. Windthrow is important in this environment.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Sub-alpine woodland occurs above this type, and wet or dry Mixed Con. (1045 or 1047) occurs below.
Dense, dog-hair lodgepole stands were not modeled in this type, but were left to be defined in the RM
Lodgepole model (1050).
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 55 of 236
If tree canopy closure is less than 10%, the site might be subalpine woodland/parkland (1046). Canopies
greater than 25m might be mesic spruce fir (1056).
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Stands often occur as large patches on upper slopes and break into stringers or islands as elevation nears
tree line.
Issues/Problems
Comments
This model was made from severe alteration of the R#SPFI model.
During review, Balsam woolly adelgid was removed from Class D to reflect pre-settlement conditions. The
model outcome was negligible.
Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early Development 1 Open
Description
Openings and meadows following
stand replacement fire. Poorly
stocked with lodgepole pine,
subalpine fir, and Englemann
spruce. Slow tree recruitment.
Trees 0-5" DBH. Dominant
understory species include grouse
huckleberry, heartleaf arnica, and
western needlegrass. Canopy
closure greater than 40% is
possible, but unlikely due to site
limitations in favor of rock, snow
and ice.
Class B
20 %
Mid Development 1 Closed
Description
Mid-sized mixed lodgepole pine,
fir and spruce stand. Trees mostly
6-15" DBH. Moderate lodgepole
regeneration leads to more closed
canopy than class C. Lodgepole
pines range in height up to 20m.
Some large spruce and fir may
persist from old stands that were
thinned by insects or wind.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
VASC Upper
ARCO9 Upper
ACOC3 Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
40 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PICO
ABLA
PIEN
PSME
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
31 %
Max
60 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 56 of 236
Class C
40 %
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Mid-sized mixed lodgepole, fir,
and spruce stand, closed canopy.
Trees mostly 6-15" DBH.
Lodgepole pines susceptible to
outbreaks of mountain pine beetle.
Lodgepole pines range in height up
to 20m.
Class D
25 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Mixed age stands dominated by
Engelmann spruce and subalpine
fir, with minor lodgepole pine.
Trees mostly 15+" DBH. Dominant
understory species include grouse
huckleberry, heartleaf arnica, and
western needlegrass. Spruce beetle
attacks mature spruce and fir,
moving the stand back to class C.
Mountain pine bark beetles attack
mainly the remaining old lodgepole
pines and result in maintenance of
class D.
Class E
10 %
Late Development 1 Closed
Description
Mixed age stands dominated by
Engelmann spruce and subalpine
fir, with minor lodgepole pine.
Trees mostly 15+" DBH.
Understory vegetation is sparse.
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PICO
ABLA
PIEN
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
11 %
Max
30 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLA
PIEN
PICO
VASC
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
40 %
Min
11 %
Cover
Tree 25m
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLA
PIEN
PICO
VASC
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
41 %
Cover
Height
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
70 %
Tree 25m
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 57 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
250
250
0.004
0.004
125
0.00801
Percent of All Fires
50
50
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Agee, James K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest forests. Washington, DC: Island Press. 493 p.
Heyerdahl, Emily K. and James K. Agee. 1996. Historical fire regimes of four sites in the Blue Mountains,
Oregon and Washington. Final Report, University of Washington, Seattle. 173 p.
Johnson, C.G. Jr. 2004. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the Wallowa, Seven Devils and Blue Mountains.
R6-NR-ECOL-TP-03-04. Portland, Oregon, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, 612 pp.
Johnson, C.G. and Clausnitzer, R.R. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. P6-ERW­
TP-036-92. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 164 pp + appendices.
Johnson, C.G. and Simon, S.A. 1986. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake province. R6-ECOL-TP­
255b-86. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 272 pp + appendices.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 58 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910620
Inter-Mountain Basins Mountain Mahogany
Woodland and Shrubland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jimmy Kagan
Modeler 2 Jon Bates
Date
10/5/2005
jimmy.kagan@oregonsta Reviewer Jeff Rose/Gregg
te.edu
Riegel
[email protected] Reviewer
du
Modeler 3 Reviewer
FRCC
Map Zones
9
Vegetation Type Forest and Woodland Dominant Species*
[email protected]
General Model Sources
CELE3
ARTR
PUTR2
SYMP Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Model Zones
Alaska
California Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
The Curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intermontanus) type occurs in eastern
Oregon, Northern Nevada, southern Idaho, northeastern California, (possibly eastern Washington), and
grades into similar systems in the central Rocky Mountains.
Biophysical Site Description
Curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intermontanus) is usually found on slopes,
ridges, rimrock and canyons between 2,000 to 8,000 ft. elevations (Marshall, 1995). Most stands are found
on rocky shallow soils and outcrops, with mature stand cover between 10-55%. In absence of fire, stands
may occur on somewhat deeper soils, with more than 55% cover.
Vegetation Description
Mountain big sagebrush is the most common codominant with curlleaf mountain mahogany. Curlleaf
mountain mahogany is both a primary early succssesional colonizer rapidly invading bare mineral soils after
disturbance and the dominant long-lived species. Where curlleaf mountain mahogany has reestablished
quickly after fire, rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) may co-dominate. Litter and shading by woody
plants inhibits establishment of curlleaf mountain mahogany. Reproduction often appears dependent upon
geographic variables (slope, aspect, and elevation) more than biotic factors. Snowberry, serviceberry, aspen
and currant are present on cooler sites with more moisture. Western juniper and ponderosa pine are often
present, with less than 10% total cover in forested zones. In old, closed-canopy stands understory may
consist largely of prickly phlox (Leptodactylon pungens), pinegrass, Idaho fescue or sherman big bluegrass.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT Page 76 of 236
Disturbance Description
There are three significant disturbances to this type of vegetation. Fire: Curlleaf mountain mahogany does
not resprout, and is killed easily by fire (Marshall 1995). (However, reviewers offered that resprouts have
been observed in south central, and south east Oregon.) Curlleaf mountain mahogany is a primary early
succssesional colonizer rapidly invading bare mineral soils after disturbance. Fires are not common in early
seral stages when there is little fuel. Replacement fires (mean FRI of 100-500 yrs) become more common in
mid-seral stands, where herbs and smaller shrubs provide ladder fuels. By late succession, two classes and
fire regimes are possible depending on the history of rare surface fires. In the presence of surface fire (FRI
of 100 yrs) and past mixed severity fires in younger classes, the stand will adopt a savanna-like woodland
structure with a grassy understory. Trees can become very old and will show fire scars. In late, closed
stands, the absence of herbs and small forbs makes replacement fires uncommon (FRI of 500 yrs), requiring
extreme winds and drought, because thick duff provides fuel for more intense fires. Mixed fires (mean FRI
of 50-100 yrs) are present in all classes, except the late closed one, and more frequent in the middevelopment classes. (Reviewers felt that the summed fire regime (MFRI- 76 yrs) seemed too frequent
(especially in the mountains in the south of MZ09), but they were unable to identify which of the sub-types
was contributing too much.)
Ungulate herbivory: Heavy browsing by native medium-sized and large mammals reduces mountain
mahogany productivity and reproduction (NRCS 2003). This is an important disturbance in early,
especially, and mid-seral stages, when mountain mahogany seedlings are becoming established. Browsing
by small mammals has been documented (Marshall 1995), but is relatively unimportant and was
incorporated as a minor component of native herbivory mortality.
Avian-caused mortality: In western Nevada for ranges in close proximity to the Sierra Nevada, sapsuckers
drilling of curlleaf mountain mahogany has been observed to cause stand replacement mortality (personal
communication, Christopher Ross, NV BLM). (Reviewers in Oregon commented that this disturbance is
extremely rare, and even then would be noticeable in small (1-5 acre) patches, not larger patches.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Birchleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides) is found in Klamath County, Oregon and adjacent
California, but is easily distinguished by leaf shape. Some existing curlleaf mountain mahogany stands may
be in the big sagebrush BpS, now uncharacteristic because of fire exclusion.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Because these communities are generally restricted to rock outcrops and thin soils, stands usually occur on a
small scale, and are spatially separated from each other by other communities that occur on different aspects
or soil types. A few curlleaf mountain mahogany stands may be much larger than 100 acres.
Issues/Problems
Data for the setback in succession caused by native grazing are lacking, but observed by experts; in the
model, only class A had a setback of -10, whereas no setback was specified for classes B and C, which do
not have many seedlings.
Several fire regimes affect this community type. It is clear that being very sensitive to fire and very longlived would suggest FRG V. This is true of late development classes (and, says reviewers, where sagebrush
is the adjacent type), but younger classes can resemble more the surrounding chaparral or sagebrush
communities in their fire behavior and exhibit a FRG IV. (Also, reviewers suggested that FRG IV applies
where this type is adjacent to pine or fir.) Experts had divergent opinions on this issue; some emphasized
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 77 of 236
infrequent and only stand replacing fires whereas others suggested more frequent replacement fires, mixed
severity fires, and surface fires. The current model is a compromise reflecting more frequent fire in early
development classes, surface fire in the late-open class, and infrequent fire in the late-closed class.
Comments
Model copied from R2MTMA.
Data from a thesis in Nevada and expert observations suggests some large mountain mahogany may survive
less intense fires. Therefore, surface fires were added as a disturbance to late seral stages, but this is a more
recent concept in curlleaf mountain mahogany ecology. Surface fires were assumed to occur on a very small
scale, perhaps caused by lightning strikes.
An extensive zone of mixed mountain mahogany and pinyon pine exists in western Nevada and Eastern
California, and perhaps elsewhere. This type was not incorporated into the model, and is probably more
appropriately included in the pinyon pine model.
Dealy (1978) described types from throughout eastern Oregon.
Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Curlleaf mountain mahogany
rapidly invades bare mineral soils
after fire. Litter and shading by
woody plants inhibits
establishment. Bunch grasses and
disturbance-tolerant forbs and
resprouting shrubs, such as
snowberry, may be present.
Rabbitbrush and sagebrush
seedlings are present. Replacement
fire (average FRI of 200 yrs),
mixed severity (average FRI of 100
yrs), and native herbivory (2 out
every 100 seedlings) of seedlings
all affect this class. Replacement
fire and native herbivory will reset
the ecological clock to zero. Mixed
severity fire does not affect
successional age. Succession to
class C after 10 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CELE3
ARTR2
CHRYS
SYMPH
Upper Upper Upper Upper Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
40 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Graniminoides and forbs are the dominant life
form for the first 3 years, but shrubs would
dominate the next years.
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 78 of 236
Class B
10 %
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CELE3 Upper
ARTRV
Middle
Description
PUTR2
Middle
Young curlleaf mountain mahogany
SYMPH
Middle
are common, although shrub
Upper Layer Lifeform
diversity is very high. Herbivores
clearly impact this type as it is very
Herbaceous
palatable. Replacement fire (mean
Shrub
FRI of 100 yrs) causes a transition
Tree
to class A. Mixed severity fire
Fuel Model
(mean FRI of 75 yrs) does not
cause a transition or setback.
Mid1 Open
Class C
15 %
Mid 1 Closed
Description
Curlleaf mountain mahogany is
dominant with mature sagebrush,
bitterbrush, snowberry, rabbitbrush
co-dominant. Few mountain
mahogany seedlings are present.
Replacement fire (mean FRI is 150
yrs) will cause a transition to class
A, whereas mixed severity fire
(mean FRI of 50 yrs) will thin this
class but not cause a transition to
another class. Native herbivory of
seedlings and young saplings
occurs at rate described in class A
but does not cause an ecological
setback or transition. Succession to
B mid-closed, after 40 about yrs.
Class D
40 %
Late1 Open
Description
Moderate cover of mountain
mahogany. This class represents
one of two late-successional
endpoints for curlleaf mountain
mahogany that is maintained by
infrequent surface fire (mean FRI
of 100 yrs). Evidence of fire scars
on older trees and presence of open
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CELE3 Upper
ARTRV Middle
CHRYS Middle
SYMPH Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
10 %
Cover
Height
Shrub 0.6m
Tree Size Class
Max
50 %
Shrub 1.0m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
50 %
Min
10 %
Cover
Shrub 1.1m
Tree Size Class
Shrub >3.1m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CELE3 Upper
ARTRV Mid-Upper
PUTR2 Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
11 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree Size Class
Max
40 %
Tree 5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 79 of 236
savanna-like woodlands with
herbaceous-dominated understory
are evidence for this condition.
Other shrub species may be
abundant, but decadent. In the
absence of fire for 200 yrs (2-3
FRIs for mixed severity and surface
fires), the stand will become closed
(transition to class E) and not
support a herbaceous understory.
Stand replacement fire every 300
yrs on average will cause a
transition to class A. Class D
maintains itself with infrequent
surface fire with trees reaching very
old age.
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
30 %
Late2 Closed
CELE3 Upper
Description
SYMPH Middle
High cover of large shrub- or tree­ ARTRV Middle
like mountain mahogany. Very few FEID
Lower
other shrubs are present, and herb
Upper Layer Lifeform
cover is low. Duff may be very
Herbaceous
deep. Scattered trees may occur in
Shrub
this class. Replacement fire every
Tree
500 yrs on average is the only
Fuel Model
disturbance and causes a transition
to class A. Class will become oldgrowth with trees reported to reach
1000+ years.
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
10 %
Tree 5.1m
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Max
60 %
Tree 10m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
4
Fire Intervals
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg
Min
Max
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
250
210
225
76
100
500
Probability
0.004
0.004762
0.004444
0.01321
Percent of All Fires
30
36
34
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 80 of 236
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References
Arno, S. F. and A. E. Wilson. 1986. Dating past fires in curlleaf mountain-mahogany communities. Journal of
Range Management 39:241-243.
Billings, W.D. 1994. Ecological impacts of cheatgrass and resultant fire on ecosystems in the western Great
Basin. In: Proc. Ecology and management of annual rangelands. USDA USFS GTR-INT-313.
Brown, J. K. and J. K. Smith, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep.
RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 257 p.
Dealy, J. E. 1975. Ecology of curl-leaf mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.) in Oregon and adjacent areas.
Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 168 pp.
Gruell, G., S. Bunting, and L. Neuenschwander. 1984. Influence of fire on curlleaf mountain mahogany in the
Intermountain West. Proc. Symposium on fire's effects on wildlife habitat. Missoula, Montana.
Marshall, K.A. 1995. Cercocarpus ledifolius. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer).
Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2004, November 16].
Monsen, S. B. and E. D. Mc Arthur. 1984. Factors influencing establishment of seeded broadleaf herbs and
shrubs following fire. Pp 112-124. In: K. Sanders and J. Durham (eds). Proc. Symp.: Rangelands fire effects.
USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Field Office, Boise, Idaho.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2003. Major land resource area 29. Southern Nevada Basin and
Ragne. Ecological site descriptions. US Department of Agriculture.
Peters, E. F. and S. C. Bunting. 1994. Fire conditions pre- and post-occurrence of annula grasses on the Snake
River plain. In: In: Proc. Ecology and management of annual rangelands. USDA USFS GTR-INT-313.
Schultz, B.W., R.J. Tausch, P.T. Tueller. 1996. Spatial relationships amoung young Cercocarpus ledifolius
(curlleaf mountain mahogany). Great Basin Naturalist 56: 261-266.
Tausch, R. J., P. E. Wigand, and J. W. Burkhardt. 1993. Viewpoint: Plant community thresholds, multiple
steady states, and multiple successional pathways: legacy of the Quaternary? Journal of Range Management
46:439-447.
Whisenant, S. G. 1990. Changing fire frequencies on Idaho's Snake River plains: Ecological and management
implications. In: Proc. Symp., Cheatgrass Invasion, shrub die-off, and other aspects of shrub biology and
management. USDS USFS INT 276, Ogden, Utah.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 81 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911530
Inter-Mountain Basins Greasewood Flat
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jeff Rose
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 2 John Foster
Modeler 3
Reviewer
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Wetlands/Riparian
Dominant Species*
4/22/2006
General Model Sources
SAVE4
DISTI
LECI4
ATCO
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Occurs throughout much of the western US in intermountain basins. Common in southern ID, Nevada and
Utah. Also occurs in eastern OR and possibly eastern WA.
Biophysical Site Description
This site occurs on alluvial flats or lake plains usually adjacent to playas. Sites typically have saline soils,
shallow water table, and flood intermittently, but remain dry for most growing seasons. The water table
remains high enough to maintain vegetation, despite salt accumulations. Slope gradients of less than 2
percent are most typical. Elevations are between 3800 and 5800 feet. Average annual precipitation is 5 - 8
inches, mean temperature is 45 - 50 degrees F, average growing season is 100 - 120 days. The surface layer
will normally crust, inhibiting water infiltration and seedling emergence.
Vegetation Description
This system sometimes occurs as a mosaic of multiple communities, with open to moderately-dense
shrublands dominated or co-dominated by Sarcobatus vermiculatus (greasewood). Atriplex confertifolia
(shadscale) may be present or co-dominant. Occurrences are often surrounded by mixed salt desert scrub.
Herbaceous layer, if present, is usually dominated by graminoids. There may be inclusions of Sporobolus
airoides (alkali sacaton), and Distichilis spicata (saltgrass). Vegetation on this site is normally restricted to
coppice mound areas that are surrounded by playa-like depressions or nearly level, usually barren, inner
spaces. Potential vegetative composition is about 15 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 80 percent
shrubs. As ecological condition declines herbaceous understory is reduced or eliminated and the site
becomes a community of halophytic shrub dominated by greasewood.
Disturbance Description
Historically, fire was extremely infrequent. May be killed by standing water that lasts greater than 40 days
based on observation of inundations of Lake Bonneville flats in 1983 (personal. observe., Gary Medlyn, Ely
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 185 of 236
BLM) (mean return interval of 150 years). Vigorous resprouter following low to moderate severity fires,
although severe fires may result in some mortality. Some re-seeding may occur from nearby remnant plants.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Halogeton is likely to invade this site.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Jeff Rose
Scale Description
Tens to 100,000 of acres.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
Comments
Local data in Oregon informed this three box model. The description was imported unchanged from MZ12
(authored by Sandy Gregory, Bryan Bracken and Jack Sheffey), except that the geographic range was
modified.
Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Immediately after a stand replacing
event, there is a relatively
homogenous distribution of
vegetation. Greasewood in
productive sites can resprout.
Some grasses, with greasewood
sprouts present. Some
representation of other sprouting
species may be present
(rabbitbrush). Grass species varies
geographically, squirreltail, and
alkali sacaton. Succession to class
B after 5 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ELEl4
LECI4
SPAI
SAVE4
Upper
Lower
Lower
Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
20 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
2
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 186 of 236
Class B
10 %
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Vegetation is still relatively evenly
distributed, though self-thinning
and sorting are beginning to occur.
Rabbitbrush is beginning to
decline. Basin wildrye also occurs
among the greasewood.
Replacement fire is rare (mean FRI
of 1000 years). Prolonged flooding
events (>40 days) will cause a
transition to class A (return interval
of 150 years).
Class C
85 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Greasewood shrubs are mature and
show clumping on mounds, or
mots. Rabbitbrush may still be
found. Grass component is
reduced. Various sagebrush
species and salt desert shrub
vegetation may occur (shadscale,
saltbushes, and budsage).
Greasewood communities stay in
this class indefinitely. Replacement
fire is rare (mean FRI of 1000
years). Prolonged flooding events
(>40 days) will cause a transition to
class A (return interval of 150
years).
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SAVE4
DISTI
SPAI
LECI4
Upper
Lower
Middle
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
11 %
Max
40 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 1.0m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
2
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SAVE4
DISTI
SPAI
LEIC4
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Upper
Lower
Middle
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
30 %
Min
0%
Cover
Shrub 1.1m
Shrub 3.0m
Tree Size Class
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 All Structures
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Description
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Min
0%
NONE
Max
0%
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 187 of 236
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late1 All Structures
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Description
Max
Min
Cover
%
NONE
Height
Tree Size Class None
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
%
NONE
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
5
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
1000
500
2000
Probability
0.001
Percent of All Fires
98
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
Avg 1
Min 1
Max 1
998
0.00102
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Anderson, Michelle D. 2004. Sarcobatus vermiculatus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory
(Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2005, December 2].
Blaisdell, J. P., and R. C. Holmgren. 1984. Managing intermountain rangelands-salt-desert shrub ranges.
General Technical Report INT-163. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment
Station, Ogden, UT. 52 pp.
Knight, D. H. 1994. Mountains and plains: Ecology of Wyoming landscapes. Yale University Press, New
Haven, MA. 338 pp.
NRCS Ecological Site Description 29A & B, Sodic Dune and Flat.
