Loamy Calcareous 10-14 Inch Precipitation Zone Lost River Mountains

Description

The Reference state consists of two dominant plant communities: The Little Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass community and the Mixed Sagebrush/Bunchgrass community. The greatest difference between the two plant communities is the composition and foliar cover of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) species. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) transitions to mountain big sagebrush at the higher end of the effective precipitation range (10 to 14 inches).

Little sagebrush and black sagebrush (Artemisia nova) transition to big sagebrush species when the calcium carbonate concentration in the soil is focused lower in the soil profile or less calcareous, closer to the minimum 15 percent required in the site concept.

Processes (both natural and anthropogenic) that can result in state and community changes include fire, grazing, land use change, and establishment of invasive species (Davies et al., 2011).

Characteristics and indicators

The shift between plant communities at this site is generally driven by calcium carbonate concentration in soils, effective precipitation, and sagebrush-killing disturbances or lack thereof. Historically, low to mixed-severity fires occurred at relatively frequent fire return intervals of 10 to 25 years, limiting sagebrush canopy density and creating a mosaic of sagebrush stands and more open grasslands (Knick, Holmes, & Miller, 2005). Exclusion of fire (in conjunction with climate change) increases sagebrush canopy cover and can lead to more severe stand-replacing fires, oftentimes at more frequent intervals. These severe fires can drive shifts to grassland communities as well as create opportunities for invasive species establishment (Roadhouse, Irvine, & Bowerstock, 2020; Knick et al., 2005).

Improper grazing practices can also lead to an increase in sagebrush canopy cover and an increased risk of severe, stand-replacing fire occurrence. Removal of understory grasses can lessen the opportunities for low severity fire occurrence which leads to increased canopy densities and increases potential for severe fire disturbance events (Knick et al., 2005).

Resilience management

This site has moderate resilience as a result of the cryic soil temperature regime and the xeric soil moisture regime. Resistance and resilience of a specific site have been attributed to abiotic conditions favorable to plant growth and reproduction (Maestas et al. 2016). Soils that fall within the cryic (cold) temperature regime and xeric (wet) moisture regime tend to have higher diversity and production and are therefore more resilient, specifically in terms of resisting or recovering from invasion post-disturbance (Maestas et al., 2016).

Although both black sagebrush and little sagebrush species are susceptible to fire damage and usually killed by fire events, fire events within these communities are usually rare. These communities generally lack the fine fuels required to carry fire, promoting relatively infrequent fire return intervals (Steinberg, 2002). Mountain big sagebrush is also highly susceptible to damage and mortality from fire events. These communities also tend to have higher fuel loading and carry fire more easily and frequently than the black and little sagebrush communities (Innes, 2017).

Submodel

Description

The Disturbed state is a result of both natural and anthropogenic disturbance events that result in widespread sagebrush mortality at a given site. The primary natural disturbance resulting in sagebrush mortality at this ecological site is wildfire; however, intense freeze events, insect damage, and disease can also occur. Big sagebrush species and, to a lesser extent, little sagebrush species are highly susceptible to stand-replacing fires and often experience complete canopy loss during moderate and severe wildfire events (Innes, 2017; Tirmenstein, 1999).

Because this LRU exists primarily on publicly managed lands (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and State of Idaho), widespread anthropogenic disturbance events are infrequent. Examples of anthropogenic disturbance events include brush management through sagebrush mowing or removal treatments, chemical treatments, or improper grazing techniques that result in high-intensity hoof disturbance.

A combination of natural and anthropogenic disturbance is possible and can result in increased severity of disturbance, decreased resilience, and greater difficulty returning to the Reference state. For example, improper grazing practices post-fire disturbance can increase bare ground cover, increase erosion potential, and slow the reestablishment of grass species that preclude the return of overstory sagebrush canopy (Zlatnik, 1999).

Characteristics and indicators

The primary indicator of the Disturbed state is a near-complete loss of overstory sagebrush species, often replaced by shrub species that are able to take advantage of the local disturbance regime. Common replacement species include Artemisia tripartita (threetip sagebrush) and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (yellow rabbitbrush). A shift towards an increase in native and disturbance-tolerant grasses and forbs is likely with the removal of resource competition associated with the sagebrush overstory presence. Severe disturbance events also increase the opportunity for invasion of annual grasses and weeds such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and thistle species. The canopy cover percentage of these species is usually dependent on the distance of a seed source post-disturbance but mostly stays under five percent (Zlatnik, 1999).

Resilience management

Resilience in this state is moderate. Many of the post-disturbance grasses and shrubs that are common in this state establish quickly and reach a representative canopy within 10 years post-disturbance. Grasses and shrubs continue to increase until the overstory canopy of sagebrush begins to return. However, local resilience in this state is highly dependent on current soil moisture availability, seed sources, timing and severity of the disturbance. In the instance of fire disturbance, bluebunch wheatgrass mortality can be significantly lower if the fire occurs in the spring as opposed to fall. Recovery can be impacted by the quantity of immediate post-fire precipitation (Zlatnik, 1999).

More severe disturbances increase the possibility of post-disturbance invasion. The greater the establishment of invasives, the lower the site resilience becomes

Submodel

Description

The Invaded state is represented by a shift from native grasses and forbs in the understory to an understory dominated by invasive species. Transition to this state occurs after a severe disturbance that creates openings in the canopy for invasive species to establish. The primary invasive species that becomes dominant in the Invaded state is cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). This state is especially prevalent on steep, rocky slopes where colluvial movement is active. As the soil is disturbed through the movement of material downhill, ideal conditions are presented for cheatgrass recruitment. Once established and a seed source is readily available, cheatgrass is well adapted to increasing its coverage area.

Characteristics and indicators

This state is indicated by any single invasive species occupying five percent or more of the canopy, or a group of invasive species occupying 10 percent of the canopy collectively.

Resilience management

This state exhibits low resilience due to the establishment of invasive and non-native species. Once established, non-native vegetation tends to increase in canopy cover and can often be promoted by further disturbances.

Submodel