Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge,
policies, or practices.
4
et ;
serve
n9.7 * USDA FOREST SERVICE RESEARCH PAPER PNW-125_,,
7 r5Un, A OR ST /
te bitat Characteristics of the
silver Lake Mule Deer Range
J. Edward Dealy
i %. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station.
Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture
Portland, Oregon 1971
351371
ABSTRACT
Twenty-one ecosystems of the Silver Lake mule deer range in northern”
Lake County, Oregon, are described by site, vegetation, and soil. Discu |
sions are included on ecosystem interrelationships, habitat value for gar
and habitat manipulation. A field key to ecosystems has been develops
using vegetation characteristics easily identifiable on the ground. a
Keywords: Ecosystem, habitat, mule deer, vegetation, soils, site class.
Habitat Characteristics
of the Silver Lake
Mule Deer Range
J. Edward Dealy
Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station
Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture
Portland, Oregon 1971
Contents
Page
BAO CIMGULOMMMR eR TIT at Ke eae wk ieee heh Geeta see ce Wel neue, oo 1
Ecological Studies Related to Central Oregon Vegetation ...... 2
agi IDOSGrETOUTO IAN > age aoe ce a ee a Sete eco tty, tend Be Lone eon 3
BESO CSM SER Ee eee ce tas che Miksa rene pais elvs ed IS ah aeay eee ais US D
PET arORelamiMCOniiUnities) Seri. le es A EN Eo Llane en a
ESN ISD CIV SME ura c ok sy 5.0 aay acini nA: teamreth iets “oa hogy tichany) Gabi ndaeege, ete 10
1. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis
COS SUSIIN, elagtigitn ts. cal ee ss rasuaeren wi ne Mer Mall Ns Aa be ere 38088 6.0 10
2. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis
Heosystems Hestuca idahoensis Phase... 2.2 2. he ae Sl 15
38. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis
BICOSVSUCTIN COLCIOSSUIME IASC y yee ca Het SU alee, Nera Aas sce te US)
4. Pinus ponderosa/Arctostaphylos patula/Festuca
TACMOCIESISHECOSVSLOM eat tise Meise scl mace yay iis celine Gaba tioe nba) --afltes os 23
5. Pinus ponderosa-Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca
TOQIVOCTISI SBE C OSVISLEMING | Se Nrcnee caked See ao ets oe i ot Metra ee 28
6. Pinus ponderosa/Artemisia tridentata/Bromus carinatus
IC OSS SLC Ma RRA ey Male eer LE ruse ON Gi UE int ee ul tue Rua 30
7. Pinus ponderosa-Abies concolor/Festuca idahoensis
BIG OS\ SCHEME NE er ae Uae aa te Nie er och a ee eC ate lh 35
8. Pinus contorta/Festuca idahoensis Ecosystem ........... 40
9. Pinus contorta/Danthonia californica Ecosystem ......... 45
10. Populus tremuloides/Artemisia tridentata/Bromus
TUT TOCLOS SONS LAU Wg POS ay Ged tao a ee ee Ne a eee nee 48
Sumeopuius tremuloides'Colonies .....:..........2... Ne
12. Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis-Agropyron
SONG, INCOR, Bacay te tee ge uy a 5D
13. Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis Ecosystem ....... 60.
14. Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis Ecosystem. ......... 64 |
15. Purshia tridentata-Artemisia arbuscula/Stipa thurberiana |
ECOSYStemn se ge ae ee Ba Be eee 67
16. Artemisia tridentata-Purshia tridentata/Festuca |
idahoensis, Ecosystem) | 2.(2))siis Go) ia a ae eal eae ee Coa 69 |
17. Artemisia tridentata/Stipa occidentalis-Lathyrus Ecosystem ... 74!
18. Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis Ecosystem ........ 80 |
19. Artemisia arbuscula/Danthonia unispicata Ecosystem ....... 85
20. Artemisia arbuscula/Koeleria cristata Ecosystem ......... 89 |
21. Artemisia cana/Muhlenbergia richardsonis Ecosystem ....... 93 |
Literature’Cited (so) 5.3 alii, ace aie ee Sie ete en Lene ee 94
70) 0216161}. en Mn rene nA BEBO G8 NG GS atk Go bw 96 |
)
Introduction
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus)' (Ingles 1965) in central
‘Oregon are a migratory group of animals. They roam a vast mountainous
summer range and crowd into a relatively small winter range when adverse
‘climatic conditions dictate. Most of the deer ranges in central Oregon are
' cerning the animals and their environment.
This paper presents an analysis of 21 habitats present on the Silver
‘analysis of site, vegetation, and soils on both the summer and transition
(summer-winter range boundary) ranges and discussion of vegetation types
\for suitability as mule deer habitat. This descriptive work is one of the
first steps in developing realistic management plans for maximum sus-
‘tained and compatible mule deer-livestock production.
Information presented here is directly applicable to the Silver Lake
‘deer herd range. Data can be used as guides for management of deer herd
)ranges in central and south central Oregon and elsewhere in the western
United States under similar conditions.
Experience and personal judgment are critical ingredients which must
|be combined with the information presented here for each ecosystem.
Remember, most of this area is deer summer range which, taken as a
whole, is not generally a problem area for forage, though through careless
disregard it could become such.
In general, suggested values and recommendations for game habitat
| development should be given secondary priority on high producing timber
‘sites. However, I would expect timber specialists to be sensitive to com-
patible game habitat improvement suggestions. On low or marginal sites
for tree growth, timber production may become secondary in manage-
‘ment priorities.
| Setting aside large summer range “‘scab flats’’ of low sagebrush for deer
jand antelope use may help make the difference between does being in
‘good enough condition to carry twin fetuses through a bad winter to birth
sand beyond or being in poor condition and losing one or both young
‘(Fichter 1962, Julander et al. 1961). Setting aside scattered small
Scien tific and common names of animals and plants are listed in the appendix.
meadow, spring, or aspen areas for game use may also help strengthen the
general health of game populations as they prepare themselves for winter. |
These suggestions are only examples of many such considerations |
which must be studied in relation to livestock needs and other priorities in |
order to maintain balance in a total management plan.
Ecological Studies Related to /
Central Oregon Vegetation |
Daubenmire (1952) has done considerable work on forest vegetation in
eastern Washington and northern Idaho. He developed a classification in|
which he included the following zones as those of primary importance:
(1) Pinus ponderosa, (2) Pseudotsuga menziesii, (3) Thuja plicata/Tsuga ||
heterophylla, and (4) Picea engelmannii/Abies lasiocarpa. Available soil}
moisture increased from (1) through (4). It was pointed out that Populus |, ,
tremuloides came into Pinus ponderosa stands as a seral species where high |
water tables occurred.
McMinn (1952), studying soil moisture in the northern Rocky Moun-|
tains, concluded that soil moisture is the most important factor influ-|
encing distribution of vegetation types.
Rummell (1951) compared two areas of Pinus ponderosa in central
Washington. They were similar; but one had been grazed, and the other
was protected by natural barriers. Density of herbaceous species in the}
ungrazed area was over twice that of species on the grazed site. However,
pine saplings averaged 85 per acre under 4 inches d.b.h. on the ungrazed
area and 3,291 per acre on the grazed site.
Dyrness (1960) studied vegetation and soil-site relationships near Silver
Lake in a region of pumice soils. Six plant communities and their sites
were sampled intensively in an area where basic information was lacking | |=
and where management felt a real need for understanding the productive |}
capacity and management limitations of the resource. Of the six com-
munities, five were dominated by Pinus ponderosa and one by Abies con- |
color. The dominant shrub species varied from Purshia tridentata under
Pinus ponderosa in the driest of the communities to Ceanothus velutinus
under Abies concolor which characterized the most moist site.
Dyrness effectively correlated serious bark beetle infestations and
mistletoe occurrence with specific plant communities. He found that the |
Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis association on.
Shanahan soil was accompanied by a high bark beetle hazard and Pinus |
ponderosa/Ceanothus velutinus community on the Lapine pumice soil was },
closely correlated with large-scale mistletoe infestations. |
In describing and interpreting a seral stage of the Abies concolor/ |
Ceanothus velutinus association, Pinus ponderosa/Ceanothus velutinus,
Dyrness suggests that because the pine reaches a particularly high produc-
tivity on this site, cutting practices might well favor its maintenance for
several rotations. |
oo
‘| ;
BZ ec
| & x Mf SILVER Lake
4 eas ii) {| RANGER STATION
ac 4,347' SILVER
SS e LAKE
| WINTER (ORY BED)
i RANGE /
q
] BENCH MARK (2
“4 %
Ry bd
‘i 2
*\ Noes
=ARS
HAGER LLL ZEA
MOUNTAINS LEE
DEAD INDIAN
>
| USS: AZ, > ~ MOUNTAINS
‘ i ;
wo >> >. 7,060
{ es “S
SUMMER \D
|
RANGE NaS
' SY
S We
a CREEK YY
Sek j mae A roster \ eq
© BOMESON funtdo BUTTE a uy
RESERVOIR Sees oO
5,000' x AS iS
I, NF va
SA
Seid $9 Ww
4 “@
YAMSAY ~ REE Des
; MOUNTAINS Topas
8,242’ ‘ De
§ SYCAN EE
| BUTTE cM
{ 6,362 d
| \
‘| LEGEND a
5 Ww
] E
| FOREST BOUNDARY ~
| @
2
ESCARPMENT
SPRING — FALL RANGE
|
|
Map of the Silver Lake area of Oregon showing main topographic features and the
| division of summer, winter, and spring-fall ranges for mule deer.
Area Description
|
| The Silver Lake deer herd range is located in northern Lake County,
)/Oregon, and lies between Ranges 11 and 16 East, and Townships 27 and
133 South. It includes several hundred thousand acres, of which approxi-
mately one-fourth is winter range and the remainder summer range. The
‘summer-winter range boundary (transition range) fluctuates yearly ac-
} cording to the depth and duration of winter snowpacks.
_ A major portion of the summer ranges lies within the timbered area of
} northern Lake County. From east to west it sweeps gently down the back
. : ; .