West, N. E. 1983. Intermountain salt desert shrublands. Pages 375-397 in: N. E. West, editor. Temperate
deserts and semi-deserts. Ecosystems of the world, Volume 5. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 188 of 236
Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model The Rapid Assessment is a component of the LANDFIRE project. Reference condition models for the Rapid Assessment were
created through a series of expert workshops and a peer-review process in 2004 and 2005. For more information, please visit
www.landfire.gov. Please direct questions to [email protected].
Potential Natural Vegetation Group (PNVG)
R2SBMTwc
Mountain Big Sagebrush with Conifers
General Information
Contributors (additional contributors may be listed under "Model Evolution and Comments")
Modelers
Reviewers
Don J. Major
Alan R. Sands
David Tart
Vegetation Type
Shrubland
Dominant Species*
ARTR
PUTR2
SYOR
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Stanley G. Kitchen
Michele Slaton
Peter Weisberg
General Model Sources
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
LANDFIRE Mapping Zones
12
17
13
18
16
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Rapid AssessmentModel Zones
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Pacific Northwest, Columbia Plateau, Northern Rockies, Great Basin
Biophysical Site Description
This type occupies moist, productive rolling upland sites. Elevation ranges from 3500' to 9000'. PNVG is
found to elevations of 10,000 ft in the White and Inyo Mountains, and on some areas of the eastern
escarpment of the Sierra Nevada. Mean annual precipitation is generally between 11 and 22 inches. Soils
are typically deep and have well developed dark organic surface horizons.
Mountain big sagebrush often occurs at ecotones with conifer forests (mid-high elevation) and meadow
habitats. At lower elevations mountain big sagebrush often occurs at ecotones with pinyon-juniper and
juniper woodlands. This PNVG, where adjacent to conifers, is readily invaded by conifers (ponderosa pine,
Douglas-fir, sub-alpine fir, whitebark pine, limber pine, pinyon-pine, juniper spp.) in the absence of historic
fire regimes (Miller and Rose 1999)
Vegetation Description
This vegetation type is a mosaic of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana or A.
tridentata var. pauciflora depending on taxonomic choices) and herbaceous communities where conifers can
potentially establish. Codominant shrubs can include antelope bitterbrush, mountain snowberry, and viscid
rabbitbrush. Graminoids are very diverse. Dominant graminoids include Idaho fescue, bluebunch
wheatgrass, mountain brome, needlegrasses, slender wheatgrass, bluegrasses, or rough fescue. Among the
large number of possible forb species, common forbs may include sulphur buckwheat, pussytoes, lupine,
phlox, arrowleaf balsamroot, prairie smoke, and sticky geranium. Mueggler and Stewart (1980), Hironaka
et al. (1983), and Tart (1996) described several of these types.
Disturbance Description
Mean fire return intervals in and recovery times of mountain big sagebrush are subjects of lively debate in
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 1 of 6
recent years (Welch and Criddle 2003). Mountain big sagebrush communities were historically subject to
stand replacing fires with a mean return interval ranging from 10 years at the Ponderosa pine ecotone, 40+
years at the Wyoming big sagebrush ecotone, and up to 80 years in areas with a higher proportion of low
sagebrush in the landscape (Crawford et al. 2004, Johnson 2000, Miller et al. 1994, Burkhardt and Tisdale
1969 and 1976, Houston 1973, Miller and Rose 1995, Miller et al. 2000). Under pre-settlement conditions
mosaic burns generally exceeded 75% topkill due to the relatively continuous herbaceous layer. Brown
(1982) reported that fire ignition and spread in big sagebrush is largely (90%) a function of herbaceous
cover. These communities were also subject to periodic mortality due to insects, disease, rodent outbreaks,
drought, and winterkill (Winward 2004). Periodic mortality events may result in either stand-replacement or
patchy die-off depending on the spatial extent and distribution of these generally rare (50 to 100 years)
events.
Recovery rates for shrub canopy cover very widely in this type, depending post fire weather conditions,
sagebrush seed-bank survival, abundance of resprouting shrubs (e.g., snowberry, bitterbrush), and size and
severity of the burn. Mountain big sagebrush typically reaches 5% canopy cover in 8 to 14 years. This may
take as little as 4 years under favorable conditions and longer than 25 years in unfavorable situations
(Pedersen et al. 2003, Miller unpublished data). Mountain big sagebrush typically reaches 25% canopy
cover in about 25 years, but this may take as few as nine years or longer than 40 years (Winward 1991,
Pedersen et al. 2003, Miller unpublished data). Mountain snowberry and resprouting forms of bitterbrush
may return to pre-burn cover values in a few years. Bitterbrush plants less than fifty years old are more
likely to resprout than older plants (Simon 1990).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This type may be adjacent to forests dominated by aspen, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, limber pine,
bristlecone pine, or lodgepole pine. It also occurs adjacent to pinyon-juniper woodlands. This type
probably served as an ignition source for adjacent aspen stands. Mountain big sagebrush is commonly found
adjacent or intermingled with low sagebrush and mountain shrublands.
At lower elevational limits on southern exposures there is a high potential for cheatgrass invasion/occupancy
where the native herbaceous layer is depleted. This post-settlement, uncharacteristic condition is not
considered here.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Literature
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
This type occupies areas ranging in size from 10's to 10,000's of acres. Disturbance patch size can also
range from 10,s to 1,000's of acres. The distribution of past burns was assumed to consist of many small
patches in the landscape.
Issues/Problems
Reviewers and modelers had very different opinions on the range of mean FRIs and mountain big sagebrush
recovery times (see Welch and Criddle 2003). It is increasingly agreed upon that a MFI of 20 years, which
used to be the accepted norm, is simply too frequent to sustain populations of Greater Sage Grouse and
mountain big sagebrush ecosystems whose recovery time varies from 10-70 years. Reviewers consistently
suggested longer FRIs and recovery times. The revised model is a compromise with longer recovery times
and FRIs. Modeler and reviewers also disagreed on the choice of FRG: II (modeler) vs. IV (reviewers).
Model Evolution and Comments
Additional modeler included Steven Bunting ([email protected]).
The first three development classes chosen for this PNVG correspond to the early, mid-, and late seral stages
familiar to range ecologists. The two classes with conifer invasion (classes D and E) approximately
correspond to Miller and Tausch's (2001) phases 2 and 3 of pinyon and juniper invasion into shrublands. A
PNVG for mountain big sagebrush without tree invasion (R2SBMT; due to high elevation or soils) was
developed.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 2 of 6
Resprouting bitterbrush in mountain big sagebrush types is potentially important to wildlife in early stand
development.
Succession Classes**
Succession classes are the equivalent of "Vegetation Fuel Classes" as defined in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (www.frcc.gov).
Class A
20 %
Early1 PostRep
Description
Herbaceous vegetation is the
dominant lifeform. Herbaceous
cover is variable but typically
>50% (50-80%). Shrub cover is 0
to 5%. Replacement fire (mean
FRI of 80 years) setbacks
succession by 12 years. Succession
to class B after 12 years.
Class B
50 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Shrubs are the dominant lifeform.
Shrub cover 6-25%. Mountain big
sagebrush cover up to 20%.
Herbaceous cover is typically
>50%. Initiation of conifer
seedling establishment. Mean FRI
for replacement fire is 40 years.
Succession to class C after 37 years.
Class C
15 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Shrubs are the dominant lifeform.
Shrub cover 26-45+%. Herbaceous
cover is typically <50%. Conifer
(juniper, pinyon-juniper, ponderosa
pine, or Douglas-fir) cover <10%.
Insects and disease every 75 yrs on
average will thin the stand and
cause a transition to class B.
Replacement fire occurs every 50
years on average. In the absence of
fire for 80 years, vegetation will
transition to class D. Otherwise,
succession keeps vegetation in
class C indefinitely.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
PSSP6 FEID
SYMPH
ARTRV
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
ARTRV
PUTR2
CONIF
SYMPH
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
25 %
no data
Min
6%
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTRV
PUTR2
SYMPH
CONIF
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
5%
Min
0%
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
26 %
no data
Max
45 %
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 3 of 6
Class D
10 %
Late1 Open
Description
Conifers are the dominant lifeform
(juniper, pinyon-juniper, ponderosa
pine, limber pine, or Douglas-fir).
Conifer cover is 11- 25%. Shrub
cover generally decreasing but
remains between 26-40%.
Herbaceous cover <30%. The
mean FRI of replacement fire is 50
years. Insects/diseases thin the
sagebrush, but not the conifers,
every 75 years on average, without
causing a transition to other
classes. Succession is from C to D
after 44 years.
Class E
5%
Late1 Closed
Description
Conifers are the dominant lifeform
(juniper, ponderosa pine, or
Douglas-fir).
Conifer cover 26-80% (pinyon­
juniper 36-80%(Miller and Tausch
2000), juniper 26-40% (Miller and
Rose 1999), Douglas-fir 26-80%)
Shrub cover 0-20%. Herbaceous
cover <20%. The FRI for
replacement fire is longer than in
previous states (75 yrs). Conifers
are susceptible to insects/diseases
that cause diebacks (transition to
class D) every 75 years on average.
Succession from class E to E.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
CONIF
ARTRV
PUTR2
SYMPH
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
25 %
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
CONIF
ARTRV
PUTR2
SYMPH
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
10 %
Min
26 %
no data
Max
80 %
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 4 of 6
Disturbances Modeled
Fire
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other:
Other
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg: no data
Min: no data
Max: no data
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Fire Regime Group: 4
I: 0-35 year frequency, low and mixed severity
II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity
III: 35-200 year frequency, low and mixed severity
IV: 35-200 year frequency, replacement severity
V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity
Fire Intervals (FI)
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. All values are
estimates and not precise.
Replacement
Avg FI
Min FI
49
15
Max FI
Probability
100
0.02041
Percent of All Fires
100
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
49
0.02043
References Burkhardt, W.J. and E.W. Tisdale. 1969. Nature and successional status of western juniper vegetation in Idaho. Journal of Range Management 22(4):264-270. Burkhardt, W.J. and E.W. Tisdale. 1976. Causes of juniper invasion in southwestern Idaho. Ecology 57: 472­
484.
Crawford, J.A., R.A. Olson, N.E. West, J.C. Mosley, M.A. Schroeder, T.D. Whitson, R.F. Miller, M.A. Gregg, and C.S. Boyd. 2004. Ecology and management of sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat. Journal of Range Management
57:2-19. Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, and A.H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, Bulletin Number 35. Moscow, ID. 44p. Houston, D.B. 1973. Wildfires in northen Yellowstone National Park. Ecology 54(5): 1111-1117. Johnson, K. 2000. Artemisia tridentata ssp. Vaseyana. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online], U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2004, September 17]. Miller, R.F. and J.A. Rose. 1995. Historic expansion of Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper) in
southeastern Oregon.
The Great Basin Naturalist 55(1):37-45.
Miller, R.F. and J.A. Rose. 1999. Fire history and western juniper encroachment in sagebrush steppe.
Journal of Range Management 52. Pp. 550-559.
Miller, R.F., T.J. Svejcar, and J.A. Rose. 2000. Impacts of western juniper on plant community composition
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 5 of 6
and structure. Journal of Range Management 53(6):574-585. Miller, R. F. and R. J. Tausch. 2001. The role of fire in juniper and pinyon woodlands: a descriptive analysis. Proceedings: The First National Congress on Fire, Ecology, Prevention, and Management. San Diego, CA, Nov. 27- Dec. 1, 2000. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Miscellaneous Publication 11, p:15­
30.
Mueggler, W.F. and W.L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of Western Montana. USDA Forest Service GTR INT-66. Pedersen, E.K., J.W. Connelly, J.R. Hendrickson, and W.E. Grant. 2003. Effect of sheep grazing and fire on sage grouse populations in southeastern Idaho. Ecological Modeling 165:23-47. Simon, S.A. 1990. Fire effects from prescribed underburning in central Oregon ponderosa pine plant communities: first and second growing season after burning. Pp. 93-109. In Fire in Pacific Northwest Ecosystems. Thomas E. Bedell, editor. Department of Rangeland Resources, Oregon State University, Covallis, OR. 145p. Tart, D.L. 1996. Big sagebrush plant associations of the Pinedale Ranger district. Pinedale, WY: USDA For.
Serv. Bridger-Teton National Forest. Jackson, WY. 97 p. Welch, B. L, C. Criddle. 2003. Countering Misinformation Concerning Big Sagebrush. Research Paper
RMRS-RP-40. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 28 p. Winward, A.H. 1991. A renewed commitment to management in sagebrush grasslands. In: Management in
the Sagebrush Steppes. Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station Special Report 880. Corvallis OR. Pp.2-7. Winward, A. H. 2004. Sagebrush of Colorado; taxonomy, distribution, ecology, & management. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Denver, CO. *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 6 of 6
Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model The Rapid Assessment is a component of the LANDFIRE project. Reference condition models for the Rapid Assessment were
created through a series of expert workshops and a peer-review process in 2004 and 2005. For more information, please visit
www.landfire.gov. Please direct questions to [email protected].
Potential Natural Vegetation Group (PNVG)
R2SBWYwt
Wyoming Big Sagebrush Semi Desert with Trees
General Information
Contributors (additional contributors may be listed under "Model Evolution and Comments")
Modelers
Reviewers
Gary Back
Vegetation Type
Shrubland
Dominant Species*
ARTR
CHVI8
ACHY
HECO
[email protected]
Stanley G. Kitchen
Peter Weisberg
General Model Sources
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
LANDFIRE Mapping Zones
12
17
13
18
16
[email protected]
[email protected]
Rapid AssessmentModel Zones
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This PNVG is found in the southern portion of the Great Basin; western CA, central NV, and UT
Biophysical Site Description
This widespread PNVG is common to the Basin and Range province. In elevation it ranges from 4,500 ­
7,000 ft, and occurs on well-drained soils on foothills, terraces, slopes and plateaus. It is found on soil
depths greater than 18 inches and up to 60+ inches. Elevationally it is found between low elevation salt
desert shrub and mountain big sagebrush zones where pinyon and juniper can establish. Occurs from 4 to
12 inch precipitation zones.
Vegetation Description
Shrub canopy cover generally ranges from 5 to 25%, but can exceed 30% at the upper elevation and
precipitation zones. Wyoming big sagebrush sites have fewer understory species relative to other big
sagebrush types. Rabbit rubberbrush co-dominant. Perennial forb cover is usually <10%. Perennial grass
cover may reach 20 - 25% on the more productive sites. Bluebunch wheatgrass may be a dominant species
following replacement fires and as a co-dominant after 20 years. Bottlebrush squirreltail and Indian
ricegrass are common. Percent cover and species richness of understory are determined by site limitations.
Pinyon (generally Pinus monophyla) and juniper (generally Juniper osteosperma) present, occasionally
reaching 90% canopy cover in areas that have escaped fire. Wyoming big sagebrush semi-desert is critical
habitat for the Greater Sage Grouse and many sagebrush obligates.
Disturbance Description
This PNVG is characterized by replacement fires where shrub canopy exceeds 25% (50 - 100 years; mean
FRI of 125 years, i.e., 80% of total fire probability) or where grass cover is >15% and shrub cover is > 20%
(40 - 70 years; mean FRI of 100 years). Mixed Severity fires account for 20% of fire activity (mean FRI of
500 years) where shrub cover ranges from 10 to 20% (20 - 40 years). Surface fires where shrub cover is
<10% (0 - 20 years) and generally uncommon during early development (FRI of 200 years). Where pinyon
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 1 of 6
or juniper has encroached after 100 years without fire, mean FRI of fire replacement increases from 100 to
125 years.
The Aroga moth is capable of defoliating large acreages (i.e., > 1,000 ac), but usually 10 to 100 acres.
Weather stress: Prolonged drought (1 in 100 years) on the more xeric sites may reduce shrub cover.
Flooding may also cause mortality if the soil remains saturated for an extended period of time (i.e., 1 in 300
year flood events).
Herbivory (non-insect); Herbivory can remove the fine fuels that support Mixed Severity fires and result in
woody fuel build up that leads to severe Replacement fires. Surface fires occur in the early seral stage where
shrub cover is < 10%.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This community may be adjacent to mountain big sagebrush at elevations above 6,500 ft., or adjacent to
pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine, at mid- to high-elevations, and salt desert shrub at low elevations. Low
sagebrush or black sagebrush may form large islands within this community where soils are shallow or have
restrictive layers.
Concerns: Post-settlement conversion to cheatgrass is common and results in change in fire frequency and
vegetation dynamics. Fire suppression can lead to pinyon-juniper encroachment with subsequent loss of
shrub and herbaceous understory. Disturbance of this community may result in establishment of annual
grasslands (e.g., cheatgrass) and/or noxious weeds. Lack of disturbance can result in pinyon-juniper
encroachment where adjacent to pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Literature
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
Historic disturbance (fire) likely ranged from small (< 10 ac) to large (> 10,000 acres) depending on
conditions, time since last ignition, and fuel loading. Assumed the average patch size is 250 acres.
Issues/Problems
1) Some reviewers recommended merging all Wyoming big sagebrush PNVGs: R2SBWY, R2SBWYse,
and R2SBWYwt. These PNVGs do not occur in the same areas or effective precipitation zones. Revised
PNVGs are more clearly distinguished with greater differences in MFIs and fire behavior. Also, some
reviewers did not know the LANDFIRE definition of mixed severity fire (25-75% of vegetation within burn
perimeter is top killed by fire), which caused them to include mixed severity within replacement fire (>75%
topkill).
2) There are no data, although abundant opinions, for the percentage of replacement and mixed severity
fires, especially during mid-development, or whether surface fires occurred at all during early development
during the pre-settlement phase.
Model Evolution and Comments
This model assumes the sites are near pinyon-juniper woodlands and without frequent fire, the p-j will
encroach into the sagebrush range site.
The first three development classes chosen for this PNVG correspond to the early, mid-, and late seral stages
familiar to range ecologists. The two classes with conifer invasion (classes D and E) approximately
correspond to Miller and Tausch's (2001) phases 2 and 3 of pinyon and juniper invasion into shrublands. A
PNVG for Wyoming big sagebrush without tree invasion (R2SBWy; due to low elevation) was developed.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 2 of 6
Succession Classes**
Succession classes are the equivalent of "Vegetation Fuel Classes" as defined in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (www.frcc.gov).
Class A
15 %
Early1 PostRep
Description
Post-replacement disturbance;
grass dominated with scattered
shrubs. Fuel loading discontinuous.
Surface fire occurs every 200 years
on average but has no effect on
succession. Succession to class B
after 20 years.
Class B
50 %
Mid1 Open
Description
Shrubs and herbaceous can be co­
dominant, fine fuels bridge the
woody fuels, but fuel
discontinuities are possible.
Replacement fire accounts for 80%
of fire activity (mean FRI of 125
years), whereas mixed severity fire
occurs every 500 years on average
(20% of fire activity) and maintains
vegetation in class B. Succession to
class C after 40 years.
Class C
25 %
Mid2 Closed
Description
Shrubs dominate the landscape;
fuel loading is primarily woody
vegetation. Shrub density sufficient
in old stands to carry the fire
without fine fuels. Establishment of
pinyon and juniper seedlings and
saplings widely scattered.
Replacement fire (mean FRI of 100
years) and rare flood events (return
interval of 333 years) cause a
transition to class A. Prolonged
drought (mean return interval of
100 years) and insect/disease
(every 75 years on average) cause a
transition to class B. Succession to
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ACHY
HECOC
CHVI8 ARTR
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
ARTR
ACHY
CHVI8
HECO2
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
25 %
Min
11 %
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR
CHVI8
ELEL5
HECO2
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
10 %
Min
0%
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
26 %
no data
no data
Max
35 %
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 3 of 6
class D after 40 years.
Class D
5%
Late1 Open
Description
Pinyon-juniper encroachment
where disturbance has not occurred
for 100+ years (tree species cover
<15%). Saplings and young trees
are the dominant lifeform.
Sagebrush cover (<25%) and
herbaceous cover decreasing
compared to class C. Replacement
fire occurs every 125 years on
average. Insect/disease (every 75
years) and prolonged drought
(every 100 years) thin both trees
and shrubs, causing a transition to
class C. Succession to class E after
50 years.
Class E
5%
Late1 Closed
Description
Pinyon-juniper woodland (cover
16-90%) where disturbance does
not occur for 50+ years in Class D.
Shrub cover <10% and graminoids
scattered. Replacement fire occurs
every 125 years on average.
Prolonged drought thins trees,
causing a transition to class B.
Succession from class E to E.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
JUNIP
PIMO
ARTR
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
15 %
Min
0%
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
JUNIP
PIMO
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
16 %
no data
no data
Max
90 %
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 4 of 6
Disturbances Modeled
Fire
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other:
Other
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg: no data
Min: no data
Max: no data
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Fire Regime Group: 4
I: 0-35 year frequency, low and mixed severity
II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity
III: 35-200 year frequency, low and mixed severity
IV: 35-200 year frequency, replacement severity
V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity
Fire Intervals (FI)
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. All values are
estimates and not precise.
