Pumice Plateau, Volcanic Uplands (Ponderosa Pine / Antelope bitterbrush) 18-25 PZ

Description

A forested community, this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and plant community. Pathways between these phases are defined by historic fire regimes and insect outbreaks. Many of these cold pine forests would have cycled from a shrub-bunchgrass young tree stand initiation phase (1.1) to a young forest stage (1.2) to a mature forest phase (1.3) with a disturbance regime characterized by frequent surface and mixed fires and insect outbreaks. Fire exclusion can lead to closed canopy and dense understory stocking conditions represented by Community 1.4 which can be more vulnerable to stand replacing fires and insect outbreaks. The Reference Community within this state is that of an open, mature, savanna like ponderosa stand represented by Community Phase 1.3. Historical evidence suggests that this community type was common across the landscape prior to selective logging and widespread fire suppression, which can alter fire regimes and lead to a greater frequency of high severity fire. Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “Current Potential State”. In this document, the term “Reference State” is used synonymously with “Current Potential State” for the sake of simplicity.

Submodel

Description

In this state the stand is used primarily for timber harvesting. This may result in a number of manipulated community types and pathways depending on strategies surrounding harvest, weed control and replanting. Broadcast burning of bitterbrush may help increase ponderosa pine reestablishment. Clear cuts may favor lodgepole pine dominance, given an altered disturbance regime, if fire, selective thinning, and ponderosa replanting does not follow. Selective harvesting of large ponderosa pine may also favor lodgepole pine dominance overtime.