Silver Lake deer range, looking south. Mountains in the background illustrate the |
summer range and its topography.
of 7,000-foot Winter Ridge, an upthrust escarpment 20 miles long, to a
low of 4,700 feet and then gradually climbs to 8,242-foot Yamsay Moun-_
tain 30 miles away. From north to south it follows the Winter Ridge-
Yamsay Mountain trough from the timber’s edge near Silver Lake south -
for approximately 15 miles, rising from 4,700 feet to 5,500 feet. Hager |
Mountain, a cone, rises to 7,000 feet out of the trough center near the
north edge of the range.
Numerous seasonally ponded meadows, seasonal streams, and year-
round springs are scattered throughout the area. Several year-round
streams are present. Water is adequate (although probably not optimal) —
for big game needs throughout the summer range. |
The general vegetation complex includes the forest types of Pinus
ponderosa, P. contorta, P. ponderosa-Abies concolor, A. concolor,
Populus tremuloides, and Cercocarpus ledifolius (Hitchcock et al. 1955),
wet and dry meadows, high elevation burns grown primarily to dense
Artemisia tridentata, and rocky Artemisia arbuscula flats.
A narrow transition area, where use is governed by weather, lies —
between the summer and winter range from approximately 4,700- to
5,000-foot elevation. During severe winters of deep snow, deer generally
) move below 4,700 feet using the transition area primarily during the fall
jigration and again in the spring when moving back to the summer range.
wever, during most years the animals use it most of the winter. The
vegetation complex includes the lower edge of the Pinus ponderosa com-
munities, Purshia tridentata-bunchgrass, mixed Artemisia tridentata-P.
Wtridentata, Cercocarpus ledifolius, A. arbuscula-bunchgrass, and the
otone of P. ponderosa-C. ledifolius-P. tridentata-Juniperus occidentalis-
. tridentata.
- The climate is typical of the intermountain West — — warm dry sum-
mers, crisp dry early falls, moderately severe winters with moderate snows
fenerally occurring in January and February, and moderate, late spring
Yains. Annual precipitation at Silver Lake, in the middle of the winter
) range, averages 10 inches annually. Precipitation in the summer range
aries from about 12 to 30 inches annually. Killing frosts may occur in
‘any month of the year. However, they do not normally occur during July
| or August.
| Day temperatures commonly reach 90° to 95° F. during July and
| A ugust. The mean January and July temperatures at Silver Lake are
approximately 28° and 64° F.,respectively. Maximum and minimum
temperatures have been recorded at 105° and —385° F. (U. S. Department
‘of Agriculture 1941).
| According to Knox (1968), soils in the study area include Grey-Brown
Podzolic, Prairie(Brunizems), Chernozem, Chestnut, Regosol, Alluvial, and
Humic Gley. Soils in the area are derived from residual parent material
consisting primarily of flow basalt. There are localized areas of tuffs and
| tuff breccias overlying basalts in the lower elevation transition areas. Also,
in the same lower areas there are localized occurrences of pumice deposits
| overlying basalts and tuff.
|
Methods
Vegetation was typed on the ground with the aid of aerial photographs.
| Type lines were placed as best as could be judged, in the center of
-ecotones. Then plots were located at random on photographs and finally
)/on the ground. Plots were rejected if they landed in inclusions obviously
not of the type, such as drainageways, another type, or in areas of geologi-
cal change. These variants were accepted as small enough in area and
»minor enough in ecological impact to eliminate the need for sampling.
f
|
| 5
Vegetation sampling of most ecosystems included composition of all
understory species from basal area cover, tree basal area, crown cover of
shrubs and trees, shrub and tree density, and percent ground cover of
moss, litter, rock, and bare soil. Frequency of species occurrence was
recorded at each plot — — all data being used plus a careful search of the |
macroplot and an area within 100 feet in all directions.
Vegetation was measured by a nested plot sampling system. This
system involved establishing large plots (macroplots) 100 feet long by 50
feet wide, restricted random location of four 50-foot transects within the
plot, and systematic location of ten 1- by 2-foot observation plots
(microplots) along each transect (Poulton and Tisdale 1961).
Basal cover for all species was estimated as a percent of the total 1- by
2-foot plot. This same information was used to calculate composition.
Basal area of all trees within each 50- by 100-foot plot was taken from
d.b.h. measurements. Crown cover of shrubs was estimated by using the
line intercept method (Canfield 1941), and tree crown cover was esti-
mated using the densiometer (Lemmon 1956). Crown intercept of
Cercocarpus ledifolius was taken through an adaptation of the densio-
meter (Dealy 1960).
Due to time limitations, a few plant communities were sampled by a
dominance rating rather than composition system for determining relative
importance of various species within each vegetation layer: tree, shrub,
grass, and forb. The rating consisted of five levels for each vegetation layer
(Tansley and Chipp 1926) as follows:
5. Very abundant — dominant in its own vegetation layer.
4. Abundant — codominant with at least one other species in its own
vegetation layer.
3. Frequent — common, can stand in one spot and see it wherever you
turn.
2. Occasional — must walk around to observe it. Not readily notice-
able.
1. Rare — must hunt through vegetation to find it.
Other vegetation, soil, and site data were taken as described for all
plant communities.
Soils data were taken from pits dug next to each vegetation plot.
Standard soil description procedures and nomenclature of the Soil Con-
servation Service Soil Survey Manual were followed (U. S. Department of
Agriculture 1951). Complete profile descriptions were not taken on all
communities. Some of the less important communities were sampled only
for texture of the A and B horizons, solum depth, restrictive layers, drain-
age, surface and solum stoniness, pH, parent materials, and depth of root
concentration.
The site characteristics recorded at each plot location were slope
aspect, elevation, position on slope, and macrorelief. General use intensity
by animals and geographical location were also recorded.
Key to
Plant Communities
The Silver Lake deer’s summer range ecosystems have been identified
in a field key according to vegetation characteristics easily identifiable on
the ground. The key is dichotomous in arrangement with ecosystems
being separated first on the most broad and obvious vegetative character-
istics as is necessary to separate similar ecosystems or phases within an
ecosystem.
The first and most obvious separations are tree from nontree commun-
ities and shrub from nonshrub communities. The next most obvious separ-
ations are between tree species where the ecosystems exhibit single species
overstories and between shrub species where there are single shrub com-
munities. From this point, the key continues the separations through
characteristics which are based primarily on plant species that should be
easily identified by people working in this general area. The final confir-
mation of identification should be a close agreement between the keyed-
out ecosystem label and the corresponding description.
There will be situations or sites which will not key out. These will in-
clude ecotones, localized and sharply divergent geological formations in-
cluding most streamside areas, and a few vegetation complexes of minor
extent and value. The latter could not be covered due to time and man-
power limitations, but examples are Abies concolor, Tsuga mertensiana,
and some Pinus contorta communities.
A. Communities with tree cover Page
B. Cover dominated by broadleaf trees
C. Tree cover dominated by Populus
Shrub cover present, big sagebrush common to abundant —
10. Populus tremuloides/Artemisia
tridentata/Bromus carinatus.... 48
Shrub cover sparse or absent —
11. Populus tremuloides colonies on
meadows or streambanks ...... 53
C. Tree cover dominated by Cercocarpus
Understory dominated by Festuca idahoensis —
13. Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca
UCM NOCISIS ‘Glo 8 Bb eid ae 4 6 ile Boe 60
Understory has Festuca idahoensis codominant with
Agropyron'spicatum. Soil surface rocky —
12. Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca
idahoensis-Agropyron spicatum . .55
B. Cover dominated by coniferous trees Page
D. Tree cover and reproduction of Pinus ponderosa only, or other
species scarce
E. Shrub cover dominated by Purshia tridentata
F. Purshia tridentata a sparsely scattered stand, Festuca
idahoensis the dominant understory species —
2. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia
tridentata/Festuca idahoensis:
Festuca idahoensis phase ....... 15
F. Purshia tridentata common to abundant and the
dominant understory species
Festuca idahoensis the dominant grass —
1. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia
tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ....10
Carex rossii dominant —
3. Pinus ponderosa/Purshia
tridentata/Festuca idahoensis:
Carex'rossii phase: .. . 22s. mee 19
E. Shrub cover not dominated by Purshia tridentata
Shrub cover dominated by Artemisia tridentata.
Dominant grass is Bromus carinatus —
6. Pinus ponderosa/Artemisia
tridentata/Bromus carinatus ..... 30
Shrub cover dominated by Arctostaphylos patula or
codominant with Purshia tridentata —
4. Pinus ponderosa/Arctostaphylos
patula/Festuca idahoensis ...... 23
D. Tree cover and reproduction not of “Pinus ponderosa only, or
other species scarce”’
G. Tree cover dominated by Pinus contorta
Festuca idahoensis common to abundant —
8. Pinus contorta/Festuca
idahoensis’ 3)... Saki ae eee 40
Festuca idahoensis absent to rare —
9. Pinus contorta/Danthonia
CALIFOTNICE ke oe oe 45
G. Tree cover mixed species
Pinus ponderosa and Abies concolor mixed overstory,
sometimes A. concolor mostly as abundant to dominant
reproduction under P. ponderosa —
7. Pinus ponderosa-A bies concolor/
Festuca idahoensis ~ .*. 3. caer 35
Pinus ponderosa and Cercocarpus ledifolius mixed —
5. Pinus ponderosa-Cercocarpus
ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis .... 28
4
| A, Communities without tree cover or trees rare Page
H. Shrub cover dominated by Purshia tridentata —
Artemisia arbuscula common —
15. Purshia tridentata-Artemisia
arbuscula/Stipa thurberiana
Artemisia arbuscula not common —
14. Purshia tridentata/Festuca
IAGRHOCTISISN RUT A et eaves 64
H. Shrub cover dominated by Artemisia species
| I. Dominant shrub is Artemisia tridentata
| Lathyrus (wild pea) present,
Purshia tridentata absent. Elevation about 7,000 feet —
17. Artemisia tridentata/Stipa
occidentalis-Lathyrus .......... 74
Lathyrus absent,
Purshia tridentata present —
16. Artemisia tridentata-Purshia
tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ....69
I. Dominant shrub not Artemisia tridentata
| J. Dominant shrub is Artemisia arbuscula
K. Festuca idahoensis common to abundant —
18. Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca
IAGHOCHISISM naa eR aay cles 80
| K. Festuca idahoensis absent or rare
| Danthonia unispicata common —
19. Artemisia arbuscula/Danthonia
WATS DUCCLGMAN ATA te ahs 85
Danthonia unispicata rare —
20. Artemisia arbuscula/Koeleria
CRISECI OA A UN ect eee de 89
J. Shrub cover dominated by Artemisia cana —
21. Artemisia cana/Muhlenbergia
TECRONGSORISHINe at) ene ie 93
Ecosystems
Pinus ponderosa /
Purshia tridentata /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This is the largest single ecosystem on the summer range. It is
characterized by gentle to rolling topography at elevations from 4,700 to
6,500 feet. Slopes range from 0 to 10 percent, and all aspects are repre-
sented.