Avg FI
Replacement
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
Min FI
137
1000
2500
115
30
20
20
Max FI
Probability
200
333
200
0.0073
0.001
0.0004
0.0087
Percent of All Fires
84
11
5
References
Brown, J. K. and J. K. Smith, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep.
RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 257 p.
Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1994. Intermountain Flora:
Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Asterales. Volume 5. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx,
NY.
Gruell, G.E. 1999. Historical and modrern roles of fire in pinyon-juniper. P. 24-28. In: S.B. Monsen & R.
Stevens (compilers). Proceedings: ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the
Interior West; 1997, Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT. U.S. Dept. Ag., Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station.
Kuchler, A.W. 1985. Potential natural vegetation (map at scale of 1:7,500,000). In: U.S. Geological survey,
The National Atlas of the USA. U.S. Govt. Print. Off. Washington, D.C.
Miller, R.F. and J.A. Rose. 1999. Fire history and western juniper encroachment in sagebrush-steppe. Journal
of Range Management. 550-559.
Miller, R.F. and L.L. Eddleman. 2000. Spatial and temporal changes of sage grouse habitat in the sagebrush
biome. Oregon State Univ. Agr. Exp. Stat. Technical Bull. 151. 35pp.
Miller, R. F. and R. J. Tausch. 2001. The role of fire in juniper and pinyon woodlands: a descriptive analysis.
Proceedings: The First National Congress on Fire, Ecology, Prevention, and Management. San Diego, CA,
Nov. 27- Dec. 1, 2000. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Miscellaneous Publication 11, p:15­
30.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 28A Great Salt Lake Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 28B Central Nevada Basin and Range. Nevada Ecological Site
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 5 of 6
Descriptions. Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 25 Owyhee High Plateau. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 24 Humboldt Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions. Reno, NV.
NRCS. 2003. Major Land Resource Area 27 Fallon-Lovelock Area. Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions.
Reno, NV.
Tausch, R.J. and R.S. Nowak. 1999. Fifty years of ecotone change between shrub and tree dominance in the
Jack Springs Pinyon Research Natural Area. P.71-77. In: E.D. McArthur, W. K. Ostler, & C.L Wambolt
(compilers). Proceedings: shrubland ecotones. 1998. Ephram, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-11. Ogden, UT. U.S. Dept.
Ag., Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Tilsdale, E.W. 1994. Great Basin region: sagebrush types. P. 40-46. In: T.N. Shiflet (ed.) Rangeland Cover
Types. Soc. Range Manage., Denver, CO.
West, N.E. 1983. Western Intermountain sagebrush steppe. P. 351-297. In: N.E. West (ed.) Ecosystems of the
World 5: Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York, NY.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 6 of 6
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911540
Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Riparian
Systems
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Rod Clausnitzer
Modeler 2
Modeler 3
Date
[email protected]
Vegetation Type
Wetlands and Riparian
Dominant Species*
POPU
SALIX
ALNU
BETU
General Model Sources
CORN
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
10/6/2005
Reviewer Bruce Hostetler
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Map Zones
9
8
1
[email protected]
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Eastern Oregon and Washington. Includes both Columbia Basin Foothill Riparian Woodlands and
Shrublands and Great Basin Foothill Riparian Woodlands and Shrublands.
Biophysical Site Description
This ecological system is found within a broad elevation range from about 600 m (2000 feet) to over 1500
m (5000 feet). These woodlands and shrublands require periodic flooding and bare, moist substrates for
reestablishment. They are found in low-elevation canyons and draws, on floodplains, or in steep-sided
canyons, or narrow V-shaped valleys with rocky substrates. Sites are subject to temporary flooding during
spring runoff. Underlying gravels may keep the water table just below ground surface, and are favored
substrates for cottonwood. Large bottomlands may have occurred in large patches, but most have been cut
over or cleared for agriculture, principally grazing and hay production. Rafted ice and logs in freshets may
cause considerable damage to tree boles. Beavers crop younger cottonwood and willows in the smaller
waterways, and frequently dam side channels occurring in these stands. In steep-sided canyons, perennial
streams typically have mid to high gradients. The surface is flooded during spring runoff and remains
saturated for variable periods. Soils are typically alluvial deposits of sand, clays, silts and cobbles that are
highly stratified with depth due to flood scour and deposition
Vegetation Description
This ecological system occurs as a mosaic of multiple communities that are tree dominated with a diverse
shrub component. In eastern Oregon, dominant trees may include Betula occidentalis, Populus balsamifera
ssp. trichocarpa, and Populus tremuloides. Dominant shrubs include Cornus sericea, Salix spp.,
Symphoricarpos albus, Alnus incana, Rosa spp., and Crataegus spp. Herbaceous layers are often dominated
by species of Carex and Juncus, and perennial grasses and mesic forbs such Glyceria spp., Iris
missouriensis, Equisetum arvense, or Algelica spp. In Eastern Oregon, important and diagnostic trees
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 189 of 236
include Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, Alnus rhombifolia, Populus tremuloides, Celtis laevigata var.
reticulata, and Betula occidentalis. Important shrubs include Crataegus douglasii, Philadelphus lewisii,
Cornus sericea, Salix lucida ssp. Lasiandra, Salix eriocephala, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Amelanchier
alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, and Symphoricarpos albus.
Disturbance Description
These are disturbance-driven systems that require flooding, scour and deposition for germination and
maintenance. This system is dependent on a natural hydologic regime, especially annual to episodic flooding
with flooding of increasing magnitude causing more stand replacement events. Beaver (Castor canadensis)
crop younger cottonwoods (Populus spp.), aspen (Populus tremuloides), and willows (Salix spp.), and
frequently influence the hydrologic regime through construction of dams, etc. Beaver will move from areas
where tree availability is depleted. Fire disturbances occur, but are infrequent catastrophic events (100
years).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Livestock grazing is a major influence in the alteration of structure, composition, and function of the
community. Livestock can result in the nearly complete removal of willow and cottonwood regeneration,
and bank slumping in places where water is accessible.
The exotic tree, Elaeagnus angustifolia, is common in some stands. Introduced forage species such as
Agrostis stolonifera, Poa pratensis, Phleum pratense and Bromus tectorum (a weedy annual on the driest
xero-riparian sites) are often present in disturbed stands.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This system can exist as small to large linear features in the landscape (e.g., lower Deschutes, John Day,
Okanogan, and Methow Rivers). In larger, low-elevation riverine systems, this system may exist as mid to
large patches.
Issues/Problems
Comments
As a result of QC in zone 9 the FRG was changed from 5 to 4 based on the model results. Within each class
the probability for wind, weather, stress disturbances (represent flooding) that resulted in the same transition
were pooled. This gives the same model result and was done only to simplify the model for its ultimate
application in LANDSUM.
This model is a revised Intermountain Basins Montane Riparian Systems (Bps 1154). It is defined as
deciduous hardwood trees and shrubs with mosaic of herbaceous types in a small scale linear riparian system
from low to mid-elevations. Conifer-dominated stream and river terraces are excluded due to degree of
hydologic influence and fire frequencies in ponderosa pine systems.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 190 of 236
Class A
25 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Immediate post-disturbance
responses are dependent on preburn vegetation composition.
Typically shrub dominated, but
grasses and sedges may co­
dominate. Silt, gravel, cobble, and
woody debris may be common.
Composition highly variable.
Generally, this class is expected to
occur 1-15 years post-disturbance
and suceeds to B. Modeled
disturbances include replacment
fire (MFRI = 100) which resets to
0, floods which maintain, and
beaver-induced (Castor canadensis)
mortality of trees, shrubs and
herbaceous vegetation (modeld as
Option1 with a .005 probability)
which resets to 0. Ten, hundred,
and thousand year flood events
occur in this class, but b/c all
maintain vegetation in class A the
probabilities were combined into a
single wind/weather/stress
transition with a probability of .111
(.1 + .01 + .001).
Class B
65 %
Mid Development 1 All Struct
Description
Highly dependent on the hydrologic regime. Vegetation composition includes tall shrubs
and small trees (cottonwood, aspen). Ten, hundred, and thousand year
flood events occur in this class. 10­
yr flooding events maintain
vegetation in class B. 100 yr and
1000 yr flooding events can
maintain vegetation in class B or
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POPUL
SALIX
ALNUS
CAREX
Upper Upper Upper Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
0%
Max
80 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 3.0m
Tree Size Class
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Principal canopy is from shrub components, but
deciduous trees established
(resprout/germinants) and are a minor
component of main canopy.
3
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POPUL Upper
ALNUS Upper
SALIX Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
21 %
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Pole 5-9" DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Most canopy cover is from shrub components,
but shrubs are eventually overtopped by trees.
3
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 191 of 236
cause a transition to class A.
Floods that resulted in a transition
to class A were combined in the
VDDT model (probability = .011).
Floods that resulted in maintenance
in class B were combined in the
VDDT model (probability = .1).
Beaver (Castor canadensis)
induced mortality can either
maintain in class B (probability =
.005) or cause a transition to A
(probability = .005). Replacement
fire (MFRI = 100yrs) causes a
transition to Class A. Succession
to class C after 35 years in this
class.
Class C
10 %
Late Development 1 All Struct
Description
This class represents the mature,
large cottonwood, aspen, etc.
woodlands.
1000-yr flooding events (weather­
related stress) cause a transition to
class A or B, whereas 100-yr flood
events cause a transition to class B
as well as maintain in Class C.
Floods resulting in a transition to
class A were modeled w/ a
probability of .0005. Floods that
cause a transition to class B were
modeled w/ a combined probability
of .106. Floods that maintain in
class C were modeled w/ a
probability of .005.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POPUL Upper
ALNUS Mid-Upper
SALIX Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Max
100 %
Min
21 %
Cover
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 50m
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
Beaver (Castor canadensis) activity
thins (Option1) trees causing an
infrequent transition to class B
(probability = .001) with the
remaining maintained in Class C
(probability = .009). Replacement
fire occurs every 100 yrs on
average resetting to class A. In the
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 192 of 236
absence of disturbance this class
maintains itself indefinitely.
Class D
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late Development 1 All Struct
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Min
0%
NONE
Max
0%
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late Development 1 All Struct
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
Max
%
Height
NONE
Tree Size Class None
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
%
NONE
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
100
0.01
100
0.01002
Percent of All Fires
100
Mixed
Surface
Avg 100
Min 1
Max 1000
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1) Beaver
Other (optional 2)
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 193 of 236
References Barbour, M. G., and W. D. Billings, editors. 1988. North American terrestrial vegetation. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp. Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1977. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1002 pp. Crowe, E.A.; Clausnitzer, R.R. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. Tech. Pap. R6-NRECOL-TP-22-97. [Portland, OR]: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. [Pages unknown].
Johnson, C. G., and S. A. Simon. 1985. Plant associations of the Wallowa Valley Ranger District, Part II: Steppe. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 258 pp. Kovalchik, B.L. 1987. Riparian zone associations: Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema National Forests. R6 ECOL TP-279-87. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 171 p. Kovalchik, Bernard L.; Clausnitzer, Rodrick R. 2004. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian, and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington: series descripton. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR­
593. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 354
p. In cooperation with: Pacific Northwest Region, Colville, Okanogan, and Wenatchee National Forests.
Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe
national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society,
Sacramento. 471 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 194 of 236
BPS 00001 Riparian Systems Fire
Regime
3-5
Average
Fire Size
Class A
Dominant
% Class
A
Desired
100
POPUL,
SALIX,
ALNUS,
CAREX
25-30
% Class
A
Existing
Class
A
Cover
Class B
Dominant
0100%
080%
POPUL,
ALNUS,
SALIX
%
Class
B
Desired
65
% Class
B
Existing
Class
B
Cover
Class C
Dominant
%
Class C
Desired
% Class
C
Exixting
21100%
POPUL,
PINUS,
ALNUS,
SALIX
10-20
0-21%
0-100%
There was no data for Class D or E. This is a combination of the Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Riparian Systems (BPS 81154) and
Rocky Mt. Montane Riparian System (BPS 81159) To be used as a placeholder only. Class
C
Cover
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911590
Rocky Mountain Montane Riparian Systems
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Don Major
Modeler 2 Mary Manning
Date 11/18/2005
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 3
Reviewer Carly Gibson
Reviewer Cathy Stewart
Reviewer John DiBari
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Wetlands/Riparian
Dominant Species*
POPU
SALIX
COSE
CARE
General Model Sources
CRAE
BEOC
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
12
8
17
10
19
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This system is found throughout the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau regions, extending west into
the eastern WA Cascades, and the Blue/Wallowas of OR.
Biophysical Site Description
This system occurs within a broad elevation range from approximately 900 to 2800 m within the flood zone
of rivers, on islands, sand or cobble bars, and streambanks. Typically this system exists in large, wide
occurrences on mid-channel islands in larger rivers or narrow linear bands on small, rocky canyon
tributaries and well drained benches and hillslopes below seeps/springs. May also include overflow
channels, backwater sloughs, floodplain swales, and irrigation ditches. Surface water is generally high for
variable periods. Soils are typically alluvial deposits of sand, clays, silts and cobbles that are highly
stratified with depth due to flood scour and deposition
Vegetation Description
This ecological system occurs as a mosaic of multiple communities that are tree dominated with a diverse
shrub component. Deciduous woody trees dominate, including: Populus angustifolia, P. balsamifera, P.
tremuloides, and Salix amygdaloides. Dominant shrubs include Acer glabrum, Alnus incana, Betula
occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Crataegus rivularis, Prunus virginiana, and numerous tall willow species: Salix
lutea, S. geyeriana, S. boothii, S. drummondiana, S. lasiandra, S. bebbiana and S. exigua. Generally the
adjacent upland vegetation surrounding this riparian system includes grasslands to forests.
Disturbance Description
This system is dependent on a natural hydrologic regime, especially annual to episodic flooding. Flood
events of increasing magnitude will cause maintenance to stand replacing disturbances. Beaver (Castor
canadensis) crop younger cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.), and frequently influence the
hydrologic regime through construction of dams. Beavers show considerable movement along rivers as
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 195 of 236
available trees are felled.
Frequent fire maintains the deciduous shrub component, especially at the lower elevation range of this BPS.
In the absence of fire, shade-tolerant conifers will encroach and shade out the deciduous shrubs. Fire
intervals may have ranged from 35-150 years, depending strongly on the fire regime's) of the surrounding
upland vegetation (Olson and Agee 2005).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This BPS encompasses the mid- and lower-elevation riparian systems within the northern Rocky Mountains.
Higher elevation riparian systems are covered in BPS 1160.
Absence of fire as a structuring agent, coupled with shade tolerant conifer establishment can lead to loss of
shade intolerant deciduous woody species. In addition, grazing and trampling by domestic and wild
ungulates can shift the composition toward weedy and/or nonriparian species. Associated bank damage,
which results in headcutting and incision, can result when bank stabilizing vegetation is removed and/or
damaged by ungulate activity. In addition, loss of beavers can, coupled with heavy ungulate use, shift
dominance in these systems to herbaceous species.
Exotic trees of Elaeagnus angustifolia and Tamarix spp. are common in some stands. Herbaceous noxious
weeds, including leafy spurge, tansy, spotted knapweed readily invade and persist in these systems today.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
These systems can exist as small to large linear features in the landscape. In larger, low elevation riverine
systems, this system may exist as mid-large patches, as a function of valley bottom width and gradient.
Issues/Problems
Comments
This is the same model as delivered to mapzone 10, with minor modifications to fit for mapzones 8 & 9.
Additional reviewers were Steve Barrett ([email protected]) and Bruce Hostetler ([email protected]).
Peer review resulted in a more frequent MFI (from 370 years to 50 years) and the addition of mixed severity
fire.
Adapted from a model for the same BpS in mapping zones 12 and 17. The VDDT model for this system
was taken from BPS 1160 and modified to highlight the dominance of the hydrologic regime.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 196 of 236
Class A
30 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Immediate post-disturbance
responses are dependent on preburn vegetation composition. This
class is dominated by sprouting
shrubs that respond favorably to
fire. Species composition is highly
variable. Silt, gravel, cobble, and
woody debris may be common.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POPUL
SALIX
ALNUS
CAREX
Upper Upper Upper Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 3.0m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
Generally, this class is expected to
occur 1-5 years post-disturbance.
Replacement fire, mixed severity
fire, beavers, and flooding will
maintain this class.
Class B
50 %
Mid Development 1 All Struct
Description
Highly dependent on the
hydrologic regime. Vegetation
composition includes tall shrubs
and small trees (cottonwood, aspen,
conifers).
Generally, this class succeeds to C
after approximately 50 years,
unless a replacement disturbance
(beavers, flooding, replacement
fire) cause a transition to class A.
Mixed severity fire will maintain
this class.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
POPUL Upper
SALIX Mid-Upper
Cover
Height
Shrub 3.1m
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Shrub >3.1m
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 197 of 236
Class C
20 %
Late Development 1 All Struct
Description
This class represents the mature,
large cottonwood, conifer, etc.
woodlands.
Generally, this class persists until a
replacement disturbance (beavers,
flooding, replacement fire) cause a
transition to class A. Mixed
severity fire will maintain this class.
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POPUL Upper
PINUS Upper
SALIX Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 50m
Tree Size Class
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late Development 1 Open
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Max
0%
Min
0%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late Development 1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
%
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 198 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
100
100
100
150
Probability
0.01
0.01
Percent of All Fires
50
50
Surface
Avg 100
Min 1
Max 1000
All Fires
50
0.02001
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1) Beaver
Other (optional 2)
References Baker, W. L. 1988. Size-class structure of contiguous riparian woodlands along a Rocky Mountain river.
Physical Geography 9(1):1-14.
Baker, W. L. 1989a. Macro- and micro-scale influences on riparian vegetation in western Colorado. Annals of
the Association of American Geographers 79(1):65-78.
Baker, W. L. 1989b. Classification of the riparian vegetation of the montane and subalpine zones in western
Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 49(2):214-228.
Baker, W. L. 1990. Climatic and hydrologic effects on the regeneration of Populus angustifolia James along
the Animas River, Colorado. Journal of Biogeography 17:59-73.
Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla,
and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Technical Paper
R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97.
Daubenmire, R. 1952. Forest vegetation of northern Idaho and adjacent Washington, and its bearing on
concepts of vegetation classification. Ecological Monographs 22(4):301-330.
Dwire, Kathleen A., Sandra E. Ryan, Laura J. Shirley, Danna Lytjen, and Nick Otting. 2004. Recovery of
riparian shrubs following wildfire: Influence of herbivory. In Riparian Ecoystems and Buffers: Multi-scale
structure, function, and management. AWRA Summer Specialty Conference, Olympic Valley, California. 28­
30 June 2004.
Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A
classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user's guide to the classification
project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus
appendices.
Kovalchik, B. L. 1992. Riparian zone associations on the national forests of eastern Washington. USDA
Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Draft. 203 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 199 of 236
Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe
national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000. Handbook of wetland vegetation
communities of New Mexico: Classification and community descriptions (volume 1). Final report to the New
Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico
Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM.
Nachlinger, J., K. Sochi, P. Comer, G. Kittel, and D. Dorfman. 2001. Great Basin: An ecoregion-based
conservation blueprint. The Nature Conservancy, Reno, NV. 160 pp. plus appendices.
Neely, B., P. Comer, C. Moritz, M. Lammerts, R. Rondeau, C. Prague, G. Bell, H. Copeland, J. Jumke, S.
Spakeman, T. Schulz, D. Theobald, and L. Valutis. 2001. Southern Rocky Mountains: An ecoregional
assessment and conservation blueprint. Prepared by The Nature Conservancy with support form the U.S.
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management.
Olson, Diana L. and J. K. Agee. 2005. Historical fires in Doulgas-fir dominated riparian forests of the south
Casscades, Oregon. Fire Ecology 1(1): 54-74.
Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah
and southeastern Idaho. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. Report R4-ECOL-89-01. Ogden, UT.
191 pp.
Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants
Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
Tuhy, J., P. Comer, D. Dorfman, M. Lammert, B. Neely, L. Whitham, S. Silbert, G. Bell, J. Humke, B. Baker,
and B. Cholvin. 2002. An ecoregional assessment of the Colorado Plateau. The Nature Conservancy, Moab
Project Office. 112 pp. plus maps and appendices.
Walford, G. M. 1996. Statewide classification of riparian and wetland dominance types and plant
communities - Bighorn Basin segment. Report submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality, Land Quality Division by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. 185 pp.
Walford, G., G. Jones, W. Fertig, S. Mellman-Brown, and K. Houston. 2001. Riparian and wetland plant
community types of the Shoshone National Forest. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-85. USDA Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 122 pp.
Walford, G., G. Jones, W. Fertig, and K. Houston. 1997. Riparian and wetland plant community types of the
Shoshone National Forest. Unpublished report. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database for The Nature
Conservancy, and the USDA Forest Service. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie. 227 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911600
Rocky Mountain Subalpine/Upper Montane
Riparian Systems
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Don Major
Modeler 2 Mary Manning
Date 11/18/2005
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 3
Reviewer Carly Gibson
Reviewer Cathy Stewart
Reviewer John DiBari
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Wetlands/Riparian
Dominant Species*
SALIX
POTR5
CARE
ABLA
General Model Sources
PICEA
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
16
8
12
17
19
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Higher elevations of the Great Basin, California, northern Rockies, and Pacific Northwest.
Biophysical Site Description
This ecological system represents the combination of numerous riparian types occurring in the upper
montane/sub-alpine zones. Found at 1500-3500 m (4920-11,500 feet). This ecological system typically
exists as relatively small linear stringers, but can occupy relatively wide and flat valleys.
Vegetation Description
This ecological system encompasses a broad array of riparian species. These systems are highly variable
and generally consist of willows and other shrubs, sedges and other herbaceous vegetation, or conifers
(primarily spruce and sub-alpine fir). Shrubs include bog birch, bog blueberry, and low willows (e.g., Salix
planifolia, S. wolfii, S. glauca, S. commutate, S. eastwoodia), among others. Graminoids include bluejoint
reedgrass, Holm's sedge, and water sedge, among others.
Unlike the lower elevation riparian types (1159, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Lower Montane Riparian
Systems), this type does not typically include cottonwood species, but may include paper birch and aspen.
Disturbance Description
Flooding events and availability of water during drier periods are the major influences to this system, as a
function of slope. Five-year flood events maintain vegetation but do not scour it, whereas 100-year events
scour and reset succession to early development, depending on vegetation. Flat valley bottom systems store
and release water slowly throughout the growing season, whereas narrow steep systems have little to no
lateral floodplain development and water is transported downstream rapidly through step-pool channels. In
the latter situation, larger materials (boulders, bedrock, large woody debris) typically armor the banks and
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 201 of 236
maintain channel form, even in larger flooding events. Vegetation, however, is less critical in these systems,
but is the primary armoring agent in low gradient valley bottom systems.
The moisture associated with riparian areas promotes lower fire frequency compared with adjacent uplands,
and rapid recovery from fire events. Wet meadow types seldom burn. In riparian systems the preburn
herbaceous plant community is not permanently destroyed, and rapidly recovers. Recovery is possible within
a single growing season. Woody species (i.e., aspen, Salix spp., and occasionally cottonwood species) can
be topkilled, but generally resprout within a short period. In systems with conifers, post-fire establishment is
from seed. Willows will regenerate from seed if bare wet mineral soil is present (i.e., stream bars) but they
also sprout vigorously after fire. Older vegetation experienced fire when replacement fires burned the
uplands (MFRI of 100 years). Surface fire (MFRI of 50 years) affected the early development class through
a combination of replacement fire from uplands and occasional native burning.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This BPS includes narrow to moderately wide meadows, shrublands, and woodlands of conifers and aspen.
Over-grazing and irrigation use have had major impacts on some of these systems. This ecological system
occurs at scales below 30-m resolution of LANDFIRE.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Scale Description
These systems are small linear or relatively wide features in the landscape.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
There is a paucity of fire information on this system and the very heterogeneous nature of the systems is
challenging for model building. However, most of the shrubs and graminoids respond favorably to fire by
resprouting from the root crown.
Comments
This model was imported directly from mapzone 10. Additional reviewers was Steve Barrett
([email protected]). Peer review resulted in changes to the fire regime (mixed severity fire was added,
surface fire was eliminated, and the overall MFI was lengthened) and overall proportions in classes A and
B.
This model was adopted from mapping zones 12 and 17, which was adopted as-is from MZ 16. The model
for zone 16 was developed by Charles Kay ([email protected]) and Don Major ([email protected]). Smith
changed Class B to All Structures based upon final QA/QC comment.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Class A
50 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Immediate post-fire responses in
this ecological system are
dependent on pre-burn vegetation
form. Post-burn condition sensitive
to scouring and blow-out from
floods. This class is shrub or grass
dominated. Composition varies
both within/among reaches.
Generally, this class is expected to
occur 1-3 years post-disturbance.
Re-establishment of conifers may
require 50-100 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SALIX Upper CAREX Upper PICEA Upper Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Height
Shrub 0m
Tree Size Class
Max
100 %
Shrub >3.1m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
Flooding disturbances (modeled as
weather-related stress) include 5-yr
events that do not scour and 100-yr
events that resets the vegetation to
age 0. Beaver (Option 1) reset
succession every 10 yrs on average
by moving along the river with tree
depletion. Replacement fire was
typically rare and not included,
whereas surface fire was more
frequent (mean 50 years FRI) and a
combination of upland-driven fire
and native burning. Succession to
class B after 24 years, however this
is highly variable due to high
moisture levels and high species
variability.
Class B
50 %
Mid Development 1 All Struct
Description
Highly dependent on the
hydrologic regime. For example,
could include any combination of
the 5 vegetation forms described
above. Composition of adjacent
uplands is the determining factor
for future fire events. Conifer
establishment in these higher
elevation areas causes a mean FRI
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SALIX Upper
CAREX Upper
PICEA Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 50m
Tree Size Class
Pole 5-9" DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
3
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 203 of 236
of 100 yrs.
Class C
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Mid Development 1 All Struct
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Min
0%
Max
0%
NONE
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late Development 1 All Struct
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
0%
Min
0%
NONE
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late Development 1 All Struct
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
%
NONE
Height
Tree Size Class None
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
%
NONE
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 204 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
200
133
0.005
0.007519
80
0.01253
Percent of All Fires
40
60
Surface
Avg 10
Min 1
Max 100
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1) Beaver
Other (optional 2) 100-year flood events
References Baker, W. L. 1988. Size-class structure of contiguous riparian woodlands along a Rocky Mountain river.
Physical Geography 9(1):1-14.
Baker, W. L. 1989a. Macro- and micro-scale influences on riparian vegetation in western Colorado. Annals of
the Association of American Geographers 79(1):65-78.
Baker, W. L. 1989b. Classification of the riparian vegetation of the montane and subalpine zones in western
Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 49(2):214-228.
Baker, W. L. 1990. Climatic and hydrologic effects on the regeneration of Populus angustifolia James along
the Animas River, Colorado. Journal of Biogeography 17:59-73.
Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla,
and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. Technical Paper
R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97.
Dwire, Kathleen A., Sandra E. Ryan, Laura J. Shirley, Danna Lytjen, and Nick Otting. 2004. Recovery of
riparian shrubs following wildfire: Influence of herbivory. In Riparian Ecoystems and Buffers: Multi-scale
structure, function, and management. AWRA Summer Specialty Conference, Olympic Valley, California. 28­
30 June 2004.
Kittel, G. M. 1994. Montane vegetation in relation to elevation and geomorphology along the Cache la Poudre
River, Colorado. Unpublished thesis, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, N. Lederer, and D. Randolph. 1994. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the
White and Colorado River basins, Colorado. Final report submitted to Colorado Department of Natural
Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Boulder. 166 pp.
Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and A. McMullen. 1996. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Lower South
Platte and parts of the Upper Arkansas River basins, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural
Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 205 of 236
Program, Fort Collins. 243 pp.
Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and S. Kettler. 1995. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Gunnison River
Basin, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection
Agency. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins. 114 pp.
Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the
riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report
prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage
Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A
classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user's guide to the classification
project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus
appendices.
Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national
forests. USDA Forest Service Technical Paper 279-87. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
Kovalchik, B. L. 1993. Riparian plant associations on the national forests of eastern Washington - Draft
version 1. USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 203 pp.
Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national
forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix.
[http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe
national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000. Handbook of wetland vegetation
communities of New Mexico: Classification and community descriptions (volume 1). Final report to the New
Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico
Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM.
Nachlinger, J., K. Sochi, P. Comer, G. Kittel, and D. Dorfman. 2001. Great Basin: An ecoregion-based
conservation blueprint. The Nature Conservancy, Reno, NV. 160 pp. plus appendices.
Neely, B., P. Comer, C. Moritz, M. Lammerts, R. Rondeau, C. Prague, G. Bell, H. Copeland, J. Jumke, S.
Spakeman, T. Schulz, D. Theobald, and L. Valutis. 2001. Southern Rocky Mountains: An ecoregional
assessment and conservation blueprint. Prepared by The Nature Conservancy with support form the U.S.
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management.
Padgett, W. G. 1982. Ecology of riparian plant communities in southern Malheur National Forest.
Unpublished thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 143 pp.
Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1988a. Riparian community type classification of
Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region,
Ogden, UT.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 206 of 236
Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1988b. Riparian community type classification of
Utah. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region Publication R4-ECOL-88-01. Ogden, UT.
Rondeau, R. 2001. Ecological system viability specifications for Southern Rocky Mountain ecoregion. First
Edition. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. 181 pp.
Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants
Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
Tuhy, J., P. Comer, D. Dorfman, M. Lammert, B. Neely, L. Whitham, S. Silbert, G. Bell, J. Humke, B. Baker,
and B. Cholvin. 2002. An ecoregional assessment of the Colorado Plateau. The Nature Conservancy, Moab
Project Office. 112 pp. plus maps and appendices.
Walford, G. M. 1996. Statewide classification of riparian and wetland dominance types and plant
communities - Bighorn Basin segment. Report submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality, Land Quality Division by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. 185 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 207 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910610
Inter-Mountain Basins Aspen-Mixed Conifer
Forest and Woodland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Julia H. Richardson
Modeler 2 Louis Provencher
Modeler 3
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
Upland Forest and Woodland
General Model Sources
POTR
ABCO
ABLA
PIFL2
Reviewer
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Dominant Species*
3/16/2005
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
12
17
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This ecological system occurs on montane slopes and plateaus in Utah, western Colorado, northern
Arizona, eastern Nevada, southern Idaho and western Wyoming. Elevations range from 1700 to 2800 m
(5600-9200 feet.).
Biophysical Site Description
Occurrences are typically on gentle to steep slopes on any aspect but are often found on clay-rich soils in
intermontane valleys. Soils are derived from alluvium, colluvium and residuum from a variety of parent
materials but most typically occur on sedimentary rocks.
Vegetation Description
The tree canopy is composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous species, codominated by Populus
tremuloides and conifers, including Abies concolor, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus flexilis, and
Pinus ponderosa. As the occurrences age, Populus tremuloides is slowly reduced until the conifer species
become dominant. Common shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, Symphoricarpos
oreophilus, Juniperus communis, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Spiraea betulifolia, symphoricarpos
albus, or Mahonia repens. Herbaceous species include Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex
geyeri, Elymus glaucus, Poa spp., and Achnatherum, Hesperostipa, Nassella, and/or Piptochaetium spp. (=
Stipa spp.), Achillea millefolium, Arnica cordifolia, Asteraceae spp., Erigeron spp., Galium boreale,
Geranium viscosissimum, Lathyrus spp., Lupinus argenteus, Mertensia arizonica, Mertensia lanceolata,
Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Thalictrum fendleri.
Disturbance Description
This is a strongly fire adapted community, more so than BPS 1011 (Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and
Woodland), with FRIs varying for mixed severity fire with the encroachment of conifers. It is important to
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 68 of 236
understand that aspen is considered a fire-proof vegetation type that does not burn during the normal
lightning season, yet evidence of fire scars and historical studies show that native burning was the only
source of fire that occurred predominantly during the spring and fall. BPS 1061 has elements of Fire Regime
Groups II, III, and IV. Mean FRI for replacement fire is every 60 years on average in all development
classes, except during early development where no fire is present (as for stable aspen, BPS 1011). The FRI
of mixed severity fire increases from 40 years in stands <80 years to 20 years in stand >80 years with conifer
encroachment.
Under pre-settlement conditions, disease and insect mortality did not appear to have major impacts, however
older aspen stands would be susceptible to outbreaks every 200 years on average. We assumed that 20% of
outbreaks resulted in heavy insect/disease stand-replacing events (average return interval 1000 yrs), whereas
80% of outbreaks would thin older trees >40 yrs (average return interval 250 yrs). Older conifers (>100
years) would experience insect/disease outbreaks every 300 years on average.
Some sites are prone to snowslides, mudslides and rotational slumping. Flooding may also operate in these
systems.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
If conifers are not present in the landscape or represent <25% relative cover, the stable aspen model (BPS
1011; Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and Woodland) should be considered, especially in western and central
Nevada.
This type is more highly threatened by conifer replacement than stable aspen. Most occurrences at present
represent a late-seral stage of aspen changing to a pure conifer occurrence. Nearly a hundred years of fire
suppression and livestock grazing have converted much of the pure aspen occurrences to the present-day
aspen-conifer forest and woodland ecological system.
Under current conditions, herbivory can significantly effect stand succession. Kay (1997, 2001a, b, c) found
the impacts of burning on aspen stands were overshadowed by the impacts of herbivory. In the reference
state the density of ungulates was low due to efficient Native American hunting, so the impacts of ungulates
were low. Herbivory was therefore not included in the model.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This type occurs in a landscape mosaic from moderate (10 acres) to large sized patches (1000 acres).
Issues/Problems
East of the Great Basin, Baker (1925) studied closely the pre-settlement period for aspen and noted fire
scars on older trees. Bartos and Campbell (1998) support these findings. Results from Baker (1925) and
Bartos and Campbell (1998) would apply to eastern Nevada and BPS 1061. We interpreted ground fires
that scarred trees, probably started by Native Americans, as mixed severity fire that also promoted abundant
suckering. In the presence of conifer fuels, these would be killed and aspen suckering promoted.
In previous models from the Rapid Assessment (e.g., R2ASMClw), experts and modelers expressed
different views about the frequency of all fires, citing FRIs longer than those noted by Baker (1925). The
FRIs used here were a compromise between longer FRIs proposed by reviewers and the maximum FRI of
Baker (1925).
Comments
Model for MZ09 was imported from MZ12 without modification. BPS 1061 for MZ 12 and 17 is a
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 69 of 236
compromise among the Rapid Assessment model R2ASMClw (aspen-mixed conifers low-mid elevation),
BPS 1011 for mapzone 12 and 17, and BPS 1061 for mapzone 16. BPS 1061 for mapzone 12 and 17 is
approximately split into the age classes of R2ASMClw. The FRIs of replacement fire from BPS 1011 were
used (60 years). For mixed severity fire, the mean FRIs followed closely BPS 1061 for MZ 16, except that
20 years was used instead of 13 years during periods of conifer encroachment. R2ASMClw was developed
by Linda Chappell ([email protected]), Bob Campbell ([email protected]), and Cheri Howell
([email protected]), and reviewed by Krista Gollnick-Wade/Sarah Heidi ([email protected]),
Charles E. Kay ([email protected]), and Wayne D. Shepperd ([email protected]). BPS 1061 for MZ
16 was developed by Linda Chappell, Robert Campbell, Stanley Kitchen ([email protected]), Beth Corbin
([email protected]), and Charles Kay.
As this type has a fairly short fire return interval compared to other aspen types, it should be noted that aspen
can act as a tall shrub. Bradley, et al. (1992) state that Loope & Gruell estimated a fire frequency of 25 to
100 years for a Douglas-fir forest with seral aspen in Grand Teton National Park (p39). They later state that
fire frequencies of 100 to 300 years appear to be appropriate for maintaining most seral aspen stands. In the
Fontenelle Creek, Wyoming draininage, the mean fire-free interval was estimated to be 40 years. Fires in
this area burned in a mosaic pattern of severities, from stand-replacement to low fires that scarred but did
not kill the relatively thin-barked lodgepole pine on the site (p46).
Aspen stands tend to remain dense throughout most of their life-span, hence the open stand description was
not used unless it described conifer coverage during initial encroachment. While not dependent upon
disturbance to regenerate, aspen was adapted to a diverse array of disturbances.
Vegetation Classes Class A
14 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Grass/forb and aspen suckers <6'
tall. Generally, this is expected to
occur 1-3 years post-disturbance.
Fire is absent and succession
occurs to class B after 10 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POTR5 Upper
SYOR2 Middle
RIBES Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
Tree 0m
Max
99 %
Tree 5m
Seedling <4.5ft
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 70 of 236
Class B
40 %
Mid Development 1 Closed
Description
Aspen saplings over 6' tall
dominate. Canopy cover is highly
variable. Replacement fire occurs
every 60 yrs on average. Mixed
severity fire (average FRI of 40
yrs) does not change the
successional age of these stands,
although this fire consumes litter
and woody debris and may
stimulate suckering. Succession to
class C after 30 years.
Class C
35 %
Mid Development 2 Closed
Description
Aspen trees 5 - 16" DBH. Canopy
cover is highly variable. Conifer
seedlings and saplings may be
present. Replacement fire occurs
every 60 years on average. Mixed
severity fire (mean FRI of 40 yrs),
while thinning some trees,
promotes suckering and maintains
vegetation in this class.
Insect/disease outbreaks occur
every 200 years on average causing
stand thinning (transition to class
B) 80% of the time and causing
stand replacement (transition to
class A) 20% of the time. Conifer
encroachment causes a succession
to class D after 40 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POTR Upper
SYOR2 Low-Mid
RIBES Low-Mid
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
40 %
Max
100 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POTR Upper
SYOR2 Middle
RIBES Middle
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
40 %
Cover
Height
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Max
100 %
Tree 25m
Pole 5-9" DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 71 of 236
Class D
10 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Aspen dominate, making up ~80%
of the overstory. Conifers which
escape fire, or are the more fire
resistant species, are present in the
understory and will likely cause the
progressive suppression of aspen.
Mixed severity fire (20 year MFI)
keeps this stand open, kills young
conifers, and maintains aspen (max
FRI from Baker, 1925).
Replacement fire occurs every 60
years on average. In the absence of
any fire for at least 100 years, the
stand will become closed and
dominated by conifers (transition to
class E).
Class E
1%
Late Development 1 Closed
Description
Conifers dominate at 100+ years.
Aspen over 16" DBH, uneven sizes
of mixed conifer, and main
overstory is conifers (>50% of
overstory). FRI for replacement fire
is every 60 years. Mixed severity
fire (mean FRI of 20 years) causes
a transition to class D.
Insect/disease outbreaks will thin
older conifers (transition to class
D) every 300 years on average.
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position POTR
ABCO
ABLA
PIFL2
Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Upper
Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
0%
Max
40 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 25m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLA
ABCO
POTR
PIFL2
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
40 %
Max
80 %
Height
Tree 5.1m
Tree 50m
Tree Size Class
Large 21-33"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
10
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 72 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
2
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
68
39
Min FI
50
10
Max FI
300
50
Probability
0.014706
0.025641
Percent of All Fires
36
64
Surface
Avg 10
Min 1
Max 100
All Fires
25
0.04036
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Baker, F. S., 1925. Aspen in the Central Rocky Mountain Region. USDA Department Bulletin 1291 pp. 1-47.
Bartos, D. L. 2001. Landscape Dynamics of Aspen and Conifer Forests. Pages 5-14 in: Shepperd, W. D.;
Binkley, D.; Bartos, D. L.; Stohlgren, T. J.; and Eskew, L. G., compilers. 2001. Sustaining aspen in western
landscapes: symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort
Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 460 p.
Bartos, D. L. and R. B. Campbell, Jr. 1998. Decline of Quaking Aspen in the Interior West – Examples from
Utah. Rangelands, 20(1):17-24.
Bradley, A. E., Noste, N. V., and W. C. Fischer. 1992. Fire Ecology of Forests and Woodlands in Utah.
GTR-INT-287. Ogden, UT. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research
Station. 128 p.
Bradley, A. E., W. C. Fischer, and N. V. Noste. 1992. Fire Ecology of the Forest Habitat Types of Eastern
Idaho and Western Wypoming. GTR- INT-290. Ogden, UT. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Intermountain Research Station. 92.
Brown, J. K. and D. G. Simmerman. 1986. Appraisal of fuels and flammability in western aspen: a prescribed
fire guide. General technical report INT-205. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Brown, J. K., K. Smith, J. Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech.
Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 257 p.
Brown, J. K. and D. G. Simmerman. 1986. Appraisal of fuels and flammability in western aspen: a prescribed
fire guide. General technical report INT-205. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Campbell, R. B. and Bartos, D. L. 2001. Objectives for Sustaining Biodiversity. In: Shepperd, W. D., D.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 73 of 236
Binkley, D. L. Bartos, T. J. Stohlgren, and L. G. Eskew, compilers. 2001.