Vegetation. — It is characterized by an overstory of Pinus ponderosa
with reproduction occurring in patches. Basal area averages 166 square
feet per acre, including reproduction above 5.5 feet, and average density
of stems under 10-inch d.b.h. is 2,932 per acre.
The shrub layer is dominated by Purshia tridentata with 16-percent
composition and 100-percent frequency of occurrence. Chrysothamnus
viscidiflorus, Haplopappus bloomeri, and Mahonia repens also occur
commonly.
Grasses are dominated by Festuca idahoensis, with Carex rossii and
Stipa occidentalis major components of this layer. These species and
Sitanion hystrix occurred on every macroplot. The only forbs occurring
with 100-percent frequency were Achillea millefolium, Fragaria virginiana,
and Microsteris gracilis. In the table are average vegetative characteristics
for all species. Abies concolor moves in at high elevations and on north-
facing slopes. Pinus contorta becomes established because of disturbance
or other localized site influences, Populus tremuloides and meadows
appear in moist sites, and Artemisia arbuscula appears on rocky, shallow-
soil openings. Inclusions of Cercocarpus ledifolius and Juniperus
occidentalis occur on shallow vocky soils and at the dry edge of the type.
Soil. — The soil occurring in this ecosystem has been tentatively classi-
fied as a Tournquist loam.’ It commonly contains basalt stones and
boulders throughout the soium, which averages 30 inches in depth with A
2C. T. Youngberg, unpublished field notes. Soils Dep., Oreg. State Univ., Corvallis.
10
and B horizons averaging 10 and 20 inches, respectively. Drainage is good
and roots are abundant to 12 inches and common to 20 inches.
Soil texture varies from loam in the Al to light clay loam in the A8 and
from loam to clay in the B horizon. The pH in the Al and A38 horizons
averages 5.9 and 6.1, respectively.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — Evidence indicates that this ecosystem is in a high good
to excellent condition and can be considered relatively stable. Pinus
ponderosa, the only major overstory species, occurs in all age classes, and
there is no indication of other species moving into the stand.
The composition levels at which Purshia tridentata and Festuca idaho-
ensis occur have very likely been influenced by deer and livestock use,
both cattle and sheep. Festuca idahoensis in this ecosystem is the least
preferred of the forage species we normally consider important. Con-
versely, P. tridentata is probably the species most preferred by deer,
sheep, and cattle. It is suspected that percent‘composition of P. tridentata
is low due to the long history of heavy use in combination with soil mois-
ture stresses in a site apparently fully occupied.
In this ecosystem, the ability of Purshia tridentata to recover after dis-
turbance is open to question. Since P. tridentata is relatively fire intoler-
ant, it is possible that before the advent of effective fire control, the un-
derstory physiognomy was Festuca idahoensis (such as in the fescue phase
of this ecosystem). This might have been considered a “‘fire climax”’ or
something similar in the past but might now more reasonably be thought
of as a successional stage which, without further disturbance, can be ex-
pected to progress toward the ‘‘P. tridentata-F. idahoensis’’ physiognomy.
The premise that fire control allowed P. tridentata to increase in this eco-
system, in the face of an F. idahoensis dominated understory, must nec-
essarily include the idea that P. tridentata can compete successfully with
F. idahoensis. If the premise is true one can conclude, perhaps with some
danger, that natural P. tridentata reestablishment after logging is to be ex-
pected. Even though this conclusion is probably valid, the long period of
time evolved in the reestablishment would be unacceptable to land and
game managers. This process will most likely involve an increase of
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus and Haplopappus bloomeri before P. triden-
tata can reestablish itself.
Habitat value. — Food and cover value is considered high. The Pinus
ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis association is the single
most important plant community for deer on the summer range. In addi-
tion to being the largest and one of the most widespread communities, it
is also a high forage producer. Forbs and grasses provide a moderate vari-
ety of early season food, and P. tridentata provides the bulk of summer
and fall forage. P. ponderosa reproduction of 2,932 stems per acre com-
monly occurs in a clumped pattern and provides good hiding cover and
fair protection from heat and insects.
iE
EES SS
Average site-vegetation characteristics of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia
tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 8 Condition class: high good to excellent
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 1 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 3 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 94 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 0.5 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 1.5 percent surface area -- 100
Purshia tridentata, 7 percent crown cover 16 100
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus efi 63
Mahonia repens A FAS
Haplopappus bloomeri ail Zs
Ceanothus prostratus T a BFS
Festuca idahoensis 49 100
Carex rossii 13 100
Stipa occidentalis D 100
Sitanion hystrix 4 100
Poa nervosa 4 100
Poa sandbergii i As
Koeleria cristata uh 13
Achillea millefolium 2 100
Fragaria virginiana i 100
Microsteris gracilis i 100
Hieracium cynoglossoides 7 15
Lupinus caudatus 6 we
Lomatium triternatum oO 50
Antennaria geyeri oO 37
Balsamorhiza sagittata A 63
Viola purpurea sa of
Paeonia brownii a 25
Arnica cordifolia <i ag
Senecio integerrimus dt 13
12
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 8 Condition class: high good to excellent
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Castilleja sp. fe als}
Sidalcea oregana Ae 13
Collinsia parviflora? 2 25
Cryptantha ambigua’ 12, i,3
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in . Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
per acre <10 inches d.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus ponderosa 166 ZG 100 60
Cercocarpus ledifolius in 9 10) AQ
Juniperus occidentalis T 3 50 af
2 Annuals.
Habitat manipulation. — Overstory removal on a selective basis with
minimal disturbance of Purshia tridentata would not materially reduce the
protection values and would probably increase forage values only in the
form of early season grasses and forbs. P. tridentata would be expected to
show a short- rather than long-term increase in production. This is based
on two reasons. First, game and livestock demands on this shrub come
during the growing season, demands which take part of the reserve
strength which might otherwise be used for crown expansion. Second, the
remaining overstory and pine reproduction will expand to reoccupy the
site and reestablish the light and soil moisture competition present before
logging. Any management practice or treatment which will favor use of
Festuca idahoensis is desirable in this association, and any rehabilitation
after fire or logging should favor P. tridentata unless a way is found to use
F. idahoensis properly.
As was mentioned under ecosystem discussion, natural reestablishment
of Purshia tridentata after logging is expected to be slow and therefore
unacceptable on areas important for deer or livestock. After severe under-
story disturbances, rehabilitation of P. tridentata will require some type of
site preparation.
13
bee $= D im Fle 6 8S cos MO ae
A general view of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem.
Note the scattered clumping of P. ponderosa reproduction.
A closeup view of the P. ponderosa/P. tridentata/F. idahoensis ecosystem.
nD gi i Ma
s, te
% aA
Pinus ponderosa /
Purshia tridentata /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem:
Festuca idahoensis
Phase
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem has the same gross site characteristics as the
Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem which
we will name the parent ecosystem.
Vegetation. — The vegetation is similar to that in the parent ecosystem,
differing primarily in amounts of Purshia tridentata and Festuca idaho-
ensis. The understory aspect is grass rather than shrub. Pinus ponderosa
has a crown cover of 53 percent, compared with 60 percent in the parent.
This species has 100-percent frequency of occurrence. P. tridentata has a
composition of 0.9 percent and a frequency of 100 percent. The only
other shrub occurring on sample plots was Haplopappus bloomeri. F.
idahoensis is the dominant grass, having 62-percent composition and
100-percent frequency. Carex rossii, Stipa occidentalis, Sitanion hystrix,
Poa nervosa, and Bromus carinatus are all common components of the un-
derstory.
There are four forbs which occur with 100-percent frequency, Lupinus
caudatus, Microsteris gracilis, Fragaria virginiana, and Hieracium cyno-
glossoides.
Soil. — This is a well-drained, moderately deep loam. It varies from a
loam in the A horizon to clay loam in the B2. The A horizon averages 10
inches deep and the B averages 24 inches. The B2Dy horizon is a clay
mixed with weathered basalt fragments. The zone of root concentration is
0 to 19 inches. Large basalt boulders may be present in the solum and
may be visible on the surface.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — There is no readily apparent answer to the scarcity of
Purshia tridentata in this phase of the community. The soil moisture-
holding capacity appears, due to a textural difference, to be slightly less
here than in the parent ecosystem. Here the A horizon is a loam and the B
15
Average site-vegetation characteristics for the Festuca idahoensis phase
of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 6 Condition class: poor
-Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 0.2 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 3.6 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 94.9 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 0.1 percent surface area -- 83
Total vegetation, 1.2 percent surface area -- 100
Purshia tridentata, 2 percent crown cover 9 100
Haplopappus bloomeri | £7
Festuca idahoensis 62 100
Carex rossii M7 100
Stipa occidentalis = 100
Sitanion hystrix 2 100
Poa nervosa 1 100
Bromus carinatus af 33
Lupinus caudatus 4 100
Microsteris gracilis 4 100
Fragaria virginiana i 100
Achillea millefolium 8 67
Hieraceum cynoglossoides a 100
Silene sp. At 83
Balsamorhiza sagittata 3 17
Antennaria geyeri ai 33
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
peracre <10inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus ponderosa 180 1,940 100 53
16
“
horizon ranges to clay loam. In the parent ecosystem the A ranges from
loam to clay loam and to clay in the B. Less available moisture is also
indicated by the reduction of total vegetation basal area from 1.5 percent
in the parent ecosystem to 1.2 percent in this phase. Tree and shrub
crown cover reduction followed the same trend, varying respectively from
60 and 7 percent for the parent to 538 and 2 percent in the phase. The
trend was followed in percent composition. Respective shrub composition
percentages for the parent and phase were 16 and 1. Forbs showed no
change in composition. Grass composition percentages showed a reverse
trend, 75 percent for the parent and 87 percent for the phase.