Campbell, R. B. and , D. L. Bartos. 2001. Objectives for Sustaining Biodiversity. In: Shepperd, W. D., D.
Binkley, D. L. Bartos, T. J. Stohlgren, and L. G. Eskew, compilers. 2001. Sustaining aspen in western
landscapes: symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort
Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 460 p.
Debyle, N. V., C. D. Bevins, and W. C. Fisher. 1987. Wildfire occurrence in aspen in the interior western
United States. Western Journal of Applied Forestry. 2:73-76.
Kay, C. E. 1997. Is aspen doomed? Journal of Forestry 95: 4-11.
Kay, C. E. 2001a. Evaluation of burned aspen communities in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Proceedings RMRS­
P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 8
p.
Kay, C. E. 2001b. Long-term aspen exclosures in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Proceedings RMRS-P-18..
Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 15 p.
Kay, C. E. 2001c. Native burning in western North America: Implications for hardwood forest management.
General Technical Report NE-274. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeast Research
Station. 8 p.
Mueggler, W. F. 1988. Aspen Community Types of the Intermountain Region. USDA Forest Service,
General Technical Report INT-250. 135 p.
Mueggler, W. F. 1989. Age Distribution and Reproduction of Intermountain Aspen Stands. Western Journal
of Applied Forestry, 4(2):41-45.
Romme, W. H, L. Floyd-Hanna, D. D. Hanna ,and E. Bartlett. 2001. Aspen's ecological role in the west. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, RMRS Proceedings-P-18.
Pages 243-259.
Shepperd, W. D. and E. W. Smith. 1993. The role of near-surface lateral roots in the life cycle of aspen in the
central Rocky Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management 61: 157-160.
Shepperd, W. D. 2001. Manipulations to Regenerate Aspen Ecosystems. Pages 355-365 in: Shepperd, W.
D., D. Binkley, D. L. Bartos, T. J. Stohlgren, and L. G. Eskew, compilers. 2001. Sustaining aspen in western
landscapes: symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort
Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 460 p.
Shepperd, W. D., D. L. Bartos, and A. M. Stepen. 2001. Above- and below-ground effects of aspen clonal
regeneration and succession to conifers. Canadian Journal of Forest Resources; 31: 739-745.
Shepperd, W.D., Binkley, D., Bartos, D.L., Stohlgren, T.J., Eskew, L.G. [compilers]. 2000. Sustaining aspen
in western landscapes: symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS­
P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
460 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 74 of 236
USDA Forest Service. 2000. Properly Functioning Condition: Rapid Assessment Process (January 7, 2000
version). Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. Unnumbered.
Welsh, S. L, N. D. Atwood, S. l. Goodrich, and L. C. Higgins. 2003. A Utah Flora, Third edition, revised.
Print Services, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 912 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency,
replacement severity.
Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 75 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911350
Inter-Mountain Basins Semi-Desert
Grassland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Zielenski
Date
[email protected]. Reviewer Eric Limbach
gov
Reviewer
[email protected]
Modeler 2 Louis Provencher
Modeler 3
Upland Grassland/Herbaceous
ACHY
HECO
LECI4
ARTR2
General Model Sources
GRSP
ACTA
[email protected]
v
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Dominant Species*
3/30/2005
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
17
12
18
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Occurs throughout the Intermountain western U.S. on sandsheets or stabilized dunes.
Biophysical Site Description
Ecological systems found at approximately 4,200-5000 feet of elevation in the Great Basin. These
grasslands occur in lowland and upland areas and may occupy sandsheets, stabilized dunes, swales, playas,
mesatops, plateau parks, alluvial flats, and plains, but sites are typically xeric. Substrates are often
excessively to well-drained sandy or loamy-textured soils derived from sedimentary parent materials but are
quite variable and may include fine-textured soils derived from igneous and metamorphic rocks. These
grasslands typically occur on aradic sites. When they occur near foothill grasslands they will be at lower
elevations. These grasslands occur on a variety of aspects and slopes. Sites may range from flat to
moderately steep. Annual precipitation is usually from 6-10 inches in the Great Basin.
Vegetation Description
Grasslands within this system are typically characterized by a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer
dominated by medium-tall and short bunch grasses. The dominant perennial bunch grasses and shrubs
within this system are all very drought-resistant plants. These grasslands are typically dominated or co
dominated by Achnatherum hymenoides, or Hesperostipa comata, and may include scattered shrubs and
dwarf-shrubs of species of Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Ephedra, or Krascheninnikovia lanata.
Disturbance Description
This system is maintained by frequent fires and sometimes associated with specific soils, often well-drained
clay soils. Fire most often occurred in these sites, when adjacent shrublands (BPS 1080, 1125) burned.
Therefore, the disturbance dynamics of this system are identical to those of BPS 1125: hence, it was
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 151 of 236
assumed that dominant fires were stand replacement (mean FRIs of 75-94 years) due to the continuity of fine
fuels. Mixed severity fire played a minor role during late-development. Assuming a MFI of 75 years (from
the total fire probability), the mean FRI of mixed severity fire was 20% of fires, thus a mean FRI of 375
years, during mid-development. Re-establishment following fire is from resprouting grasses with shrubs re­
establishing from seed over time. Other disturbances included insects (e.g., moths and grasshoppers that eat
leaves, moth larval grubs that eat roots; return interval of 75 years), periods of drought and wet cycles and
shifts in climate (return interval of 100 yrs).
Native American's likely used these sites for camping and vegetation collection (seeds of Indian ricegrass).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
NatureServe description for BPS 1135 includes Muhlenbergia-dominated grasslands which flood
temporarily. Muhlenbergia grasslands and flooding are not part of these sandy systems in Nevada.
Found adjacent to BPS 1125 and 1080, sagebrush steppe and semi-desert. Fires in sagebrush types spread to
BPS 1135.
Many of these sites were impacted by introduced grazing animals post-European settlement and have been
converted to shrub dominated systems.
Cheatgrass is present in these ecological systems but do not dominate due to the high sand content.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Semi-desert grassland can be large (>10,000 acres) when associated with extensive sandsheet systems.
Historic disturbance (fire) likely ranged from small (< 10 acres) to large (> 10,000 acres) depending on
conditions, time since last ignition, and fuel loading. Assumed the average patch size of fire is 250 acres.
Issues/Problems
The scale of historic fire is unknown and numbers provided represent estimates. Native burning was
presumably important to encourage seed production, but data are lacking.
Comments
D Major made changes to vegetation class structural values in response to MTD v3.1 updates (K Pohl
7/18/05 request). These changes have not been reviewed and accepted by model developers as of 7/24/05.
In MZ18 this system is similar to that described for MZ12&17. The model was reviewed & accepted for
MZ 18 by Eric Limbach.
BPS 1135 for MZ 12 and 17 is completely different from BPS 1135 for MZ 16. BPS 1135 uses the model
and disturbance regime of BPS 1125 (and 1080 without trees) for MZ 12 and 17 because the two systems
are highly coupled, however BPS 1135 lacks class C because it is a grassland with shrub encroachment. The
model from mapzone 18 was imported directly for mapzones 8 & 9.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 152 of 236
Class A
20 %
Early Development 1 Open
Description
Perennial grasses and forbs
dominate (25-40% cover) where
woody shrub canopy has been top
killed / removed by wildfire. Shrub
cover < 5%. Replacement fire
every 120 years on average resets
succession back to zero.
Succession to class B after 20 years.
Class B
80 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Shrubs are the upper layer life form
(5-25% cover) with diverse
perennial grass and forb understory
dominant (20 to 60 years). MFI is
75 years with 80% replacement fire
(mean FRI of 94 years) and 20%
mixed severity fire (mean FRI of
375 years). Mixed severity fire,
insect/disease (return interval of 75
years), and weather related stress
(return interval of 100 years)
maintains vegetation in class B.
Class C
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR2 Upper HECO2 Upper ACHY Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
21 %
Max
40 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
1
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR2 Upper
HECO2 Low-Mid
ACHY Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
30 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 1.0m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Herbaceous layer is >25% cover whereas shrub
cover is <25%.
2
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Late1 Open
Cover
Height
Description
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
%
Max
%
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 153 of 236
Class D
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Mid1 Closed
Cover
Description
Max
%
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Description
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Replacement
Mixed
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
98
454
30
120
120
500
Probability
0.010204
0.002203
Percent of All Fires
82
18
Surface
Avg 250
Min 10
Max 10000
All Fires
81
0.01242
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Heyerdahl, E. K., D. Berry, and J. K. Agee. 1994. Fire history database of the western United States. Final
report. Interagency agreement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency DW12934530; U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service PNW-93-0300; University of Washington 61-2239. Seattle, WA: U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Pacific Northwest Research Station; University of Washington, College of Forest Resources.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 154 of 236
28 p. [+ Appendices]. Unpublished report on file with: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT.
Howell, C., R. Hudson, B. Glover, and K. Amy. 2004. Resource Implementation Protocol for Rapid
Assessment Matrices. USDA Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Kellogg, E. A. 1985. A biosystematic study of the Poa secunda complex. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum.
66: 201-242.
Martin, R. E., and J.D. Dell. 1978. Planning for prescribed burning in the Inland Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep.
PNW-76. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range
Experiment Station. 67 p.
McKell, C. M. 1956. Some characteristics contributing to the establishment of rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus
spp. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State College. 130 p. Dissertation.
NatureServe. 2004. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications.
Terrestrial ecological systems of the Great Basin US: DRAFT legend for Landfire project. NatureServe
Central Databases. Arlington, VA. Data current as of 4 November 2004.
Plummer, A. P., A. C. Hull, Jr. G. Stewart, and J. H. Robertson. 1955. Seeding rangelands in Utah, Nevada,
southern Idaho and western Wyoming. Agric. Handb. 71. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service. 73 p.
Range, P., P. Veisze, C. Beyer,and G. Zschaechner. 1982. Great Basin rate-of-spread study: Fire
behavior/fire effects. Reno, Nevada: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada
State Office, Branch of Protection. 56 p.
USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information System.
Http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/achnel/fire_ecology.html
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2003. Range Ecological Sites,
Major Land Resource Area 24. Central Nevada.
Young, R. P. 1983. Fire as a vegetation management tool in rangelands of the Intermountain Region. In:
Monsen, S. B., and N. Shaw, compilers. Managing Intermountain rangelands--improvement of range and
wildlife habitats: Proceedings; 1981 September 15-17; Twin Falls, ID; 1982 June 22-24; Elko, NV. Gen.
Tech. Rep. INT-157. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and
Range Experiment Station: 18-31.
Zschaechner, G. A. 1985. Studying rangeland fire effects: a case study in Nevada. In: Sanders, K. and J.
Durham, eds. Rangeland fire effects: Proceedings of the symposium; 1984 November 27-29; Boise, ID.
Boise, ID: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office: 66-84.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 155 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911400
Northern Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Upper
Montane Grassland
This BPS is lumped with: 1138
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jenifer Hutchinson
Date
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 2 Dave Swanson
Modeler 3
Reviewer
Map Zones
9
Upland Grassland/Herbaceous
General Model Sources
FEVI
ABLA
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Dominant Species*
2/21/2006
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Model Zones
Alaska
California Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
In LANDFIRE map zone 9, Festuca viridula grasslands are found primarily in Wallowa Mountains with
only a few occurrences in the northern Blue Mountains in Oregon. Festuca viridula is also found in the
Rocky Mountains of Canada and northern Idaho, and the Cascade Mountains in Oregon.
Biophysical Site Description
BpS generally occurs on high elevation (6300 to 8400') basalt ridges on all aspects. Usually on deep soils
(greater than 32") formed in basalt colluvium, loess, and volcanic ash (Johnson, 1994).
Vegetation Description
This type is typically dominated by Festuca viridula. Stringers of Abies lasiocarpa and Pinus albicaulis are
adjacent. Pristine Festuca viridula grassland have a nearly continuous sod mat of this species with
interspaces consisting of litter with virtually no bare ground. Other species such as Lupinus species, Juncus
parryi, Carex species, Penstemon species, and Achnatherum occidentale are minor components.
Disturbance Description
Late season fires may damage Festuca viridula plants. It is possible that lack of fire has promoted invasion
by Abies lasiocarpa and Pinus albicaulis (Johnson and Claustnitzer,1992).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Grazing has degraded the majority of Festuca viridula grasslands in the past. Presently, the majority of these
grasslands are protected as wilderness.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 161 of 236
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Scale Description
This type occurs on subalpine ridgetops, so the patch size is never large.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
This type lacks fire history data. Over-grazing can cause soil erosion and an increase in forbs and other
grasslike species such as Lupinus species, Juncus parryi, Carex species, Achnatherum occidentale, and
Penstemon species.
Comments
Vegetation Classes Class A
1%
Early Development 1 Open
Description
Fire return interval has not been
observed and the interval given is
an estimate. If fire were to occur in
an intact system, it would most
likely burn off litter and dry or
dead portions of Festuca viridula.
Some mortality could occur. Bare
ground would be exposed in the
interspaces and openings would be
created by minimal Festuca viridula
mortality. There would be a
temporary increase in other
components of the community,
such as Lupinus species, Juncus
parryi, and Achnatherum
occidentale, as well as a temporary
increase of annual forbs.
Succession to Class B after 5
years. Replacement fire (MFRI=
1000yrs) reset to zero. Alternate
succession allows a portion (annual
probability = 0.001) of this
condition to transition to Class C.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
FEVI
All
LUPIN All JUPA All
ACOCO All
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
11 %
Max
40 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 162 of 236
Class B
80 %
Mid Development 1 Closed
Description
Fire return interval is unknown, but
probably much longer than
adjacent woodlands. Festuca
viridula is present with 41-85%
cover and bare ground <30%.
Percent values are approximate.
This is pristine green fescue habitat
in a range of habitat conditions:
from optimal, which has deep soil
with moderate to high water
holding capacity; to the most xeric
sites which are represented by
FEVI-JUPA. Forbs and graminoids
(includes Rushes, sedges, grasses)
are generally represented in small
percentages of cover. Stands are
greater than about 5 years old.
Replacement fire (MFRI=1000yrs)
resets to Class A. Alternate
succession allows a portion (annual
probability = 0.001) of this
condition to develop into Class C.
Class C
19 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Includes all seral phases of ABLA
and ABLA climax, in the absence
of disturbance agents. Green fescue
is represented by 5-20% cover.
This box represents conifer
invasion into parkland and can
return to parkland through
disturbance agents such as fire,
insects and disease. Fire return
interval is approx. 275 years (Agee,
1993).
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
FEVI
All
LUPIN All
JUPA All
ACOCO All
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Middle
Upper
Lower
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
41 %
Max
90 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLAL
PIAL
FEVI
ARAC2
Cover
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
21 %
Max
70 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 163 of 236
Class D
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late Development 1 Open
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Description
Height
NONE
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Cover
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late Development 1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Description
Height
NONE
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
100 %
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
5
Avg FI
Replacement
Mixed
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
910
1667
0.001099
0.0006
588
0.00171
Percent of All Fires
64
35
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Agee, James K. 1993. Subalpine Ecosystems, pp. 250-279. In: Fire Ecology of Pacific Northwest Forests.
Island Press, Washington, DC.
Johnson, C.G., Jr. 2004. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the Wallowa, Seven Devils, and Blue Mountains.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 164 of 236
PNW-NR-ECOL-TP-03-04. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Research Station. 41p.
Johnson, C.G., Jr. 2003. Green fescue rangelands: changes over time in the Wallowa Mountains. PNW-GTR­
569. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 41p.
Johnson, C.G., Jr.; Clausnitzer, R.R. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. R6-ERW­
TP-036-92. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research
Station. 208 p.
Johnson, C.G., Jr.; Simon, S.A. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province. R6-ECOL-TP-225A­
86. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 399 p.
NatureServe. 2004. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Systems of the
United States. Natural Heritage Central Databases. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
Reid, E.H.;Johnson, C.G., Jr.; Hall, W.B. 1991. Green fescue grassland: 50 years of secondary succession
under sheep grazing. R6-F16-SO-0591. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station. 37 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 165 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911430
Rocky Mountain Alpine Fell-Field
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Mike Babler
Date 11/18/2005
[email protected]
Modeler 2
Modeler 3
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Upland Grassland/Herbaceous
Dominant Species*
SIAC
TRNA
PHCO
FEBR
Reviewer
General Model Sources
CLME
DROC
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
28
10
19
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This ecological system is found discontinuously at alpine elevations throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Biophysical Site Description
These are wind-scoured fell-fields that are free of snow in the winter, such as ridgetops and exposed
saddles, exposing the plants to severe environmental stress. Soils on these windy unproductive sites are
shallow, stony, low in organic matter, and poorly developed; wind deflation often results in a gravelly
pavement. Fell is Gaelic for stone, and these are stone fields. Sites are stable for 100's to 1000's of years as
soils develop.
Vegetation Description
Most fell-field plants are cushioned or matted, frequently succulent, flat to the ground in rosettes and often
densely haired and thickly cutinized. Plant cover is 15-50%, while exposed rocks make up the rest. Fellfields are usually within or adjacent to alpine tundra dry meadows.
Disturbance Description
Vegetation in these areas is controlled by snow retention, wind desiccation, permafrost, and a short growing
season. Dry summers associated with major drought years (mean return interval of 100 years) would favor
grasses over forbs, whereas wet summers cause a more diverse mixture of forbs and graminoids.
Avalanches on steeper slopes where soil accumulated can cause infrequent soil-slips, which exposed bare
ground.
Very small burns of a few square meters (replacement fire) caused by lightning strikes were included as a
rare disturbance, although lighting storms are frequent in those elevations. The calculation of lightning
strikes frequency was not based on fire return intervals, but on the number of strikes (in this case 5) per 1000
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 170 of 236
possible locations per year, thus 0.005.
Alpine rodents ( pikas, marmots, etc.) cause common, but generally small-scale disturbances in these
systems. Native herbivores (Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, and elk) were common in the alpine
but probably did not greatly affect vegetation cover because animals move frequently as they reduce
vegetation cover.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Over the next decades, several experts claim that the alpine is one of the more threatened community types
by global climate change. Essentially, the treeline is moving up.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Cover of vegetation over 50% would indicate a system other than Rocky Mountain Alpine Fell Field, as rock
cover will be 50% or more in this community.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This ecological system can occupy large areas of the alpine. Patch size varies from a few acres to 1000 acres
on mountain ridges and tops. Stand-replacement fires may be caused by lightning strikes that do not spread
due to the sparse cover of fine fuels and extensive barren areas acting as fire breaks.
Issues/Problems
No data on fire or effects of lightning strikes. No data on recovery time after stand-replacing events. This
model had no peer review. Species were derived from literature review. Uncertain if succession from A to B
is 10 years. Moss Campion flowers at 10 years.
Comments
This model is identical to the model from mapping zone 10 and 28 with minor modifications to the
description. This model is based on 1144 by Louis Provencher. Input to the 1144 model was based on
discussion with Kimball Harper (retired USFS scientist; UT), an alpine specialist of the Utah High Plateau.
Mike Babler modified species and geographic range to reflect fell field plants in MZ 28.
Quality control resulted in slightly changed canopy cover values (A changed from 0-5% to 0-20%; B changed from 6-50% to 20-60%) to adhere to LANDFIRE mapping requirements. Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early1 All Structures
Description
Very exposed (barren) state following disturbance. Rock may dominate the area. Forbs (cushion
plants) are more common than
grasses. Succession to class B after 10 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SIAC Upper
TRNA2 Upper
FEBR Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
Herb 0m
Max
20 %
Herb 0.5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are: 1
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 171 of 236
Class B
95 %
Late Development 1 Closed
Description
Alpine community is dominated by
low growing perennials, some
graminoids. Plant cover may vary
from 5% to as much as 50%.
Infrequent replacement fire in the
form of lighting strikes (mean FRI
of 500 years), severe summer
droughts (mean return interval of
500 years), and animal disturbance
(1/500) cause a transition to class A.
Class C
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
SIAC Upper
TRNA2 Upper
FEBR Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
21 %
Max
50 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
1
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Mid1 All Structures
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Min
0%
Max
0%
NONE
None
NONE
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 All Structures
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
0%
Min
0%
NONE
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 All Structures
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
%
NONE
Max
%
NONE
None
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 172 of 236
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
5
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
525
0.001905
524
0.00192
Percent of All Fires
99
Mixed
Surface
Avg 1
Min 1
Max 1
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1) Rodent disturbances
Other (optional 2)
References Baker, W. L. 1980a. Alpine vegetation of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico: Gradient analysis
and classification. Unpublished thesis, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 55 pp.
Bamberg, S. A. 1961. Plant ecology of alpine tundra area in Montana and adjacent Wyoming. Unpublished
dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 163 pp.
Bamberg, S. A., and J. Major. 1968. Ecology of the vegetation and soils associated with calcareous parent
materials in three alpine regions of Montana. Ecological Monographs 38(2):127-167.
Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, and D. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation
on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Report INT­
GTR-362. Ogden, UT. 61 pp.
Duft, Joseph F. and Robert K. Mosely. 1989. Alpine Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains. Mountain Press
Publishing Co. Missoula MT. 200 pp.
Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
Komarkova, V. 1980. Classification and ordination in the Indian Peaks area, Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Vegetation 42:149-163.
Nelson, Ruth A. 1976. Plants of Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain Nature Association. 168
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 173 of 236
pp.
Schwan, H. E., and D. F. Costello. 1951. The Rocky Mountain alpine type: Range conditions, trends and land
use (a preliminary report). Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region
(R2), Denver, CO. 18 pp.
Thilenius, J. F. 1975. Alpine range management in the western United States--principles, practices, and
problems: The status of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-157. Rocky Mountain
Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 32 pp.
Weber, William A. Rocky Mountain Flora. 1976. Colorado Associated University Press. Boulder, CO. 484
pp.
Willard, B. E. 1963. Phytosociology of the alpine tundra of Trail Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park,
Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Zwinger, Ann H., and Beatrice E. Willard.1972. Land above the trees; A guide to American Alpine Tundra.
Harper and Row. New York.487 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 174 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911230
Columbia Plateau Steppe and Grassland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jimmy Kagan
Date
jimmy.kagan@oregonsta Reviewer
te.edu
[email protected] Reviewer
v
Modeler 2 Rex Crawford
Modeler 3
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Upland Savannah/Shrub Steppe
Dominant Species*
6/13/2004
General Model Sources
PSSP6
POSE
ACTH
FEID
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
8
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Western Idaho, and Northern Nevada.
Biophysical Site Description
Sagebrush steppe habitats where fire has removed the sagebrush and local seed sources. Occurs on plains
and foothills, in the range of habitats that support sagebrush (varied soils, but always with some soil
development, rainfall 8-15 inches, all aspects and most non-canyon slopes.
Vegetation Description
Grassland dominated by Pseudoregnaria spicata, Festuca idahoensis, Poa secunda, Achnatherum
thurberiana, (see Ecological System CES304.083 (NatureServe 2004). These are in a shrub steppe
environment.
Disturbance Description
Fire is the primary disturbance factor. Historically, fire resulted in local removal of sagebrush, but repeated,
high frequency fire has eliminated the sagebrush and the seed sources of sagebrush, creating extensive
grasslands. Currently, cheatgrass and other introduced grasses often invade these habitats after fire. The
historic frequency was 30-100 years.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This type occurs in a mosaic with steppe vegetation. In the early 1900s, heavy sheep and cattle grazing led to
an increase of shrubs into much of the area, although shrubs generally don't occur in the canyon grassland.
Fescue dominates more heavily on north aspects and moist sites, which have a lower fire frequency.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 120 of 236
Class C over 30 % closure woud be uncharacteristic.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This BpS can occur in large landscapes. Patch and disturbance sizes limited in canyons by broken
topography and limited by extensive riparian areas.
Issues/Problems
Too much fire has turned this into annual grasslands in many areas, and has turned large areas of shrubland
into grasslands.
Comments
This BpS was derived from 081134. It occurs the same way in both map zones 9 and 8.
Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
Grassland having just burned.
Young, green vegetation. Lasts
one year before natural succession
to Class B.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PSSP
POSE
FEID
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
10 %
Max
50 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class B
80 %
Mid Development 1 Closed
Description
Perennial bunchgrass with solid
cryptogam cover, large bluebunch
grasses, lower POSE and forb
cover, greater forb diversity.
Patches are anywhere from 2-50
years old. Replacement fire is the
primary disturbance (MFR=50yrs).
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PSSP
POSE
FEID
ACTH8
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
50 %
Herb 0.6m
Max
90 %
Herb 1.0m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 121 of 236
Class C
%
15
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Native grassland with shrubs
beginning to get a foothold, or
small pockets of remnants from the
original fire expanding into the
grassland. It equals the early seral
states in Wyoming Big Sagebrush
Steppe Ecological System. Patches
within this matrix die back due to
competition/maintenance, but this
does not have a profound effect on
Class condition.
Class D
Late1 Open
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR Upper
CHVI4 Upper
ERNA1 Upper
PSSPS
Lower
Upper Layer
Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
0%
Shrub 0m
Height
Tree Size Class None
Max
30 %
Shrub 3.0m
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Grasses dominate. Minimum and Max height of
the grasses are the same as class B. The Class
is 'Open' due to the shrub component.
Fuel Model
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Description
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
0%
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Description
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Min
0%
Max
%
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 122 of 236
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
2
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
40
Min FI
25
Max FI
100
Probability
0.025
Percent of All Fires
100
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
40
0.02502
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Daubenmire 1970, Steppe Vegetation of Eastern Washington. Crawford & Kagan, personal communication.
Brown and Smith, editors, 2000. Wildland Fire in Ecosystems. Effect of fire on flora. USDA RMRS GTR
42, Vol 2.
Miller RF, Seufert JM, Haferkamp. 1986. The ecology and management of bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron
spicatum): A review. OSU Station Bulletin 669 39 pp.
NatureServe. 2004. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Systems of the
United States. Natural Heritage Central Databases. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
Tisdale, E. M., and M. Bramble-Brodahl. 1983. Relationships of site characteristics to vegetation in canyon
grasslands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas. Journal of Range Management 36:775-778.
Tisdale, E. W. 1986. Canyon grasslands and associated shrublands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas.
Bulletin No. 40. Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow. 42 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 123 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910650
Columbia Plateau Scabland Shrubland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jim Evans
Date
[email protected]
10/6/2005
Reviewer Jeff Rose/Gregg
Riegel
Modeler 2 Louisa Evers
[email protected] Reviewer
ov
Reviewer
FRCC
Modeler 3
Vegetation Type
Upland Shrubland
Dominant Species*
ARRI2
ERTH4
ERIOG
POSE
[email protected]
v
General Model Sources
ELEL5
LERE7
LOMA
STST5
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
8
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This type occurs in primarily in the channeled scablands of the Columbia Plateau in Washington.
Biophysical Site Description
This type occurs on shallow, lithic soils with limited water holding capacity over fractured basalt.
Sometimes this fractured basalt is exposed at the surface with plants rooted in the cracks.
Precipitation in this zone ranges from 8 to 12 inches or less, mostly falling as winter snow.
The channeled scablands are found along the Columbia River through central Washington and were formed
by repeated massive flooding during the Pleistocene. The floods originated from the fracturing and
subsequent destruction of ice dams that formed and reformed near present-day Priest Lake, draining glacial
Lake Missoula. The resulting floods stripped the soils and some rock off the flood pathway, creating a
unique landscape of massive dry falls, pothole lakes, cliffs and mesas, and deeply incised canyons.
Vegetation Description
An open dwarf-shrub canopy characterizes this biophysical setting. Stiff sagebrush (Artemesia rigida)
along with desert buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.) are the most common species.
The primary grass is Sandberg bluegrass with larger bunchgrasses scattered and infrequent. The forb layer
tends to be rich in species but low in cover and frequency. Common forbs are bitterroot, crepis, phlox,
lomatiums, yarrow, and agoseris. Low sagebrush may be present as well.
Total vasuclar plant cover is never very high, rarely exceeding 25% and often much lower. Lichens and
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 82 of 236
mosses may reach high cover on the rocks or undisturbed areas Where biological soil crusts form, frost
heaving is much more limited.
Disturbance Description
Fire plays only a minor role in this type as it rarely contains enough continuous fuel to carry a fire. Fires
burning through adjacent BpSs may burn the edges of Scabland Shrubland, but cannot carry into the main
formation. In very unusual wet years, enough grasses may be present to allow fire to finger through,
following cracks that contain enough vegetation or across scattered pockets of deeper soils with more
continuous fuels. Replacement fire was modeled as mean fire return interval = 250 years in all three boxes,
with no other disturbances modeled.
Severe droughts can temporarily reduce herbaceous vegetation, however all the species that occupy this BpS
are very drought tolerant.
Seasonal freezing and thawing may limit establishment of annuals in some areas or in some years.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
The Scabland Shrubland can rarely be mistaken for anything else given its location, except along the edges.
It may be interfingered with Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe. Stiff sagebrush is deciduous and
the main formation includes large amounts of surface rock whereas big sagebrush is evergreen and surface
rock is very limited.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
If sagebrush cover exceeds 30% type is probably a different BpS. Rock is an important element in identifing
Scabland Shrubland.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
Scale is from thousands to tens of thousands of acres in size as a community, but disturbances occur in
fractions of this area.
Issues/Problems
Wind power development is starting to occur on this biophysical setting, possibly resulting in a classification of urban or agriculture or industrial. This type of development fragments the habitat and facilitates establishment of invasive species. Comments
Review comments were to say that this type can also be distinguished from 1124 by the pattern of rock nets
and deeper soil areas.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 83 of 236
Class A
5%
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
This class is dominated by
sprouting buckwheats and other
hemi-shrubs, surviving perennial
grasses and forbs, and annual
forbs. Plant cover is typically
extremely low. Sagebrush will be
absent and patch size is very small
in this class. Rock dominates the
visual appearance and may
dominate satellite imagery.
Succession to Class B after 10
years.
Class B
5%
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Young stiff sagebrush appears
while the other species reach their
more-or-less mature sizes. Plant
cover remains low but denser
patches are now present, comprised
mostly of the hemi-shrubs and
perennial grasses and forbs. Rock
is less dominant visually, but may
still dominate satellite imagery.
Succession to Class C after 20
years.
Class C
90 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Stiff sagebrush is fully mature and
visually dominates the scene,
particularly after spring leaf out
and flowering. Total vegetation
cover rarely exceeds 25% and is
often <15%. Plant height rarely
exceeds 0.5m.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ERTH4
POSE
LOMA
STST5
Lower
Lower
Low-Mid
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Low-Mid
Upper
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Upper
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Min
0%
Max
10 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
Max
10 %
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARRI2
ERTH4
POSE
STST5
Cover
0
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ERTH4
ARRI2
POSE
STST5
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Min
11 %
Shrub 0.6m
Tree Size Class
Max
30 %
Shrub 1.0m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 84 of 236
Class D
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late1 Open
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Description
Max
Min
0%
Cover
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Description
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
5
Avg FI
Replacement
Mixed
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
250
0.004
250
0.00402
Percent of All Fires
100
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Tech. Bull. 62. Pullman: Washington State
University, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. 131 p.
Daubenmire, R. 1982. The distribution of Artemisia rigida in Washington: a challenge to ecology and
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 85 of 236
geology. Northwest Science. 56(3): 162–164.
Monsen, Stephen B.; Stevens, Richard; Shaw, Nancy L., comps. 2004. Restoring western
ranges and wildlands. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-136-vol-2. Fort Collins, CO: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Pages 295–
698 plus index.
Tisdale, E. W.; Hironaka, M. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: a review of the ecological literature. Bull. 33.
Moscow: University of Idaho, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, Forest, Wildlife and Range
Experiment Station. 31 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 86 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0910800
Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush
Shrubland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Louisa Evers
Date
[email protected] Reviewer Jeff Rose/Gregg
ov
Riegel
Reviewer
[email protected]
Modeler 2 Jim Evans
Modeler 3
Upland Shrubland
ARTR
GRSP
POSE
BACA
[email protected]
v
Reviewer
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Dominant Species*
10/6/2005
General Model Sources
HECO
ACHY
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
8
9
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This BpS occurs in central Washington, Pasco Basin and similarly low-lying areas of the Columbia Plateau
in Washington, and likely occurs in northern Oregon along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Additionally,
the type may occur around Pleistocene lakes in the great basin.
Biophysical Site Description
This BpS occurs in the warmest and driest portions of the Columbia Plateau. Soils vary from silt-loam to
sandy to lithic, although surface rock is uncommon in the lithic soil types. Average annual precipitation is
around 6-7 inches, falling primarily as winter rain.
Vegetation Description
Wyoming big sagebrush is the primary species. Spiny hopsage is often associated with the Wyoming big
sagebrush and occasionally co-dominant or dominant. Basin big sagebrush is uncommon and limited to the
most mesic sites.
Sandberg's bluegrass is the primary herbaceous species. Large bunchgrasses are generally absent except on
sandy soils where needle-and-thread and Indian ricegrass occur. Forbs are relatively sparse and species
richness relatively low compared to other big sagebrush BpSs.
Disturbance Description
Lightning fires are relatively rare due to a combination of a low number of strikes relative to surrounding
areas and accompanying rain that often extinguishes starts. The BpS typically lacks the fine fuels needed to
help fires start and spread readily. Nonetheless, fires did occur occasionally and could burn large areas,
usually driven by wind.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 98 of 236
Shrub die-offs have occurred in the late 20th C. in this type, but the causes are largely unknown. Whether
similar die-offs were characteristic of the historical conditions is also unknown.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This type can easily be confused with the late-seral closed canopy stage of Inter-Mountain Basins Big
Sagebrush Steppe (1125), particularly since fire exclusion, grazing, and other land use practices have
resulted in a shift towards the late seral closed canopy stage in that BpS. However, from the ground level
large bunchgrasses, particularly bluebunch wheatgrass, are generally absent from this BpS.
The Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe occurs adjacent and intergrades with this BpS. InterMountain Basin Sparsely Vegetated Systems, particularly the Active and Stabilized Dune formation, co­
occurs with this type.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
If more than 40% shrub cover is present then another BpS is present.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This community occurs in the 1,000s to 10,000s of acres, and disturbances could effect large areas of this.
Issues/Problems
Past over-grazing allowed invasive annual grasses, mostly cheatgrass, to establish within this BpS.
Cheatgrass has fueled larger and more frequent fires than occurred historically and is resulting in a type
conversion.
Grazing probably also contributed to an increasing density of large shrubs and reduction of perennial grasses. Spiny hopsage has only rarely been observed to reproduce in central Washington over the last 50 years,
basically since observations began.
The scope, scale, and purpose for any burning by Native Americans is not known.
Comments
Although the return interval suggests fire regime II, this was a mixed severity regime with relatively
infrequent fire due to highly variable fine fuels. Many fires may have been small in size (under 100 acres)
and not as ecologically significant as fires over 100 acres. These larger fires were more likely following
wetter than average years with higher than average grass loadings.
Reviewers added a bit to extend the geographic range of the type, and to add rabbitbrsuh (Chrysothamnus)
as a common shrub in the type, especially after disturbance. Large perennial bunchgrasses would also be
common in addition to Sandberg's bluegrass. Needle-and-thread, Bluebunch wheatgrass, basin wildrye
would be the dominants.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 99 of 236
Class A
15 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
This class is dominated by herbs
with canopy closure up to 10%.
Typical species include Sandberg's
bluegrass with needle-and-thread
and Indian ricegrass on sandy soils
and perennial forbs such as Carey's
balsamroot and native annual
forbs. Succession to Class B after
15 years.
Class B
35 %
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Small, scattered sagebrush and
spiny hopsage are now present
although canopy cover from shrubs
is generally less than 10%.
Sandberg's bluegrass remains the
dominant grass species on most
soils. Forbs are well established
and essentially mature with cover
of less than 10% Total vegetation
cover is generally 25% or less.
Biological soil crust is reforming
but large amounts of bare ground
remain. Succession to Class C
after 20 years. Mixed and
replacement fires.
Class C
40 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Sagebrush and spiny hopsage are
approaching maximum size with
some additional regeneration
present. Shrub cover is higher, but
still generally less than 20%. The
mix of grass and forb species
generally remains unchanged with a
canopy cover of about 20% or less.
Biological soil crusts are now well
developed although areas of bare
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POSE
HECO2
AMSIN
EPILO
Low-Mid
Upper Middle Middle Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Low-Mid
Upper
Mid-Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Upper
Upper
Low-Mid
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
0%
Max
10 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
Max
10 %
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Dominant lifeform is herb. Min cover is 11%;
max cover = 20%. Min height is 0m, max
height is 0.5m.
1
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTR
GRSP
POSE
HECO2
0
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
POSE
ARTR
GRSP
HECO2
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
11 %
Cover
Height
Shrub 0.6m
Tree Size Class
Max
20 %
Shrub 1.0m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
1
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 100 of 236
soil remain. Succession to Class D
after 45 years.
Class D
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
10 %
Late Development 1 Closed
Description
Generally, after about 80 years the
site now supports the maximum
cover it can, but is still generally
less than 40% overall. Shrubs
comprise most of this cover with
grasses and forbs contributing a
minor amount. Biological soil
crusts are fully developed with
relatively few areas of bare soil.
Class E
ARTR
GRSP
POSE
HECO2
Upper
Upper
Lower
Mid-Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Min
21 %
Shrub 0.6m
Height
Tree Size Class
Late Development 1 Closed
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Description
Height
NONE
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
40 %
Shrub 1.0m
5
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Max
100 %
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
0
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
3
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
72
60
0.013889
0.016667
33
0.03057
Percent of All Fires
45
55
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 101 of 236
References Cardenas, J. Lewinsohn, C. Auger, J.L. Downs, L.L. Cadwell, and R. Burrows, 1997. Characterization of a
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) Die-off on the Hanford Site. PNNL-11700, Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
Cline, J.F., D.W. Uresk, and W.H. Rickard. 1977. Plants and soil of a sagebrush community on the Hanford
Reservation. Northwest Science 51: 60-70.
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe Vegetation of Washington. Washington Agricultural Experiment Station,
Technical Bulletin 62. Pullman, WA.
Downs, J.L., W.H. Rickard, C.A. Brandt, L.L. Cadwell, C.E. Cushing, D.R. Geist, R.M. Mazaika, D.A.
Neitzel, L.E. Rogers, M.R. Sackschewsky, and J.J. Nugent. 1993. Habitat Types on the Hanford Site:
Wildlife and Plant Species of Concern. PNL-8942. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA.
Easterly, R., and D. Salstrom. 1998. Central Hanford: 1997 Plant Community Inventory. Report to The
Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle, WA.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
DRAFT
Page 102 of 236
Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model The Rapid Assessment is a component of the LANDFIRE project. Reference condition models for the Rapid Assessment were
created through a series of expert workshops and a peer-review process in 2004 and 2005. For more information, please visit
www.landfire.gov. Please direct questions to [email protected].
Potential Natural Vegetation Group (PNVG)
R2PIJU
Juniper and Pinyon Juniper Steppe Woodland
General Information
Contributors (additional contributors may be listed under "Model Evolution and Comments")
Modelers
Reviewers
Steve Bunting
Krista Waid
Henry Bastian
Vegetation Type
Woodland
Dominant Species*
JUOS
PIED
JUOC
PIMO
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
George Gruell
Jolie Pollet
Peter Weisberg
General Model Sources
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
LANDFIRE Mapping Zones
12
17
13
18
16
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Rapid AssessmentModel Zones
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This PNVG is found throughout the Great Basin zone. Juniper Steppe generally occurred at the lower
elevation portions and transitions into the Pinyon-juniper woodlands at the upper end of its range. Pinyon is
not found north of northwestern Nevada (Interstate 80 in Nevada is close to the northern edge of pinyon
distribution) and is absent from lower elevations where juniper can tolerate drier conditions (elevation of
lower limit varies greatly throughout the Great Basin). Similarly, pinyon is found in pure stands at higher
elevations where juniper cannot establish. PNVG is Juniper Pinyon-Infrequent Fire type, scattered
throughout the Colorado Plateau, Southern Rockies, and
Southwest Desert.
Biophysical Site Description
This type generally occurred on shallow rocky soils, or rock dominated sites that are protected from
frequent fire (rocky ridges, steep slopes, broken topography, mesa tops). Annual precipitation is typically
greater than 12 inches, although drier sites (>5 inches) are common in Nevada. Elevation ranges from 4500­
8000 feet, but varies greatly from north to south.
Vegetation Description
Since disturbance was uncommon to rare in this PNVG and the overstory conifers may live for over 1000
years, patches were primarily composed of later seral stages (D & E; see below) that did not occur as
extensive woodlands, and that should be distinguished from shrubland ecological sites encroached by
pinyon or juniper during the last 150 years. It is estimated that 400 years is required for old juniper
woodland stands to develop (Romme et al. 2003). In the northwestern portions of the Great Basin zone, no
co- dominant pinyon pine occurs with JUOC and here western juniper dominates throughout the entire
woodland zone.
Tree overstory of mature woodlands varies across the Great Basin zone and consists of large individuals of
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), western juniper (Juniper occidentalis), oneseed juniper (Juniperus
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 1 of 7
monosperma), pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and/or single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla). The age structure
may vary from uneven to even aged. The overstory cover is normally less that 25%, although it can
sometimes be higher (<40%) where pinyon occurs.