Although there are no obvious indications that animal use has caused
the reduction in shrub cover and increase in grass, it cannot be discounted
without more intensive study. Fire may have produced the grass physiog-
nomy. This is extremely difficult to determine since fire scars are common
in both this and the parent ecosystem. In any case, rapid natural improve-
ment of the shrub stand will be doubtful.
Habitat value. — Food and cover value is considered poor. In com-
paring this phase with the parent ecosystem, the two principal differences
are effective hiding cover and forage production. Hiding cover is thinner °
here as indicated by 1,940 Pinus ponderosa seedling and sapling stems per
acre compared with 2,932 for the parent ecosystem. Forb production is
approximately the same, but Purshia tridentata production is reduced
more than 70 percent from that indicated in the parent ecosystem. Pro-
duction of grass and grasslike species increased in this phase, but the bulk
of it, Festuca idahoensis and Carex rossii, has little importance as deer
forage except as new green growth in late spring and early fall.
Habitat manipulation. — See parent ecosystem. If understory reseeding
is desired and if the overstory cut is sufficient to make expansion of the
understory feasible, then P. tridentata should be considered the priority
species to be reseeded for wildlife.
1g
ve a | ae es
g
AN
WW, v? * y Ra 4 ft “aN
* ny UI _ t : - | % \
Waste yf * “ Lat Si) 7 WV
5.
es
TR
44 +" Md
Ve
OE
eine
i j ai ae A .
Eh ent Al “us ' “":
4) 4 rome) %, , Vf ! i, yj Ne ~
a 4 ‘ ‘i eT } , ws Me i
*.
, Yd ne) DP
mall cael pay
Niky ee) ah
fge @ iz /
im 4 ae AMY,
ae 3° Ayh
Rg as «eg + te Jf
= ¢ ~~ ‘ ~ ww hg res j
af Aah #* a : tae # wd 4&5 - ; Le. > hed /
" . ny Fo rn ea 1 owe we ay ts a) tak rad)
4 aA ‘ : eo ; i a ie f ‘= ; oF a. ‘ fi ) Se , afl (try
das! NI ca” OO lead Say ME if i
Pa my, ¢ 4 ‘ payee PAS aT, Ws by ms WY ip 4%
: ; ‘ = Fi : * 4 Lage $: “S15
i - £9 ew Fy jee ; les
I ROIRBOLIN Pate fi SITS |
. Fak ‘ be \ ¥) ne j Cy a i 8 GP te ~
ADs =p Ree Pain ART ON
" ‘ i a> ‘i oy, + VY Alsi, } Ve
‘ ; y AR aha? 7 ee sea OAM s v\ {
“ & rec ye! y MATE '
Mt eg Ne ALY Git lilies
i “lb 4 ; .
i‘ * : gy Je MM . % ': aT mi .
a :¥ - Rae a ait? fr P : ~~ fer
a TODS itd Ne uae" ide. Fe
4 Fi e i ¥ His eal, 4, he *\ (} aye ew’ & . " , ‘AN
* : § ei ts a, 4% hh ee! a Wy
Nod OAR ies say
EN)
General view of the Festuca phase of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca
idahoensis ecosystem. Note the paucity of P. tridentata.
Closeup of the Festuca phase of the P. ponderosa/P. tridentata/F. idahoensis ecosystem.
Ze
IP.
Ps § An \ ie! i :
: * ‘) e, . * ‘s de
iP, Fp Ae tee. ;
1 4 Paadaaed eee OY
4 : . ‘4b ; Pale f
he \p % vy ‘ ar 7 Ny
el ck aT So
oy q) OK *
Py AuleAttee oct
Wi a ee fia}
t ee :
SNe, Ah
VI a hr NNT
a)
Ae AG
ans ‘ ne Sap.
Pinus ponderosa/
Purshia tridentata /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem:
Carex rossii Phase
| Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem has the same gross site characteristics as the
Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem which
_ will be referred to as the parent ecosystem.
Vegetation. — The vegetation differs from that of the parent primarily
by exhibiting only half as many P. ponderosa stems per acre, less crown
cover and basal area of the same species, more P. tridentata, and a decided
dominance of Carex rossii in the grass-forb layer.
The tall shrub Arctostaphylos patula is present in trace amounts here
but is absent in the parent, and the mat-forming shrub Ceanothus
prostratus is present as a trace in the parent but absent here. Changes in
the forb complement were primarily in composition with one exception,
the addition of the perennial Apocynum androsaemifolium in this phase.
Soil. — The soil in this phase, like that in the parent, is tentatively clas-
sified as a Tournquist loam. However, it is shallow (22 inches) compared
with the parent (30 inches). Textural differences of the B horizon are
small, tending to be heavier in the phase and with more stone and gravels
throughout the profile than that of the parent. A representative profile is:
01 1-0. Pine litter.
Al 0-2 inches. Brown (7.5 YR 5/4) dry, dark reddish brown (5 YR
3/2) moist; loam; weak, very fine granular; loose; very friable,
slightly sticky, slightly plastic; pH 6.3; roots abundant.
A3 2-11 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 5/4) dry, dark reddish
brown (5 YR 3/4) moist; light clay loam; weak, fine granular;
slightly hard; friable, slightly sticky, slightly plastic; pH 6.3; roots
abundant.
Bl 11-15 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 3.4/4) moist; clay loam;
weak, fine subangular blocky; firm, sticky, plastic with thin
patchy clay flows on the ped surfaces; pH 6.3; roots common.
15-22 inches. Dark reddish brown (4 YR 3/4) moist; clay; moder-
ate fine subangular blocky; extremely hard; extremely firm, very
1g
sticky, very plastic with thick continuous clay flows on the ped
surfaces; pH 6.2; roots few.
CD2 22-24 inches +. Weathered basalt. There are numerous basalt
stones throughout the full solum.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This appears to be a variant of the Pinus ponderosa/
Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem due to subtle environ-
mental changes, probably moisture, primarily. There is evidence of past
fires in this stand of vegetation. Charred remains of trees and a partial
stand of mature timber with a patchy understory of sapling and pole size
timber indicate disturbance.
Habitat value. — Value is moderate for both forage and cover. Al-
though density of quality browse (Purshia tridentata) is very high, acreage
is small. Cover is below average for Pinus ponderosa with stems per acre
being 1,485 here, compared with 2,932 in the parent, and 1,940 in the
Festuca phase.
Habitat manipulation. — Suggestions for habitat manipulation and re-
habilitation follow those for the parent ecosystem. However, the density
of Purshia tridentata is so great (3,834 stems per acre) that with some care
in logging, the residual stand may be adequate for deer and livestock
requirements.
The Carex rossii phase of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis
ecosystem has a denser stand of P. tridentata than any other ecosystem discussed.
rossi phase!
Number of plots: 6
Site and vegetation
Bare soil, 4.2 percent surface area
Rock, 1.4 percent surface area
Litter, 93 percent surface area
Moss, 0.2 percent surface area
Total vegetation, 1.2 percent surface area
Purshia tridentata, 11 percent crown cover;
| 3,834 stems per acre
_ Mahonia repens, 108 stems per acre
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, 9 stems per acre
| Haplopappus bloomeri, 18 stems per acre
Arctostaphylos patula, 38 stems per acre
_ Carex rossii
| Stipa occidentalis
Festuca idahoensis
Sitanion hystrix
Poa nervosa
_ Koeleria cristata
_ Achillea millefolium
_ Castilleja sp.
4 Microsteris gracilis
_ Senecio integerrimus
Viola purpurea
| Balsamorhiza sagittata
Fragaria virginiana
_ Lomatium triternatum
_ Lupinus caudatus
Hieracium cynoglossoides
_ Antennaria geyeri
_ Arnica cordifolia
21
Hoes 4 ©
Condition class: good
Understory
composition
PER DOOR PR RAR O
_ Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem; Carex
Frequency
100
100
100
100
100
ET
100
50
83
83
67
50
83
50
83
50
33
33
a nats ioe naan es A staan
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 6 Condition class: good
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Apocynum androsaemifolium wt TF
Pterospora andromeda 4h 17
Sidalcea oregana A’ 17
Cryptantha ambigua? if 100
Collomia tenella? 1 50
Collinsia parviflora’ = 100
Lithospermum sp.’ 3 17
Gayophytum nutallii? fi 83
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
peracre <10inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus ponderosa 120 1,435 100 45
Juniperus occidentalis i. a 100 ps
Cercocarpus ledifolius 1 9 50 fy
Abies concolor Fr ir Ly fb
? Annuals.
22
=
~~
Pinus ponderosa /
Arctostaphylos patula/
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem occupies approximately 10,000 acres within the
study area, primarily on the slopes of 7,000-foot Hager Mountain but with
a small amount occurring on Dead Indian Mountain which is near the
north end of Winter Ridge. The typical ecosystem occurs at elevations
from 4,900 to 6,500 feet and on slopes from 5 to 25 percent. At the
higher elevations and steep slopes it occurs on northwest to east aspects,
whereas it may be found on others at lower elevations and on moderate
slopes.
Vegetation. — Dominant species which typify this ecosystem are Pinus
ponderosa, Arctostaphylos patula, and Festuca idahoensis. In some areas
Ceanothus velutinus becomes an important shrub component. In the tree
layer, Abies concolor varies from a codominant position with P. ponder-
osa to a minor component.
Basal area of all vegetation averages 1.2 percent for the ecosystem.
Grasses make up a much smaller part (34 percent) of the composition here
than in any other ecosystem. Due to a small sample size, data in the table
should be used cautiously.
Soil. — The soil is a well-drained loam varying from 25 to 30 inches in
depth with an A horizon averaging 11 inches and a B horizon averaging 15
inches. Texture is loam for the A horizon, and the B horizon ranges from
silty clay loam to clay loam. The pH ranges from 5.0 to 6.0 in the A hori-
zon and from 5.5 to 6.0 in the B. Root concentration is in the upper 14
inches. Percentage of rock on the solum surface and in the solum averages
less than 5 percent. Litter cover and bare ground average 95 and 3 per-
cent, respectively.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — The occurrence of Abies concolor in the Pinus ponderosa
stand identifies this community as a successional stage of the P.
ponderosa-A. concolor/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. Another indication
23
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Pinus ponderosa/Arctostaph-
ylos patula/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 3 Condition class: high good
Dominance| Understory
composition | Frequency
Site and vegetation
~------- Percent - -----
Bare soil, 3 percent surface area -- -- 100
Rock, 0.1 percent surface area -- -- 100
Litter, 95.6 percent surface area -- - 100
Moss, 0.1 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 1.2 percent surface
area o -- 100
Arctostaphylos patula, 10 percent
crown cover D Ze 100
Ceanothus prostratus, 8 percent
crown cover 3 13 66
Haplopappus bloomeri 3 at 100
Purshia tridentata 3 T 100
Ceanothus velutinus, 0.3 percent
crown cover 2 a 66
Amelanchier alnifolia 1 Ty 33
Chimaphila umbellata i dl 33
Symphoricarpos albus 1 a 33
Festuca idahoensis 5 yy 100
Sitanion hystrix 3 10 100
Poa nervosa 2 1 66
Carex rossii 3 9 100
Stipa occidentalis rs, Al 100
Balsamorhiza sagittata 3 sf 66
Hieracium cynoglossoides 4 8 100
24
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 3
Site and vegetation
Dominance| Understory
composition] Frequency
Condition class: high good
------ ee Percent ------
Achillea millefolium 3 4 66
Fragaria virginiana 4 2 100
Castilleja sp. 3 il 66
Eriophyllum lanatum 3 1) 100
Apocynum androsaemifolium 3 19 66
Lupinus sp. 3 8 66
Agoseris sp. Z ly 66
Anaphalis margaritacea it at 33
Delphinium sp. 1 4y 33
Lilium colombianum I T 30
Pterospora andromeda 1 a 30
Sidalcea oregana it a 33
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal Stems per
area in acre <10 Percent
Dominance square feet inches Percent crown
rating per acre d.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus ponderosa 5 ov SUP 100 48
Abies concolor 3 2 69 100 2
Cercocarpus ledifolius 3 iL 78 66 Al
Pinus contorta 2 Af AP 33 aT
Juniperus occidentalis 1 lf T 33 at
Prunus emarginata 1 At Ah 33 th
295
aye
s
‘a
wae
e 2
P 4
ea
_
&
a
*
sn
¥ , am 2 od » a
aoe 4 ns : hae EE
“ee aos . 3 Fe ee See
te
Pinus ponderosa/Arctostaphylos patula/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem.
of their relationship is the occurrence in the parent ecosystem of dead
remnants of Arctostaphylos patula which were crowded out by dense
| patches of tree reproduction.
This successional community varies widely in both species and compo-
sition; particularly noticeable is the variation in shrubs and forbs.
Habitat value. — This ecosystem is of moderate value as deer habitat. It
provides only a small portion of the summer deer range because of its re-
stricted location and limited acreage. Total summer forage is not so great
| as in the habitats where Purshia tridentata is more prominent. However,
forbs comprise a greater proportion of the forage here than in the Pinus
ponderosa/P. tridentata/Festuca idahoensis association.
Hiding cover is high due to the patchy but dense Abies concolor and
Pinus ponderosa reproduction.
Habitat manipulation. — Selective logging would probably produce a
2 6
i
2 eee ee
: se 3 if es oe
“ie : ek, :
rie ee eee Be
Ground cover closeup of the P. ponderosa/A. patula/F. idahoensis ecosystem.
temporary increase in herbaceous forage, but the long-range value would
be small.
Logging with severe site disturbance would precipitate a substantial in-
crease in most understory species, probably with a resultant increase in
deer concentrations. We might expect P. tridentata to suffer in relation to
other shrubs. Where Festuca idahoensis is dominant we can expect it to
hold its own in relation to Carex, Stipa, and Sitanion. Where other species
are codominant, it will probably be outproduced. It is doubtful that pine
plantings or seedings would be seriously disturbed in this situation as the
summer range is not normally the range of short food supply. However, if
animal damage did occur, then consideration should be given to large
clearcuts in order to more easily absorb the deer numbers or to a selective
cutting with reliance on natural regeneration and a less attractive situation
for deer concentrations.
21
Pinus ponderosa-
Cercocarpus ledifolius / |
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
This is an ecosystem which may occur anywhere in the drier portions
of the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem.
Soil is normally a shallow phase of that under the adjacent P. ponderosa/
Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. In this study area, it
would be the Tournquist loam; although near the lower edge of the forest,
it may occur on other soils derived from pumice and volcanic ash.
Pinus ponderosa is dominant, with Cercocarpus ledifolius an important
but secondary species. Juniperus occidentalis, Purshia tridentata,
Artemisia tridentata, and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus are minor com-
ponents of the stand. Festuca idahoensis is the strong dominant in the
grass-forb layer with Carex rossii, Sitanion hystrix, Agropyron spicatum,
and Stipa occidentalis other less important species. Commonly occurring
forbs are Achillea millefolium and Eriophyllum lanatum.
Habitat value is low due to limited acreage and low browse availability.
Primary value of the ecosystem is cover.
28
Pinus ponderosa-Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. Note the paucity
of shrubs.
A close view of the ground cover in the P. ponderosa-C. ledifolius/F. idahoensis eco-
$ re
E. i ¥ 4
Yee * 2 €
L
ig aan
Os a
Pinus ponderosa /
Artemisia tridentata/
Bromus carinatus
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem occupies several thousand acres at elevations be-
tween 6,000 and 7,200 feet with a slight westerly aspect. This is an area
where the runoff from heavy snowpacks appears to produce numerous in-
termittent drainageways or seasonal streambeds.
Vegetation. — Pinus ponderosa dominates the overstory and is mixed
with very small numbers of Pinus contorta and Abies concolor. Tree re-
production, although sparse, includes all three species with P. ponderosa
outnumbering the others tenfold. The shrub layer is characterized by a
dominant stand of Artemisia tridentata with Symphoricarpos albus and
Eriogonum microthecum commonly distributed throughout.
Bromus carinatus and Poa nervosa are about equally abundant and to-
gether account for about 31 percent of the total composition. Lesser
amounts of Sitanion hystrix, Stipa occidentalis, and Carex rossii complete
the grass and sedge component of this ecosystem.
Forbs are less prominent than grasses. About 15 species combine to
make 10 percent or less of the vegetal composition. Collinsia parviflora, an
annual, makes up nearly half of the forb component, and the other half is
composed primarily of Achillea millefolium, Lathyrus sp., and Fragaria
virginiana.
Soil. — The soil is a moderately deep, well-drained loam with gravels
common throughout the solum. Depth averages 24 inches and roots are
concentrated in the upper 8 inches but common to 20 inches. Stones ac-
count for 1 percent of the soil surface and vary from less than 5 percent
to 60 percent of the solum volume.
The A horizon has a loam texture, a pH of 5.8, and averages 12 inches
in depth. The B horizon is a clay loam, 12 inches deep, and the pH is 5.8
to 6.0. The typical profile description is as follows:
All 0-3 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2)?; brown (7.38 YR 4/4
crushed) loam; dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/2) moist; loam; weak
3In this profile, colors will be dry unless otherwise noted.
30
fine granular structure; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly
plastic; abundant very fine and fine roots; slightly acid reaction
(pH 5.8); abrupt, smooth boundary. (2 to 4 inches thick.)
A12 3-7 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2); brown (7.5 YR 4/4 crushed)
loam; dark reddish brown (5 YR 2/2) moist; loam; weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure; very friable; slightly sticky, slightly plas-
tic; common very fine, fine and medium roots; slightly acid reac-
tion (pH 5.8); clear, smooth boundary. (3 to 5 inches thick.)
A3 7-12 inches. Brown (7.5 YR 4/2) dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/3)
moist; loam; strong, medium subangular blocky structure; firm;
sticky, plastic; common, very fine, fine, and medium roots; slight-
ly acid reaction (pH 5.8); abrupt, smooth boundary. (4 to 6 inches
thick.)
Bl 12-18 inches. Brown (7.5 YR 4/4) dark reddish brown (5 YR 2/2)
moist; clay loam; strong, medium subangular blocky structure;
firm; sticky, plastic; common fine and medium roots; slightly acid
reaction (pH 5.8); clear, smooth boundary. (5 to 7 inches thick.)
B2 18-24 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; pinkish grey (7.5
YR 7/2) on dry surfaces broken across peds; thin clay films on ped
surfaces; clay; strong, medium angular blocky structure; extremely
firm; very sticky, very plastic; uncommon fine, medium and large
roots; neutral reation (pH 6.0); clear, smooth boundary.
C 24-28 inches +. Light brown (7.5 YR 6/4); strong brown (7.5 YR
0/6) moist; abundant partly decomposed igneous materials; few
medium roots.
Permeability is estimated as moderate and runoff as slow to medium.
Erosion hazard is low to medium. Effective rooting depth includes the full
horizon under natural vegetation.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — We think of Artemisia tridentata as occurring primarily
in the low rainfall, high desert areas rather than the high elevation, high
precipitation area of tnis ecosystem. However, A. tridentata is the domi-
nant shrub in the general area of upper Winter Ridge. This ecosystem
seems to be a relatively stable one. Reproduction varies from pure Pinus
ponderosa to a mixture of P. ponderosa, P. contorta, and very sparse
Abies concolor. Ecotones occur between this plant community and A.
concolor, P. contorta, Populus tremuloides, and Artemisia arbuscula in the
same general elevation range, and P. ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca
idahoensis community at the lower elevation perimeter.
Habitat value. — Value is moderate to high for deer and livestock due
to the wide variety of summer forbs which are available. Tree reproduc-
tion is very sparse and provides little protective cover.
Habitat manipulation. — Clearcutting does not seem desirable for this
ecosystem. Observations in the general area indicate that fire results in a
successional stage of dense Artemisia tridentata and forbs, making success-
31
ful reforestation difficult. Reforestation should always be accomplished as
rapidly as possible after a burn. In addition, following burns or selective
logging, consideration should be given to seeding forbs, native and intro-
duced, for game and livestock use rather than grass and browse. Forbs are
probably better competitors than browse with the vigorous and dense A.
tridentata stands observable on all burns in the area and may also be more
desirable as summer forage.