Understory shrub cover is less than 5% and composed of various sagebrush species, rabbitbrush, and/or
mountain snowberry. Common herbaceous plants include (with regional variation) Idaho fescue,
bottlebrush squireltail, needle-and-thread grass, onion grass, Sandberg bluegrass, arrowleaf balsamroot,
tapertip hawksbeard, and wild onion. In Utah and Nevada the understory shrub cover consists of various
sagebrush species. Herbaceous plants would include Sandberg bluegrass, bottlebrush squireltail, needle­
and-thread grass, Idaho fescue (more north), and blue gramma.
Disturbance Description
Uncertainty exists about the fire frequencies of this PNVG, especially since this PNVG groups different
types of pinyon-juniper communities for different slopes, exposures, and elevations. Fire occurrence was
primarily determined by fire occurrence in the surrounding matrix vegetation. Lightning-ignited fires were
common but typically did not affect more than a few individual trees. Replacement fires were uncommon to
rare (average FRI of 100-500 yrs) and occurred primarily during extreme fire behavior conditions. Mixed
severity fire (average FRI of 100-500 yrs) was characterized as a mosaic of replacement and surface fires
distributed through the patch at a fine scale (<0.1 acres). Surface fires could occur in stands where
understory grass (FEID) cover is high and provides adequate fuel. Surface fires were primarily responsible
for producing fire scars on juniper or pinyon trees (average FRI of 100 yrs).
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Fire regime primarily determined by adjacent vegetation and spread from the adjacent types into this
community.
In modern days, surrounding matrix vegetation has changed to young-mid aged woodlands that burn more
intensely than the former sagebrush matrix. Many lay-people confuse these younger pinyon and juniper
woodlands with true woodlands dependent on naturally fire-protected features.
This PNVG may be similar to the PNVGs R3PIJUff and R3PIJUrf from the Southwest model zone. It may
also be similar to the PNVG R0JUNIan from the Northern and Central Rockies model zone, but the
Northern and Central Rockies model does not include pinyon pine.
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Literature
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
Juniper/Pinyon-Juniper Steppe was usually distributed across the landscape in patches that range from 10's
to 100's of acres in size. In areas with very broken topography and/or mesa landforms this type may have
occurred in patches of several hundred acres. In Utah and Nevada pinyon and juniper landscape patches
tended to be 10-100's of acres in size.
Issues/Problems
Experts pointed out that there is much uncertainty in model parameters, particularly the fire regime.
Quantitative data is lacking and research is on-going. The literature for this PNVG's fire history is based on
the chronologies from other pines species that are better fire recorders, growing under conditions that may
not represent fire environments typical of infrequent-fire pinyon and juniper communities. Different experts
offered that fire was much more frequent or much less frequent than proposed here and that min and max
cover values per class were lower or higher. For example, surface fire, which leaves scars on these other
pine species (but not on fire-sensitive pinyon or juniper), has no effect on the dynamics of the model,
although surface fire maintains the open structure of classes D and E by thinning younger trees. However,
experts argued strongly for less or more surface fire. Because the parameter values of the FRIs for surface
fire, mixed severity, and replacement fire are actually comparable to those of surrounding sagebrush
systems (see PNVGs for Wyoming big sagebrush, black sagebrush, and dwarf sagebrushes), the proposed
FRIs were judged frequent enough and retained. The key parameter was the long FRI of replacement fire in
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 2 of 7
classes D and E. Reducing the FRI from 1,000 yrs to 500 yrs (retained), decreased, respectively, the percent
of class E from 65 to 45 but increased, respectively, the percentage of class D from 20 to 35.
Replacement fire in classes B and C cause a transition to A, however, in reality, this type of fire does not
topkill perennial grasses. Therefore, succession age in A after these transitions should be greater than 0 and
less than 10. In future LANDFIRE modeling, one should consider creating 2 early development classes; one
dominated by annual forbs (the result of replacement fire in mature woodlands) succeeding to the other
early class after 10 years and the second early development class dominated by perennial grasses (the result
of replacement fire in shrub-dominated classes of woodlands), then shrubs later on, succeeding to a shrubdominated class after 30 years. Overall, results would not be too different, if at all, from current results, but
be more ecologically correct.
Model Evolution and Comments
Other expert reviewers: Gary Back ([email protected]) and William Bryant ([email protected]).
Succession Classes**
Succession classes are the equivalent of "Vegetation Fuel Classes" as defined in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (www.frcc.gov).
Class A
5%
Early1 PostRep
Description
Initial post-fire community
dominated by annual forbs. Later
stages of this class contain greater
amounts of perennial grasses and
forbs. Duration 10 years with
succession to B, mid-development
closed. Replacement fire occurs
every 100 yrs on average, thus
resetting to zero the succession
clock. Infrequent mixed severity
fire (average FRI of 300 yrs) thins
vegetation but has no effect on
succession age.
Class B
5%
Mid1 Closed
Description
Dominated by shrubs, perennial
forbs and grasses. Total cover
remains low due to shallow
unproductive soil. Duration 20
years with succession to C unless
infrequent replacement fire (FRI of
100 yrs) returns the vegetation to
A. It is important to note that
replacement fire at this stage does
not eliminate perennial grasses,
thus, in reality, succession age in A
after this type of fire would be
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
EPAN
CRAC
CRYP
SENEC
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
10 %
Min
2%
no data
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTRV
SYOR
ACOC3
CRAC
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
5%
no data
Max
10 %
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 3 of 7
older than 0 and less than 10.
Mixed severity fire (average FRI of
100 yrs) thins the woody vegetation
but does not change its succession
age.
Class C
10 %
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
ARTRV
SYOR
Description
POSE
Shrub dominated community with
young juniper and pinyon seedlings ACOC3
becoming established. Duration 70 Upper Layer Lifeform
years with succession to D unless
Herbaceous
replacement fire (average FRI of
Shrub
200 yrs) causes a transition to A. It
Tree
is important to note that
Fuel Model no data
replacement fire at this stage does
not eliminate perennial grasses,
thus, in reality, succession age in A
after this type of fire would be
older than 0 and less than 10.
Mixed severity fire as in B.
Mid1 Open
Class D
35 %
Late1 Open
Description
Community dominated by young
juniper and pine of mixed age
structure. Juniper and pinyon
becoming competitive on site and
beginning to affect understory
composition. Duration 300 years
with succession to E unless
replacement fire (average FRI of
500 yrs) causes a transition to A.
Mixed severity fire is less frequent
than in previous states (200 yrs),
whereas surface fire every 100 yrs
on average becomes more
important at this age in succession.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
JUOC/J
PIED/PI
SYOR
FEID
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
no data
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Tree Size Class
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
20 %
no data
Min
11 %
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Cover
Upper Layer Lifeform
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
11 %
no data
Max
30 %
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
no data
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 4 of 7
Class E
45 %
Late1 Open
Description
Site dominated by widely spaced
old juniper and pinyon. Understory
depauperate and high amounts of
bare ground present. Grasses (e.g.,
Idaho fescue in more northern or
cooler areas) present on microsites
sites with deeper soils (>20 inches)
with restricting clay subsurface
horizon. Potential maximum
overstory coverage is greater in
those stands with pinyon as
compared to those with only
juniper. Replacement fire and
mixed severity fires are rare
(average FRIs of 500 yrs). Surface
fire every 100 yrs on average will
scar ancient trees. Duration 600+
yrs.
Dominant Species* and
Canopy Position
JUOC/J
PIED/PI
FEID
BASA
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
no data
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
no data
no data
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Max
40 %
Min
21 %
Cover
no data
Disturbances Disturbances Modeled
Fire
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other:
Other
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Avg: no data
Min: no data
Max: no data
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Fire Regime Group: 3
I: 0-35 year frequency, low and mixed severity
II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity
III: 35-200 year frequency, low and mixed severity
IV: 35-200 year frequency, replacement severity
V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity
Fire Intervals (FI)
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. All values are
estimates and not precise.
Replacement
Mixed
Surface
All Fires
Avg FI
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
333
217
135
67
100
100
100
1000
1000
100
0.00300
0.00461
0.00741
0.01502
Percent of All Fires
20
31
49
References
Alexander, R. R, F. Ronco, Jr. 1987. Classification of the forest vegetation on the National Forests of Arizona
and New Mexico. Res. Note RM-469. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 10 p.
Anderson, H. E. 1982. Aids to Determining Fuel Models For Estimating Fire Behavior. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT­
122. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 22 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 5 of 7
Arno, S. F. 2000. Fire in western forest ecosystems. In: Brown, James K.; Kapler-Smith, Jane, eds. Wildland
fire in ecosystems: Effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 97-120.
Baker, W. L. and D. J. Shinneman. 2004. Fire and restoration of piĔon-juniper woodlands in the western
United States. A review. Forest Ecology and Management 189:1-21.
Bradley, A. F., N. V. Noste, and W. C. Fischer. 1992. Fire Ecology of Forests and Woodlands in Utah. Gen.
Tech. Rep. GTR- INT-287. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain
Research Station. 127 p.
Brown, J. K. and J. K. Smith, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep.
RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. 257 p.
Erdman, J. A. 1970. Pinyon-juniper succession after natural fires on residual soils of Mesa Verde, Colorado.
Science Bulletin, Biological Series - -Volume XI, No. 2. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 26 p.
Everett, R. L. and , K. Ward. 1984. Early Plant Succession on Pinyon-Juniper Controlled Burns. Northwest
Science 58:57-68.
Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of
American Foresters. 148 p.
Goodrich, S. and B. Barber. 1999. Return Interval for Pinyon-Juniper Following Fire in the Green River
Corridor, Near Dutch John, Utah. In: USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9.
Gruell, G. E. Historical and Modern Roles of Fire in Pinyon-Juniper. In: Proceedings, USDA Forest Service
RMRS-P-9. p. 24-28.
Gruell, G. E., L. E. Eddleman, and R. Jaindl. 1994. Fire History of the Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands of Great
Basin National Park. Technical Report NPS/PNROSU/NRTR-94/01. U.S. Department of Interior, National
Park Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 27 p.
Hardy, C. C., K. M. Schmidt, J. P. Menakis, R. N. Samson. 2001. Spatial data for national fire planning and
fuel management. Int. J. Wildland Fire. 10(3&4):353-372.
Hessburg, P.F., B. G. Smith, R. B. Salter, R. D. Ottmar., and E. Alvarado. 2000. Recent changes (1930s­
1990s) in spatial patterns of interior northwest forests, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 136:53-83.
Kilgore, B.M. 1981. Fire in ecosystem distribution and structure: western forests and scrublands. P. 58-89. In:
H.A. Mooney et al. (Technical Coordinators). Proceedings: Conference on Fire Regimes and Ecosystem Properties, Honolulu, 1978. Gen.
Tech. Rep. WO-GTR-26.
Kuchler, A.W. 1964. Potential Natural Vegetation of the Conterminous United States. American Geographic
Society Special Publication No. 36. 116 p.
Ogle, K. and V. DuMond. 1997. Historical Vegetation on National Forest Lands in the Intermountain Region.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 129 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 6 of 7
Ott, J., E., E. D. McArthur, and S. C. Sanderson. 2001. Plant Community Dynamics of Burned and Unburned
Sagebrush and Pinyon-Juniper Vegetation in West-Central Utah. In: Proceedings, USDA Forest Service
RMRS-P-9. p. 177-190.
Romme, W. H., L. Floyd-Hanna, and D. Hanna. 2002. Ancient Pinyon-Juniper forests of Mesa Verde and the
West: A cautionary note for forest restoration programs. In: Conference Proceedings – Fire, Fuel Treatments,
and Ecological Restoration: Proper Place, Appropriate Time, Fort Collins, CO, April 2002. 19 p.
Schmidt, K. M., J. P. Menakis, C. C. Hardy, W. J. Hann, and D. L. Bunnell. 2002. Development of coarsescale spatial data for wildland fire and fuel management. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-87. Fort Collins, CO:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 41 p. + CD.
Soule’, P. T. and P. A. Knapp. 1999. Western juniper expansion on adjacent disturbed and near-relict sites.
Journal of Range Management 52:525-533.
Soule’, P. T. and P. A. Knapp. 2000. Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper) establishment history on two
minimally disturbed research natural areas in central Oregon. Western North American Naturalist (60)1:26-33.
Stein, S. J. 1988. Fire History of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Southern Utah. Great Basin Naturalist. 48:58-63.
Tausch, R. J. and N. E. West. 1987. Differential Establishment of Pinyon and Juniper Following Fire. The
American Midland Naturalist 119(1). P. 174-184.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory
(2002, December). Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/
[Accessed: 11/15/04].
Ward, K. V. 1977. Two-Year Vegetation Response and Successional Trends for Spring Burns in the PinyonJuniper Woodland. M.S. Thesis, University of Nevada, Reno. 54 p.
Wright, H. A., L. F. Neuenschwander, and C. M. Britton. 1979. The role and use of fire in Sagebrush-Grass
and Pinyon-Juniper Plant Communities. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-58. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 48 p.
Young, J. A., and R. A. Evans. 1981. Demography and Fire History of a Western Juniper Stand. Journal of
Range Management 34:501-505.
Young, J. A., and R. A. Evans. 1978. Population Dynamics after Wildfires in Sagebrush Grasslands. Journal
of Range Management 31:283-289.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species
code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov.
Final Document 9-30-2005
Page 7 of 7
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911450
Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Mesic
Meadow
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Date 11/18/2005
Modeler 1 Cheri Howe
[email protected]
Reviewer Nathan Williamson Nathan_Williamson@
Modeler 2 Julia Richardson
Modeler 3
[email protected]
Reviewer Vic Ecklund
Reviewer Chuck Kostecka
nps.gov
[email protected]
kostecka@webaccess.
net
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Upland Grassland/Herbaceous
Dominant Species*
ERIGE
MERT
PENST
CAMP
General Model Sources
LUPIN
SOLID
DECA
KOEL
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
16
19
23
9
24
8
28
10
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Found in the Rocky Mountains, restricted to the subalpine zone typically above 3000 m in the southern part,
1500 m in the north. The type can occur in subalpine regions in the Blue and Wallowa Mtn. of OR and WA.
Biophysical Site Description
Finely textured soils. Snow deposition, wind swept dry conditions limit tree establishment. On gentle to
moderate gradient slopes. Soils seasonally moist in spring, drying out later in the growing season.
Vegetation Description
Vegetation is typically forb-rich, with forbs contributing more to overall herbaceous cover than
graminoids. Important taxa include Agastache urticifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Erigeron spp., Senecio
spp., Helianthella spp., Mertensia spp., Penstemon spp., Campanula spp., Hackelia spp., Lupinus spp.,
Solidago spp., Ligusticum spp., Osmorhiza spp., Thalictrum spp., Valeriana spp., Veratrum spp.,
Delphinium spp., Aconitum spp., Balsamorhiza sagitatta, Wyethia spp. Burrowing mammals can increase
for density.
Disturbance Description
Fires are primarily replacement and occur about every 40 years. Mixed severity fire (mean FRI of 75 years)
occurs in late development meadows and removes shrubs. The ignition source is generally not in this type
and probably associated with native burning in the fall and spring, but spreads from adjacent shrub or tree
dominated sites, such as mountain big sagebrush, ponderosa pine, and aspen.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 180 of 236
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This BpS could be confused with low forb/alpine shrub communities. Often adjacent to aspen/tall forb
communities, mountain or big sagebrush/tall forb communities, and upper montane/subalpine spruce-fir
communities. In degraded sites this community may convert to silver sagebrush/tall forb.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Scale Description
Range in size from less than ten acres to 300 acres.
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Issues/Problems
With heavy grazing these sites can convert to undesirable forbs and grasses such as Circium spp. (thistle), Galium spp. (bedstraw), Rudbeckia occidentalis (coneflower), Helenium hoopesii (Orange sneezeweed), Polygonum spp. (knotweed), Rumex spp. (sorrel or dock), Circium spp. (thistle, any species), Taraxacom officinale (dandelion), Wyethia amplexicaulis (mulesears), Madia glomerata (mountain tarweed), Descurainia spp. (tansymustard), and Nemophila
brevifolia (basin blue eyes), Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), Agrostis exarata (bentgrass), Dactylis
glomerata (orchardgrass), Bromus inermis (smooth brome), Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), Poa bulbosa (bulbous bluegrass), and Vulpia octoflora (six-week fescue). Roads and trails can impact these sites. There is not much information about this type. We estimated the fire frequency of 40 years based on adjacent aspen, herbaceous and sagebrush communities. Also, because fire was assumed to occur in the fall and spring when the summer's green and wet biomass would be dead and cured, replacement fire has little effect on annual tall forbs themselves. Fires would affect encroaching shrubs.
Comments
This is nearly identical to the model for the same BpS in mapping zones 10, 16, 23, 24, and 28. The model
was reviewed for mapping zones 10 and 19 by Mary Manning ([email protected]). Minor edits were
made to the description for mapping zones 10 and 19. Foster imported this model from MZ10 with
modifications to the geographic range section to include MZ 08.
Vegetation Classes Class A
5%
Early1 Open
Description
Vegetation is typically forb-rich,
with forbs contributing more to
overall herbaceous cover than
graminoids. Succession to class B
after 3 years. Replacement fire
(mean FRI of 40
years) presumably occurred during
the fall and spring, therefore
removing completely dead
biomass, but, in these early
development meadows, fire would
not cause an ecological setback
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ERIGE2 Upper LUPIN Upper DECA1 Upper Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Height
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
1
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 181 of 236
(i.e., relative age = 0) because fire
would simply remove dead annual
forbs.
Class B
45 %
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ERIGE2 Upper
LUPIN Upper
DECA Upper
Mid1 Open
Description
Vegetation is typically forb-rich,
with forbs contributing more to
Upper Layer Lifeform
overall herbaceous cover than
graminoids. Some increase in shrub
Herbaceous
component, shrubs young and less
Shrub
than 5% cover. Succession to C
Tree
after 20 years. Replacement fire
Fuel Model 1
removes shrubs (mean FRI of 40
years).
Class C
50 %
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ASTER
LUPIN
ROWO
RIBES
Late1 Open
Description
Middle
Middle
Middle
Middle
Vegetation is typically forb-rich,
with forbs contributing more to
overall herbaceous cover than
Upper Layer Lifeform
graminoids. Five to 10% of cover
Herbaceous
in late seral may be woody species
Shrub
from adjacent plant communities
Tree
such as Populus tremuloides,
Artemisia cana, Artemisia
tridentata, Rosa woodsii, Ribes spp
and Amelanchier spp. Mixed
severity fire (mean FRI of 75 years)
Fuel Model 1
removes shrubs from overstory.
Replacement fire (mean FRI of 40
years) sets site back to class A.
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Herb 0.6m
Tree Size Class
Max
100 %
Herb 1.0m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Shrubs may be present, but will be <5% cover.
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Height
Shrub 0m
Tree Size Class
Max
10 %
Shrub >3.1m
Seedling <4.5ft
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Forbs dominate. Trees (Populus tremuloides)
or shrubs (Artemisia cana, Artemisia tridentata,
Rosa woodsii, Ribes spp and Amelanchier spp.)
may be the upper layer lifeform, with low
canopy cover (<10%).
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Min
0%
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
NONE
Max
0%
NONE
None
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 182 of 236
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Description
NONE
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
%
Cover
Height
%
NONE
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Surface
Avg 50
Min 1
Max 250
All Fires
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
40
161
0.025
0.006211
32
0.03122
Percent of All Fires
80
20
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Barrett, Stephen W. 1984. Fire history of the River of No Return Wilderness: River Breaks Zone. Final
Report. Missoula, MT: Systems for Environmental Management. 40 p + appendices.
Fischer, William C.; Bradley, Anne F. 1987. Fire ecology of western Montana forest habitat types. Gen. Tech.
Rep. INT-223. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station.
95 p.
Gregory, Shari. 1983. Subalpine forb community types of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming. Final
Report. U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Education Agreement: Contract OM 40-8555-3-115. Ogden, UT:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 100 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 183 of 236
Lackschewitz, Klaus. 1991. Vascular plants of west-central Montana--identification guidebook. Gen. Tech.
Rep. INT-227. Ogden, UT:U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station.
648 p.
Lotan, James E.; Alexander, Martin E.; Arno, Stephen F.; [and others]. 1981. Effects of fire on flora: A state
of-knowledge review. National fire effects workshop; 1978 April 10-14; Denver, CO. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO­
16. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 71 p.
NatureServe. 2005. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.4.
NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: May 6, 2005 ).