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Pinus ponderosa/Artemisia
tridentata/Bromus carinatus ecosystem’
Number of plots: 5
Site and vegetation
Bare soil, 14 percent surface area
Rock, 1 percent surface area
Litter, 83 percent surface area
Moss, zero percent surface area
Condition class: good
Understory
composition
Total vegetation, 2 percent surface area --
Artemisia tridentata
Eriogonum microthecum
Symphoricarpos albus
Ribes cereum
Bromus carinatus
Poa nervosa
Sitanion hystrix
Stipa occidentalis
Carex rossii
Achillea millefolium
Lathyrus sp.
iy
14
ean tes
re DO
32
Frequency
100
100
(— Continued)
Number of Plots: 5 Condition class: good
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Fragaria virginiana 1 40
Aster sp. 6 40
Lupinus sp. 6 A0
Hieraceum cynoglossoides ll 60
Agoseris sp. ol 20
Arnica cordifolia salt 20
Balsamorhiza sagittata ol 20
Eriophyllum lanatum lt 20
Penstemon sp. mil 20
Sidalcea oregana val 20
Silene sp. T 20
Collinsia parviflora? 5 100
Polygonum douglasii* 6 60
Collomia grandiflora’ ll 40
T = trace.
" Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
peracre <10inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus ponderosa 139 OG 100 47
Pinus contorta 2 10 60 Ap
Abies concolor Ah 4 20 i
Juniperus occidentalis T AL 20 AL
* Annuals.
33
a *
fae;
“sf Res:
Bot * = a - F
ge €4 5, P ‘ . "som ‘
}
we
eS Hes
Dense Artemisia tridentata is serious competition to other species of the open canopied
Pinus ponderosa/A. tridentata/Bromus carinatus ecosystem.
Grasses are well used by cattle in the P. ponderosa/A. tridentata/B. carinatus ecosystem.
Pinus ponderosa-
Abies concolor/
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem ranges in elevation from approximately 5,000
to 7,000 feet and includes moderate slopes of a northerly aspect averaging
7 percent. This includes the upper three-quarters of the Pinus ponderosa
communities where slope aspect and/or elevation provide conditions
which are suitable.
Vegetation. — Overstory is a mixture of Pinus ponderosa and Abies
concolor in varying proportions but is generally dominated by mature
pine. A. concolor dominates tree reproduction on all plots sampled, and
Pinus contorta occurs on about 25 percent of the plots.
The shrub layer, which is characterized by Mahonia repens and Purshia
tridentata, is a minor component from the standpoint of composition;
however, frequencies of both these species are above 50 percent.
Principal forbs (100-percent frequency) are Hieracium cynoglossoides,
Fragaria virginiana, and Arnica cordifolia.
Grasses and sedges are second only to trees in basal area composition,
with Festuca idahoensis dominant. Other species that occurred with
100-percent frequency are Carex rossii, Stipa occidentalis, Sitanion
hystrix, and Poa nervosa.
Soil. — The soil is a Tournquist loam (tentative) which is over 30 inches
deep. The Al of 2 inches and A8 of 7 inches are dark reddish brown
loams, the B1 of 8 inches is a dark red gritty heavy loam, the B21 of 9
inches is a dark clay loam, and the B22 of 4 inches is a dark red stony
clay. The B31, beginning at 30 inches, contains well-weathered basalt
fragments.
This is a well-drained soil with roots concentrated in the upper 17
inches and common to 26 inches. Surface rock makes up only one-half of
1 percent of the soil surface area and less than 5 percent of the solum
volume. Permeability is estimated as good and runoff is slow. Erosion
hazard is low. Effective rooting depth is the full horizon under natural
vegetation.
35
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Pinus ponderosa-Abies con-
color/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 7 Condition class: high good
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 1.7 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 0.3 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 96.4 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 0.1 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 1.5 percent surface area = 100
Mahonia repens 2 57
Purshia tridentata iL 86
Arctostaphylos patula 3 29
Festuca idahoensis 39 100
Carex rossil pal 100
Stipa occidentalis 6 100
Poa nervosa 4 100
Sitanion hystrix 4 100
Bromus carinatus a 43
Danthonia californica 6 14
Fragaria virginiana 4 100
Arnica cordifolia 4 100
Hieraceum cynoglossoides 5 100
Achillea millefolium 1 £2
Lupinus caudatus 1 ra
Paeonia brownii i] 71
36
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 7 Condition class: high good
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Senecio integerrimus 1 WS
Sidalcea oregana 1 D7
Lomatium triternatum 8 29
Microsteris gracilis 8 29
Phacelia sp. aS 29
Balsamorhiza sagittata a 43
Antennaria geyeri A 14
Collinsia parviflora? 2 57
Cryptantha ambigua?’ 8 43
Epilobium minutum? “4 43
Lithospermum sp.’ A 14
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
peracre <10inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Abies concolor 54 2,941 100 |
Pinus ponderosa is\al 458 100 66
Pinus contorta 3 130 ZOy
Juniperus occidentalis T 2g 14 A
? Annuals.
37
Discussion
Ecosystem. — The dominance of Abies concolor reproduction in the
understory of this ecosystem indicates the future dominance of the
species in the mature stand, assuming no major disturbance. Past manage-
ment practices have favored Pinus ponderosa dominance by selective log-
ging of the A. concolor whenever feasible.
This ecosystem illustrates clearly the influence of moisture and temper-
ature changes on vegetation. Subtle changes of elevation, aspect, and slope
result in obvious changes in composition of conifer regeneration through-
out the study area. Wherever these influences produce better moisture and
temperature conditions, the Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca
idahoensis community gives way to the mixed conifer of the one under
discussion. P. tridentata decreases, Mahonia repens becomes more promi-
nent, and forbs change both in species and in composition.
Habitat value. — Value is considered high, primarily due to the excel-
lent protective cover and the summer forage supplied by forbs. This
Pinus ponderosa-A bies concolor/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. Note the dense conifer
reproduction, primarily of A. concolor.
Understory view of P. ponderosa-A. concolor/F. idahoensis.
’ we?
es ‘ “ Le wee Sy
Ks ‘ * ,anel + oo
, : . yi ¢ 4
—<*. a Hi eS
d s- tate i fe.
iS ¢ ’ to fi *
“
on rr
x t
» 3 * Pe
: : é
4 ~
4 es
ecosystem exhibits the highest density in conifer stems per acre under 10
inches d.b.h. of any described in this study, amounting to 3,530. Forage
supplied by forbs, although not significantly greater here than in other
ecosystems, is palatable over a longer period of time because of the cooler
temperatures and higher moisture conditions prevailing on these sites.
Habitat manipulation. — After logging or burning, we can expect an in-
crease in Arctostaphylos patula. In rehabilitating these sites, there is a
great opportunity for experimentation with legumes and other forbs. It
may be desirable to convert the native forb components, some of which
are used very little if any, to introduced species both suitable to the site
and highly palatable to deer. Additional benefits that might accrue from
forb development — as compared with shrub development — are reduced
competition with tree regeneration and improvement of the habitat for
ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus sabini) (Gabrielson and Jewett 1940).
If a rehabilitation program is considered and grasses, particularly
fescue, are dominating the site, scarification may be necessary.
4%)
Pinus contorta /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This is a relatively small ecosystem which occurs from 5,000 to
6,000 feet in elevation with moderate to level topography, slopes aver-
aging 3 percent and aspects ranging from north to northeast. It can occur
in a meadow edge situation. Downed logs with evidence of fire are com-
mon throughout.
Vegetation. — Pinus contorta is dominant in both overstory and repro-
duction. Pinus ponderosa and Abies concolor are common in very small
numbers. P. ponderosa was present in all the macroplots but was not re-
corded in any microplots, whereas A. concolor, with four times as many
stems per acre, was more widely distributed.
The shrub layer consisting of Purshia tridentata and Chrysothamnus
viscidiflorus is very sparse.
Festuca idahoensis is dominant in the grass stratum, making up over
half of the total understory. The next three most prominent species in
order of abundance are Carex rossii, Sitanion hystrix, and Stipa occi-
dentalis. Other grasses include Poa nervosa, Danthonia californica, and
Bromus carinatus.
The primary forbs in order of abundance are Microsteris gracilis,
Fragaria virginiana, Lupinus sp., Viola purpurea, Lomatium triternatum,
Achillea millefolium, and Arnica cordifolia. Among others of equal forage
value but much less common are Sidalcea oregana, Hieraceum cyno-
glossoides, Penstemon sp., and Trifolium sp.
Soil. — This is a well-drained loamy soil with root concentrations in the
upper 15 inches and roots common to 28 inches. Surface rock makes up
0.2 percent of the soil surface and less than 5 percent of the solum
volume. The A horizon is a dark reddish brown loam approximately 10
inches deep. The B horizon is 18 inches thick and ranges from a dark red-
dish brown heavy loam to a clay loam.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — The community appears to be a fire-produced seral stage
which is progressing to an overstory of Abies concolor. The trend is indi-
40
eeN
ce Ws
=.*.
OSS aw. Ly RN
R iy Py oh fa.
SS weet:
5
a
SS
a
ii
ae:
IS.
.
hiding cover for game. Note absence of shrub cover.
f F. idahoens
inance O
Pinus contorta/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem illustrating logs from old burn and good
Pinus contorta/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem ground cover illustrating the strong dom-
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Pinus contorta/Festuca
idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 6
Site and vegetation
Bare soil, 1.8 percent surface area
Rock, 0.2 percent surface area
Litter, 96.8 percent surface area
Moss, 0.1 percent surface area
Total vegetation, 1.1 percent surface area
Purshia tridentata
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Festuca idahoensis
Carex rossii
Sitanion hystrix
Stipa occidentalis
Poa nervosa
Danthonia californica
Bromus carinatus
Microsteris gracilis
Fragaria virginiana
Lupinus sp.
Viola purpurea
Achillea millefolium
Lomatium triternatum
Arnica cordifolia
Sidalcea oregana
Hieraceum cynoglossoides
Thalictrum sp.
42
Condition class: good
Understory
composition
55
No - Oo -]
pe ne eh IND) ND) ines CO
on
Frequency
100
100
.
(—- Continued)
Number of plots: 6
Site and vegetation
Trifolium sp.
Silene sp.
Penstemon sp.
Potentilla sp.
Zigadenus sp.
Antennaria rosea
Geum ciliatum
Geum sp.
Paeonia brownii
Potentilla glomerata
Gayophytum nutallii?
Collomia tenella?
Epilobium minutum?
Lithophragma sp.?
i hace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in
square feet
per acre
Pinus contorta 144 IEA S533
Pinus ponderosa D 87
Abies concolor a, Bye
Juniperus occidentalis AR 2
* Annuals.
43
Stems per acre
<10 inches d.b.h.
Understory
composition
Condition class: good
Frequency
Percent
Percent crown
frequency cover
100 1
100 il
100 AD
iy) AE
cated first by the young stand of shade-tolerant A. concolor which
averages 322 stems per acre and second by the evidence of fire history.
The trend is further indicated by the occurrence of Bromus carinatus and
Danthonia californica, which are not found in the drier Pinus ponderosa/
Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis association but occur within the
more mesic P. ponderosa-A. concolor/F. idahoensis association.
There may be an interaction of cold air drainage in situations of low or
“pocket”? topography. However, with both Abies concolor and Pinus
ponderosa reproduction present, it would have to be minor enough for P.
contorta to ameliorate temperatures sufficiently in the spring to allow the
other conifers to establish themselves.
Habitat value. — Value to game is fair due to low acreage. It is valuable
primarily in the area of protection and secondarily in forage in the form
of ahigh variety of forbs. A dense stand of over 2,000 young trees per acre
provides game with good protection from heat, insects, and all other sources
of harassment during the late spring, summer, and fall seasons. In that
respect, this community compares quite closely with the Pinus
ponderosa/A bies concolor/Festuca idahoensis community.
Habitat manipulation. — Overstory removal would reduce protection
values for game but increase forage values for both game and livestock.
With severe ground disturbance favoring a dominance of grasses and Pinus
contorta, it would be necessary to scarify the soil before P. ponderosa or
forbs could be planted.
When this ecosystem occurs in a meadow edge situation with an inter-
action of cold temperature, it may be best to log, forgo rehabilitation, and
allow a natural succession to follow, gambling that intensified manage-
ment of the future will allow us to thin at the proper time to produce a
valuable crop of P. contorta. If rehabilitation is desirable in this situation,
advice should be sought in order to plan what may be a difficult program.
In any case, from a game standpoint, this ecosystem presents a better
opportunity for grass and forb rehabilitation than for shrubs. Forbs,
particularly, would supply needed succulents for both deer and grouse.
44
Pinus contorta/
Danthonia californica
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem is characterized by a low site which we might
describe as one step above a meadow. It is a typically moist site, possibly
with a cold air drainage pattern. This situation may occur at any elevation
range within the study area.
Vegetation. — It is characterized by an overstory of Pinus contorta
with sparse and scattered reproduction. Basal area averages 128 square
feet per acre, including reproduction above 5.5 feet, and average density
of stems under 10-inch d.b.h. is 620 per acre.
There is no shrubby understory.
The grass layer is dominated by Danthonia californica, with five other
grasses and grasslike species of a total of 13 being major components of
the stand.
The forb dominant is Antennaria corymbosa. Other important forbs
are Aster sp., Trifolium sp., Achillea millefolium, and Fragaria virginiana.
Forbs of minor but consistent occurrence include Sidalcea oregana, Geum
macrophylum, and Potentilla gracilis. Due to a small sample size, data in
the table should be used with caution.
Soil. — The soil is a moderately deep and moderately well-drained clay
loam. There is less than 5 percent of the soil surface covered with stone,
and stone comprises less than 15 percent of the solum volume. Roots are
concentrated in the upper 12 inches.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This is a small, highly variable ecosystem that is obvi-
ously responsive to moisture gradients which account for its irregular
vegetation patterns. It is very possibly a result of invasion of Pinus con-
torta into a dry meadow type. A relatively high moisture table and/or a
45
Pinus contorta/Danthonia californica ecosystem’ \
Number of plots: 2 Condition class: good
Dominance
rating
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 5 percent surface area -- 100 |
Rock, <5 percent surface area -- 100 |
Litter, 85 percent surface area -- 100 |
Moss, 5 percent surface area -- 100 |
Total vegetation, <5 percent surface area -- 100 |
Danthonia californica 5 100 |
Carex sp. 3 100 |
Deschampsia elongata 3 100 |
Juncus sp. 3 100 |
Koeleria cristata 3 100 )
Muhlenbergia filiformis 3 100 |
Poa sp. 2 100
Scirpus sp. 2 100 |
Sitanion hystrix 1 100
Stipa occidentalis 1 100
Danthonia unispicata 1 50
Deschampsia danthonioides 1 50
Festuca idahoensis 1 50
Antennaria corymbosa 3 100
Achillea millefolium 3 100
Aster sp. 3 100
Fragaria virginiana 3 100
Trifolium sp. 3 100
Agoseris sp. Z 100
Geum macrophyllum 2 100
Potentilla gracilis 2 100
Sidalcea oregana 2 100
46
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 2 Condition class: good
Dominance
rating
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Penstemon sp. 2 50
Arnica cordifolia 1 50
Circium sp. 1 50
Geum sp. il 30
Phacelia sp. 1 30
Potentilla glandulosa 1 50
Linanthus harknessii” 1 50
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Stems per Percent
Dominance square feet acre <10 Percent crown
rating peracre inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Pinus contorta D 128 620 100 50
? Annual.
cold drainage appear to be why this ecosystem is characterized by P. con-
torta rather than P. ponderosa, the typical species in adjacent but higher
and drier ecosystems.
Habitat value. — The value of this ecosystem is low, primarily due to
the relatively small acreage available to game in this summer range. How-
ever, wherever it occurs, both deer and grouse find succulent mid- and late
summer forbs available.
Habitat manipulation. — If a market were to develop in the area for
Pinus contorta, then clearcutting, maintenance as a meadow, and
managing for livestock grazing would be desirable, particularly considering
the scarcity of meadow acreage in this area. It may be desirable in some
locations to fence small portions of the ecosystem as game areas to en-
courage both deer and grouse development.
47
Populus tremuloides /
Artemisia tridentata /
Bromus carinatus
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem occurs between 6,000- and 7,100-foot eleva-
tion with level terrain or west-facing slopes of less than 5 percent in
areas with numerous intermittent drainageways and heavy winter snow-
packs. Topography is smooth to rolling, and the ground surface is moder-
ately rough.
Vegetation. — The overstory crown cover is unmistakably Populus
tremuloides (24 percent) with an occasional, scattered Pinus ponderosa.
Artemisia tridentata is the most abundant species in the shrub stratum.
Other shrubs with wide ecosystem distribution but much less prominence
are Eriogonum microthecum and Symphoricarpos albus. Ribes cereum
and Haplopappus bloomeri complete the shrub list.
Grasses are dominated by Bromus carinatus (18-percent composition),
followed by Sitanion hystrix and Poa nervosa. Perennial forbs occurring
on all plots are Aster sp. and Lathyrus sp. Also common are Agoseris sp.,
Thalictrum sp., and Eriophyllum lanatum. The only annual which occurs
with 100-percent frequency is Collinsia parviflora.
As this community is heavily used by livestock during the summer, the
understory appears ragged and trampled. Obviously, species composition
represents something less than pristeen conditions.
Soil. — This is a deep, well-drained, medium-textured soil developed in
basalt residuum. The surface horizon (8-10 inches thick) ranges from
brown to dark brown and from silt loam to loam.
The solum is 28 inches plus with roots concentrated in the upper 10
inches but common throughout the profile. Permeability is estimated as
moderately rapid and runoff as slow to medium. Erosion hazard is medi-
um. The following soil profile description is representative of the soil
under this vegetation community:
Ol 1-0 inch. Populus tremuloides and Artemisia tridentata litter.
Al 0-2 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; loam; moderate fine
granular structure; very friable; slightly sticky, slightly plastic;
many very fine, fine, medium, and large roots; slightly acid (pH 6.2);
many stones and boulders (50 percent horizon volume); clear,
smooth boundary. (1 to 3 inches thick.)
A3 2-9 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; loam; moderate medi-
um subangular blocky structure; very friable; slightly sticky,
slightly plastic; many very fine, fine, medium, and large roots;
48
|
SS
. ——
slightly acid reaction (pH 6.0); many stones and boulders (50 per-
cent horizon volume); clear, smooth boundary. (6 to 9 inches
thick.)
Bl 9-20 inches. Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2) moist; clay loam; mod-
erate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; sticky, plastic;
common fine, medium, and large roots; slightly acid reaction (pH
6.0); many boulders (50 percent of horizon); clear wavy
boundary; this horizon has inclusions from the A3 as a result of
rodent activity and/or old root channels. (9 to 12 inches thick.)
B2 20-28 inches +. Strong brown (7.5 YR 5/6) moist; clay loam; mod-
erate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; sticky, plastic;
common fine, medium, and large roots; slightly acid reaction (pH
6.0); many boulders (50 percent of the horizon).
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This ecosystem occurs in areas within the conifer com-
munities where soil-site conditions have been naturally altered to provide
localized mesic conditions which meet the requirements of Populus trem-
uloides. Both game and livestock use are heavy, resulting in serious abuse
to understory species. Because the environment is localized and transi-
tional with concentrated shade and succulent forage, animals of all kinds
tend to congregate here as they do in the even more moist P. tremuloides
groves on streambanks and at spring locations. There is more bare soil here
than in any other ecosystem sampled.
Habitat value. — The value of this habitat for deer is limited due to the
small area involved but varies with proximity of conifer types. Where it
occurs in association with the open Pinus ponderosa/Artemisia tridentata/
Bromus carinatus association but remote from other cover, its value is
moderate due to both the cover provided by P. tremuloides and succulent
forage provided. Where it is near P. contorta thickets or Abies concolor
communities, the protective cover advantage is less important as is the
difference in forage types.
A potential value which is generally ignored is that for grouse and other
small animal species. This is high due to the excellent variety of forage and
cover which could be developed with proper management.
Habitat manipulation. — The variety and quality in forage and cover
which is available to game should put this ecosystem in a low multiple use
category for logging the occasional Pinus ponderosa which might occur in
the overstory. Opportunity exists for deer and grouse habitat improve-
ment by fencing some of the more strategically located areas, probably
scarifying the soil, and seeding the understory, if necessary, to legumes
and other desirable forbs. This would eliminate severe livestock damage in
fenced areas, allow deer use, and provide habitat which would encourage
the increase of grouse and other small animals. Consideration should also
be given to water development in the form of guzzlers for both deer and
grouse.