Young, Richard P. 1986. Fire ecology and management in plant communities of Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge. Portland, OR: Oregon State University. 169 p. Thesis.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 184 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911240
Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Modeler 1 Jon Bates
Date
10/5/2005
[email protected] Reviewer Jeff Rose/Gregg
du
Riegel
[email protected] Reviewer
v
[email protected] Reviewer
Modeler 2 Louisa Evers
Modeler 3 Monte Kuk
[email protected]
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Upland Savannah/Shrub Steppe
Dominant Species*
General Model Sources
ARAR
POSA
FEID
AGSP
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
9
8
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This type occurs in central & southeast Oregon.
Biophysical Site Description
The soils are shallow, clayey or stony loams with bedrock, or a restrictive layer (often heavy clay) present
(12 to 20 inches). Slopes are gradual (0 to 30%).
Precipitation ranges from 8-30 inches, mostly falling as winter snow. Effective moisture is limited because
of shallow soils. Soils are frequently saturated to the surface in the winter. Soil temperature regime is
mesic to frigid.
Vegetation Description
Potential native plant community is dominated by low sagebrush and is associated with Idaho fescue and
Bluebunch wheatgrass. Thurber's Needlegrass, Bottlebrush Squirreltail, Sandberg bluegrass, and Prairie
Junegrass. A variety of forbs are usually present including Phlox, Lomatium, Crepis, Buckwheat, Bighead
clover & Lupine. Composition is typically 50-60% grass, 10% forbs and 20-30% shrub.
The clayey sites with heavy clay restrictive layer are a bit more productive than the rocky sites, but they are
similar structurally and their fire behavior is similar. Species composition is similar, but these productive
sites will have a higher component of Bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue and a larger component of
large perennial forbs (Crepis, Lupine, Astragalus, Balsamorhiza).
Disturbance Description
Low sagebrush regenerates slowly after fire. Fires do not carry well, but may be possible after a couple of
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 124 of 236
wet years and combined with high wind conditions.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
Associated with Basin, Mountain, & Wyoming big sagebrush (Intermountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe,
Intermountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe) . Low sagebrush is found intermixed with big sagebrush
associations as well as in extensive stands. Low sagebrush is also found in stringer stands intermixed with
mixed conifer forest.
Cheatgrass and Medusahead grasses are less likely to invade undisturbed sites in good condition. Some
stands have seen reductions in large perennial bunchgrasses and forbs as a result of past grazing history,
which has shifted the landscape towards Class C.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Shrub cover over 30% probably indicates a high productivity site that could be a big sagebrush BpS.
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
This vegetation class ranges from 1 acre to thousands of acres, and is patchy or intermixed with other plant
communities.
Issues/Problems
These types are commonly threatened by invasion from annual grasses such as medusa head and cheatgrass.
Comments
Adopted from the low sagebrush Rapid Assessments made earlier by Jeff Rose and Joe Wagner. Peer
review of the LANDFIRE model included more specificity about site characteristics and species response.
Peer review comments were to delete
Vegetation Classes Class A
10 %
Early Development 1 All Struc
Description
0 to 1% low sagebrush cover.
Herbaceauos cover of bunchgrasses
& forbs would fill to about 20-30
% within a few years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PSSP6
POSE
LOMA
EPPA
Low-Mid
Upper
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Tree Size Class
Min
0%
Max
30 %
Herb 0m
Herb 0.5m
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 125 of 236
Class B
40 %
Mid Development 1 Open
Description
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PSSP6
POSE
LOMA
ARAR8
Upper
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Upper
Scattered and usually small
sagebrush is present, but perennial
Upper Layer Lifeform
grasses and forbs continue to
dominate. The general formation is
Herbaceous
that of a shrub savannah.
Shrub
Sagebrush cover is usually 1-5% in
Tree
this stage.
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
1%
Max
10 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
Tree Size Class
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Dominant lifeform is herb. Min cover = 20%,
Max cover = 40%. Min height = Herb 0.6m;
Max height = Herb 1.0m
Fuel Model
Class C
50 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ARAR8
PSSP6
POSE
LOMA
Upper
Upper
Low-Mid
Low-Mid
Sagebrush is codominant with
perennial grasses and forbs.
Sagebrush and herbaceous cover
Upper Layer Lifeform
can be variable depending on site
Herbaceous
productivity. Bare ground and rock
Shrub
in the interspaces increase on less
Tree
productive sites. The general
Fuel Model
formation is that of a shrubland.
Expected composition is 50-60%
grass; 5-10% forbs; 20-40%
shrubs. Windswept ridges with
thinner soils may be still more open.
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 Open
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
11 %
Max
30 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 0.5m
Tree Size Class
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Description
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Min
0%
Max
%
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 126 of 236
Class E
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
0%
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Description
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
170
315
0.005882
0.003175
110
0.00907
Percent of All Fires
65
35
Surface
Avg
Min
Max
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Lakeview NRCS Soil Survey information. Range Site MLRA - D21 & D23.
Miller, Richard. History, Ecology, and Management of Western Juniper Woodlands and Associated
Shrublands: Annual report of Preliminary Results and Progress (1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999). Eastern
Oregon Agricultural Research Center, HC71, 4.51 HWY 205, Burns, OR 97720.
Miller, Richard ,Chris Baisan, Jeff Rose and Dave Paciorett. 2001. Pre- and Post- Settlement Fire Regimes
in Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe and Aspen: The Northwestern Great Basin. (Final Report 2001 to the
National Interagency Fire Center).
Steinberg, Peter D. 2002. Artemisia arbuscula. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory
(Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2004, November 30].
Wagner, Joe, and Lance Okeson. - Juniper Mountain - CCC Exclosure - 4 FIREMON Plots in area. (data at
the LAKEVIEW INTERAGENCY OFFICE - Lakeview, Oregon).
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Page 127 of 236
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting 091056
Pacific Northwest Subalpine Mesic SpruceFir Forest and Woodland
Forest and Woodland
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field
Modeler 1 Mike Simpson
Date
10/6/2005
Reviewer
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Modeler 2 Dave Swanson
Modeler 3 Dave Powell
Reviewer
Reviewer
FRCC
Map Zones
9
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
ABLA
PIEN
PICO
VAME
CLUN
LIBO3
LEGL
General Model Sources
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
This type occurs in the Blue and Wallowa Mountains in NE Oregon and SE Washington.
Biophysical Site Description
These sites are characterized by mid-elevations to upper timberline (4200-7800 ft), cold temperatures, on
a variety of aspects. Soils tend to be relatively deep (>30 in depth) on most parent materials but can be
shallower (around 20 in depth) on colluvium and alluvium.
Vegetation Description
Dominated by subalpine fir and Englemann spruce. Englemann spruce lives longer and is more disease
resistant than subalpine fir, but is less tolerant. Englemann spruce can be climax in some riparian zones.
Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and western larch are important species in the sere, with Douglas-fir on
drier, warmer sites at lower elevations. Understory indicators include false bugbane, Clintonia, Labrador
tea, menziesia, and twinflower at lower elevations, and big huckleberry.
Disturbance Description
Fires tend to be replacement events when they occur, since both subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce have
little resistance to fire. Root diseases, dwarf mistletoe, and (especially) bark beetles are important
disturbance agents.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
This type occurs adjacent to 1047 (moist mixed conifer) at low elevations and 1055 (dry-mesic subalpine
fir) on droughty sites and windswept high elevations. Subalpine fir also occurs in Zone 1 within the
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+
year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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Page 137 of 202
Pacific Northwest Region.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
The BpS can cover hundreds or thousands of acres, and fires can cover a large area, too, once initiated.
Issues/Problems
Local experts should review and correct as necessary. There should be some discussion as to whether the
mapzone 1 and mapzone 8 models should be the same.
Comments
Tom DeMeo assisted with the model development. We started model development with the same values as
for the rocky Mountain spruce-fir, bet here there is a warmer environment with a shorter replacement fire
return interval.
Vegetation Classes
Class A
15 %
Early Development 1 Open
Description
Early succession after stand
replacement
fires. Herbaceous species
dominate for the first 5 to 10
years, followed by codominant
shrubs and tree saplings. Tree
regeneration is dominated by
lodgepole pine, resulting in
succession to class C.
Occasionally, a lack of lodgepole
seed source allows spruce and fir
to dominate from the beginning, a
condition portrayed in our model
by alternate succession from class
A to B. Succession to Class C
after about 30 years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
CHAN9
SASC
VAME
PICO
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Height
Shrub 0m
Shrub 3.0m
Tree Size Class
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+
year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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Page 138 of 202
Class B
20 %
Mid Development 2 All Struct
Description
Stands composed of mid-sized
spruce and fir, 5-15" DBH, with
minor lodgepole pine, Douglas fir,
grand fir, and larch. Standreplacement fires are not unusual
but insect/disease outbreaks are
rare. One pathway that lead to
this class is from class A, when
regeneration after standreplacement fires lacks significant
lodgepole pine. A second pathway
is from class D, when spruce and
fir become established under
lodgepole pine and persist through
bark beetle attacks on lodgepole
and escape fire. Fires are
somewhat less frequent than in
lodgepole-dominated stands
(classes C and D) because of
higher ground fuel moisture
contents.
Class C
35 %
Mid Development 1 All Struct
Description
Stands composed of pole-sized
lodgepole pine (5-9" DBH), with
minor amounts of other species,
typically suppressed in the
understory. Lodgepole pines are
still small enough to be less
susceptible to bark beetles.
Succession to D after about 50
years.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLA2
PIEN
PSME
ABGR
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Upper
Lower
Lower
Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Cover
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Tree 5.1m
Height
Tree Size Class Medium 5-15"DBH
Tree 25m
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
10
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PICO
LIBO3
VAME
VASC
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Tree 5.1m
Height
Tree Size Class Pole 5-9" DBH
Max
100 %
Tree 25m
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
8
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+
year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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Page 139 of 202
Class D
20 %
Late Development 1 All Struc
Description
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PICO
LIBO3
VAME
VASC
Upper
Lower
Lower
Lower
Stands composed of medium-sized
lodgepole pines (9-20"DBH), with
subalpine fir and Englemann
Upper Layer Lifeform
spruce typically present in the
Herbaceous
understory. The pines are highly
Shrub
susceptible to outbreaks of
Tree
mountain pine beetles, which
Fuel Model 10
move a stand back to class C. In
the absence of fire and with the
releasing effect of pine beetles
thinning the lodgepole overstory,
these stands will succeed to class B.
Class E
10 %
Late Development 2 All Struc
Description
Large subalpine fir and
Englemann spruce (>15"DBH),
with minor amounts of other
conifers. These stands are
susceptible to spruce beetle, which
cause transition to class B, and
susceptible to roots diseases
(Phellinus, Armillaria), causing
transitions to class C. These
stands are also susceptible to
windthrow. Fires are somewhat
less frequent than in lodgepole­
dominated stands (classes C and
D) because of higher ground fuel
moisture contents.
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
ABLA
PIEN
CLUN2
VAME
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Tree 10.1m
Height
Tree Size Class Medium 9-21"DBH
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Height
Tree Size Class
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Fuel Model
Tree 25m
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Cover
Upper Layer Lifeform
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Max
100 %
Min
0%
Tree 10.1m
Very Large >33"DBH
Tree 50m
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
10
Disturbances
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+
year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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Page 140 of 202
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
Mixed
Min FI
Max FI
Probability
120
475
0.00833
0.00211
96
0.01045
Percent of All Fires
80
20
Surface
Avg 1000
Min 100
Max 10000
All Fires
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of fire
combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the inverse
of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling. Percent of all
fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References
Agee, James K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest forests. Washington, DC: Island Press. 493 p.
Johnson, C.G. Jr. 2004. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the Wallowa, Seven Devils and Blue
Mountains. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-03-04. Portland, Oregon, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region,
612 pp.
Heyerdahl, Emily K. and James K. Agee. 1996. Historical fire regimes of four sites in the Blue Mountains,
Oregon and Washington. Final Report, University of Washington, Seattle. 173 p.
Johnson, C.G. and Clausnitzer, R.R. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains. P6­
ERW-TP-036-92. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 164 pp + appendices.
Johnson, C.G. and Simon, S.A. 1986. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake province. R6-ECOL-TP­
255b-86. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Reigion. 272 pp + appendices.
Simpson, M.L. 1990. Subalpine fir- Beargrass Habitat Type: Succession and Management.
MS Thesis University of Idaho. 96 pp.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+
year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model Biophysical Setting: 0911670
Rocky Mountain Poor Site Lodgepole Pine
Forest
This BPS is lumped with:
This BPS is split into multiple models:
General Information
Contributors (also see the Comments field)
Date
4/15/2006
Modeler 1 Gregg Riegel
Modeler 2 Amy Waltz
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reviewer Jim Merzenich
Reviewer Jimmy Kagan
Modeler 3 Louisa Evers
[email protected] Reviewer Norm Michaels
ov
[email protected]
jimmy.kagan@oregon
state.edu
[email protected]
FRCC
Vegetation Type
Forest and Woodland
Dominant Species*
PICO
PUTR
FEID
ARUV
General Model Sources
ACOC
CARO
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Map Zones
7
9
1
Model Zones
Alaska
California
Great Basin
Great Lakes
Northeast
Northern Plains
N-Cent.Rockies
Pacific Northwest
South Central
Southeast
S. Appalachians
Southwest
Geographic Range
Lodgepole pine forest on deep Mazama ash and pumice east of the Cascades in Oregon. This area is
dominated by self-replacing stands of non-serotinous lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murryana) making
it a distinctive from lodgepole pine stands ocurring elsewhere.
Biophysical Site Description
This forest type is generally on two settings: 1) low thermal capacity soils derived primarily from pumice
and 2) topographic depressions and river valleys with high water tables. Both settings generally occur
between 1200 to 1600 m elevation. This forest type is generally restricted to the "pumic plateau" region
characterized by internally drained topographic depressions, gentle slopes and isolated cinder cones. Soils
are poorly structured Andisols (A/C horizon) with low bulk density and subject to wide diurnal temperature
changes.
Vegetation Description
Generally single-layed forest canopy dominated by lodgepole pine. Multi-canopy stand types can occur
locally where moderate to light fires, windthrow or other canopy disturbance create open conditions.
Ponderosa pine, white fir, western white pine, and aspen can be associated with these forests under specific
habitat conditions related to soil moisture. Franklin and Dyrness (1988) recognize 8 plant communities
where lodgepole pine is the dominant tree species. Understory species characterizing these communities
follow a moisture gradient from dry (dominated by Purshia tridentada) to wet (dominated by grasses and
sedges).
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Disturbance Description
This type is driven by moderate to high severity (stand replacing) fires. Fire-scarred trees tend to be more
susceptible to beetle attack and blue stain fungi-induced mortality leading to cyclic-succession that includes
these three disturbance agents. Windthrow can also be both locally important (creating canopy gaps), and
regionally important (leading to the "unraveling" of the forest canopy). Both conditions promote the selfreplacement of lodgepole pine in this forest type. Windthrow may also contribute to local regeneration by
promoting favorable micro-climate and local soils conditions. Self-thining is an important process during
the early successional stage of this forest type.
Adjacency or Identification Concerns
The pumice lodgepole pine forests are adjacent to dry ponderosa pine (mesic), mixed ponderosa pine, and
juniper steppe.
Native Uncharacteristic Conditions
Sources of Scale Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Scale Description
The lodgepole pine pumice ecosystem is dominated by large-scale fire and insect outbreaks. Windthrow
can be an important factor modifying canopy conditions and regeneration success in the absence of fire and
variable depending on local topography. Microsite conditions are important to successful regeneration
where soil moisture is low. Topographic depressions may be important to the separation of lodgepole pine
and ponderosa pine near the transition of these forest types as a result of cold air drainage favoring
lodgepole pine.
Issues/Problems
Fire history is poorly described in the literature but can be more accurately determined by age structure than
most forest types.
Jim Merzenich brought up the discussion on the historic vs. present extent of Ponderosa grasslands. This
discussion includes other Rapid Assessment pine models (R#PIPOm, R#PIPOxe). He suggests that one of
these models should include large extent of Ponderosa grassland. It was suggested that the current area in
this type may be a significant extension of the historic extent due to fire suppression and grazing (Munger,
1914) - that, according to GLO records, much of this area was more of a ponderosa savanah.
Comments
Much of the descriptions in this BpS model for zones 7, 9 and 1 originated from the Rapid Assessment
R#PICOpu PNVG. However, the current model has been severely modified by the current authors and with
input from experts in the Chemult RD and on the Winema NF. Originally, the modelers built a 5-box model,
but later agreed to simplify to a 3-box due to detection limitations.
Vegetation Classes *Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Class A
25 %
Early1 All Structures
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PICO
Upper
Description
Dense post-fire stands (may exceed 10,000 stems/ha). Tree size is small (< 10 cm dbh) and ages vary Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
from (< 20 to > 40 years)
Shrub
depending on environmental
conditions. Regeneration and
Tree understory plants are rare. Self- Fuel Model
thinning is the predominant process leading to changes in stand structure and leads to high levels of
fine to 10 hour fuels. However,
these stands rarely burn and can act as fire barriers. Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Min
0%
Max
80 %
Height
Tree 0m
Tree 10m
Tree Size Class
Sapling >4.5ft; <5"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are: Succession to class B after 20 years. Replacement fire resets to time zero (MFRI 100 years). A small percentage of this BpS is so dry that it only ever develops open canopy class C (probability 0.08). Class B
55 %
Late Development 1 Closed
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
PICO
Upper
Description
Lodgepole (>10 cm - < 50 cm dbh)
generally less than 40 years, but
older stands can be greater than
100yrs. before bark beetles attack
older trees and open up the stand.
These trees may be 25-30ft tall, but
taller in protected microhabitats.
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Cover
Height
Min
41 %
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Max
85 %
Tree 25m
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Succession to class C after 40
years. Replacement fire MFRI 33
years. Insect/disease (annual
probability = 0.01; 100yr return)
opens up to Class C.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Class C
20 %
Late Development 1 Open
Description
These stands show open canopy
conditions of mature lodgepole
resulting from insect-induced tree
mortality and/or windthrow or low
regeneration. They can be 40 to 80
years, and some stands hold
together up to 150 years or more.
These are often part of a cyclic
pattern of succession involving
post-fire stands experiencing a
second burn followed by insect
outbreaks and windthrow. These
trees may be 30-40ft tall.
Indicator Species* and Canopy Position PICO Upper
LUPIN Lower
RICE Lower
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
0%
Cover
Height
Max
40 %
Tree 10.1m
Tree Size Class
Tree 25m
Medium 9-21"DBH
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Replacement fire MFRI 30 years.
Insect/disease (annual probability =
0.02; 50yr return) resets to Class A.
Class D
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Max
Min
Late1 Open
Cover
Description
%
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
Class E
0%
Indicator Species* and
Canopy Position
Late1 Closed
Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform)
Min
Cover
Description
%
Max
%
Height
Tree Size Class
Upper Layer Lifeform
Herbaceous
Shrub
Tree
None
Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform.
Height and cover of dominant lifeform are:
Fuel Model
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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Disturbances
Fire Regime Group**:
Fire Intervals
4
Avg FI
Replacement
Historical Fire Size (acres)
40
Min FI
20
Max FI
200
Probability
Percent of All Fires
0.025
100
Mixed
Surface
Avg
Min
Max 1000
All Fires
40
0.02502
Fire Intervals (FI):
Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of
fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and
maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the
inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling.
Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class.
Sources of Fire Regime Data
Literature
Local Data
Expert Estimate
Additional Disturbances Modeled
Insects/Disease
Wind/Weather/Stress
Native Grazing
Competition
Other (optional 1)
Other (optional 2)
References Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire Ecology of Pacfic Northwest Forests. Island Press, Washington, D.C.
Franklin, J.F. and Dyrness, C.T. 1988. Natural Vegetation of Oregon and Washington. Second Edition.
Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. Geiszler, D.R., Gara, R.I., Driver, C.H., Gallucci, B.F., and Martin, R.E. 1980. Fire, fungi, and beetle
influences on a lodgepole pine ecosystem in south-Central Oegon. Oecologia 46:239-243. Munger, Thornton T. 1914. Replacement of yellow pine by lodgepole pine on the pumice soils of central Oregon. Proceedings of the Society of American Foresters. 9(3): 396-406. Stuart, J.D., Agee, J.K., and Gara, R.I. 1989. Lodgepole pine regeneration in an old, self-perpetuating forest
in south-central Oregon. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 19:1096-1104. Volland, L. A. 1985. Plant communities of the central Oregon Pumice Zone. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U. S. Forest Service, R6-ECOL-104-1985. Portland, OR. Pacific Northwest Region, 138 p.
*Dominant Species are from the NRCS PLANTS database. To check a species code, please visit http://plants.usda.gov. **Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35­
100+ year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Monday, March 19, 2007
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