49
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Populus tremuloides/Artemisia
tridentata/Bromus carinatus ecosystem’
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: fair
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 30 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 1 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 67 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, zero percent surface area -- 0
Total vegetation, 2 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia tridentata, 20 percent crown cover 39 100
Eriogonum microthecum
9
Symphoricarpos albus, 3 percent crown cover 3 80
Ribes cereum ib 40
Haplopappus bloomeri sii 20
Bromus carinatus 18 100
Sitanion hystrix 6 100
Poa nervosa D 60
Stipa occidentalis 4 20
Deschampsia elongata 1 40
Melica bulbosa up 20
Aster sp. 3 100
Agoseris sp. 1 60
Thalictrum sp. iL 60
Lathyrus sp. ak 100
Lupinus caudatus A 40
50
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: fair
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
wee eee Percent --------
Potentilla glomerata A 40
Achillea millefolium a2 40
Castilleja sp. eo 20
Eriophyllum lanatum ve, 60
Lomatium triternatum a 20
Hieracium cynoglossoides al 40
Delphinium sp. wl 20
Hydrophyllum capitatum aa 20
Sidalcea oregana aE 20
Collinsia parviflora? 5 100
Polygonum douglasii” 1 80
Collomia grandiflora? nal 40
Linanthus harknessii? mah 20
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Stems per acre Percent crown
peracre <10inchesd.b.h. frequency cover
Populus tremuloides 34 435 100 24
Pinus ponderosa 1 10 80 i
Abies concolor T 2 20 St
* Annuals.
51
tus ecosystem
-. carina
identata/B
tr
ides/A.
. tremulo
ion of P
illustrat
ie?)
WwW
i
>)
2)
o
”
=)
5
3
ASS
yes
3
1S)
”
5
s
2)
MN
Q
£
8
£
ic)
5S
£
3
<
DY
Be
=
7)
is)
AS)
ie)
La)
=)
=
ss)
=
6
w”
=)
—
a.
2)
A,
Understory
Populus tremuloides
Colonies
The Populus tremuloides colonies in the mule deer’s summer and tran-
sition range characteristically occur on stream banks, around springs, or on
moisture seeps and comprise a very small acreage. Because water is more
available, these colonies are even more attractive to grazing animals than
the ecosystem discussed above and subject to the same abuse. Possibilities
for improving them are also the same.
Habitat Value
Habitat potential is similar to that in the Populus tremuloides/
Artemisia tridentata/Bromus carinatus community. However, in these
colonies there is little if any shrub cover. It appears that protection from
livestock can result in an increase of cover due to aspen suckering. Thus,
hiding cover for deer can approach that which can be attained in the P.
tremuloides/A. tridentata/B. carinatus community through fencing.
53
5 oe eh pee
-
ail ‘
Wig ee Le.
rate
i
Overall view of a Populus tremuloides colony. Note the understory vegetation cropped
short by deer and cattle.
A close view of ground vegetation under a P. tremuloides canopy.
Cercocarpus ledifolius /
Festuca idahoensis-
Agropyron spicatum
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem occurs at the lower edge of the Pinus
ponderosa/Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem and is charac-
terized by topography at elevations from 4,700 to 5,600 feet and by
slopes ranging from less than 5 to 40 percent. Exposure aspects are north-
east and northwest in the Silver Lake study area. As topography is cut
abruptly by ridges and hillocks, aspects change within very short hori-
zontal distances.
Most of the Cercocarpus ledifolius occurs in a transition area between
the lower edge of the Pinus ponderosa forest and the upper edge of the
high desert shrub steppe. It also occurs, but in smaller amounts, as inclu-
sions in the pine type, sometimes as belts around scab or Artemisia
arbuscula flats, and as a dominant on various sites throughout the high
desert of eastern Oregon.
Mean annual precipitation is approximately 12 inches with two-thirds
falling as snow and rain during the winter and the rest as rain in the fall
and spring, except for 5 percent which falls during the 3 summer months.
Vegetation. — This ecosystem is characterized by a dense, patchy cover
of Cercocarpus ledifolius averaging 36 percent, with an occasional
Juniperus occidentalis and Pinus ponderosa. The understory is primarily
_ Festuca idahoensis and Agropyron spicatum with Artemisia tridentata and
other shrubs increasing where C. ledifolius crown cover is absent. Other
shrubs include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, C. nauseosus, Ribes cereum,
and Purshia tridentata.
Balsamorhiza sagittata and Achillea millefolium are the principal forbs.
The annual, Bromus tectorum, was 11 percent of the composition, more
than any of the forbs or perennial grasses except the codominants Festuca
idahoensis and Agropyron spicatum.
Soil. — The soil is a well-drained, moderately deep stony loam on rol-
ling to steep topography. Surface area of bare soil and rock averaged 5 and
55
a
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca
idahoensis-Agropyron spicatum ecosystem’
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: good to high good
Understory
Site and vegetation composition Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 5 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 26 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 63.5 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 2 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 3.5 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia tridentata, 3 percent crown cover 4 100
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus at 80
Chrysothamnus nauseosus dl 60
Ribes cereum al 20
Purshia tridentata alt 20 |
Festuca idahoensis 37 100 |
Agropyron spicatum 24 100 |
Sitanion hystrix 9 100
Poa sandbergii 8 100
Koeleria cristata 2 80
Bromus carinatus oO 40
Bromus tectorum? ital 80
Balsamorhiza sagittata 3 80
Achillea millefolium zk 60 )
Microsteris gracilis ai 40
Astragalus stenophyllus i 20 |
Erigeron sp. i 20 |
Lupinus caudatua il 20 )
Collinsia parviflora’? T 20 |
T > trace. .
' Averages for trees are: |
Basal area in Percent Percent |
square feet per acre frequency crown cover ©
Cercocarpus ledifolius -- 100 36 )
Juniperus occidentalis - 80
Pinus ponderosa sib 80 at
2 Annual.
06
26 percent, respectively. Stone in the solum averages 60 percent of the
volume. Solum development is in mixed colluvium and weathered basalt.
A representative profile is:
Al11 0-8 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 2/2) moist; gravelly loam;
weak fine granular structure; very friable; slightly sticky and
slightly plastic; abundant very fine and fine roots and common
medium to large roots; medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); angular
cobbles 30 percent of the volume; clear, wavy boundary. (2 to 5
inches thick.)
A12 __ 3-9 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 2/2) moist; gravelly loam;
weak fine granular structure; very friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; abundant very fine, fine, and medium roots and common
large roots; medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); angular cobbles 30
percent of the volume; clear, wavy boundary. (5 to 8 inches
thick.)
B21 9-14 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/2) moist; heavy gravelly
loam; moderate, fine granular structure; very friable; slightly
sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine, fine, medium and
large roots; slightly acid reaction (pH 6.5); angular cobbles 60 per-
cent of the volume; clear, wavy boundary. (4 to 7 inches thick.)
B22 14-21 inches. Reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) moist; clay loam;
moderate fine subangular blocky structure; sticky and plastic;
uncommon fine, medium and large roots; slightly acid reaction
(pH 6.5); angular cobbles 60 percent of the volume; clear, wavy
boundary. (5 to 9 inches thick.)
IC 21 inches +. Gravelly clay, mixes with weathered basalt fragments
and cracked basalt rock.
This is a well-drained soil with moderate permeability. Runoff is esti-
mated as medium, and erosion hazard is moderate to high. Effective rooting
depth includes the entire profile under natural vegetation.
- Discussion
Ecosystem. — This is an ecosystem in good to very good condition with
little evidence of abuse by livestock. Deer have highlined the mature
Cercocarpus ledifolius, and both deer and sheep have kept the few young
plants severely hedged. Grass appears almost untouched; however, green
regrowth is used readily by deer during the fall, winter and spring periods
and should be considered an important part of their diet. The shrub layer
has been relatively undisturbed except for Purshia tridentata which
amounts to only a trace of total composition.
The greatest pressure animals have on this ecosystem seems to be that
of continued extreme use of Cercocarpus ledifolius with two results:
(1) the highlining of mature plants which probably has little adverse effect
57
SE .
ty
i.
Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis-Agropyron spicatum ecosystem. Note the
relatively open canopy.
on the maintenance or survival of the species and (2) the suppression of
young plants by producing a low-hedged or “‘pincushion’’ growth form.
This heavy utilization does not suppress germination or establishment of
young plants. They escape detection in the tall bunchgrass and winter
snows until they are 6 to 12 inches tall and have a strong competitive root
system and well-branched top.
Because this community lies between the conifer forest and high desert
steppe, it might be considered more a part of an ecotone than a separate
ecosystem. However, the consistency and reliability with which it occurs
in the position described, and the marked and abrupt change that is ex-
hibited at its upper and lower edge, make it a very real and unique
ecosystem.
Habitat value. — Although this is of relatively small acreage, it is in a
position contiguous with the other Cercocarpus ledifolius ecosystems and,
therefore, in combination they become a very valuable habitat for deer
particularly during the fall, winter, and spring periods. The greatest value
58
Nh
Nig i: i i)
as Wh
Understory view of C. ledifolius/F idahoensis-A. spicatum ecosystem. Note the prom-
inence of A. spicatum.
is hiding cover, followed by forage. This relationship might be reversed
with rehabilitation.
Habitat manipulation. — When a Cercocarpus ledifolius plant attains
the stature of a tree and is highlined, it no longer provides forage but does
continue to be a valuable source of seed. Attempts have been made to
push these trees over so that deer can utilize the forage in their tops, but
the trees usually die. Studies are underway to determine if pruning the
tops will stimulate sprouting on the lower part of the main stem, within
reach of deer.
When rehabilitation is necessary. after fire, Cercocarpus ledifolius
should be seeded exclusively until more information is gathered con-
cerning its ability to compete with other species. Reseeding on most sites
will probably be limited to hand or aerial methods due to steepness and
rockiness. Until more information is available on seed stratification, seed-
ing should be done in late fall. Overstory removal should not be deliberate
on steep sites due to erodable soils.
59
Cercocarpus ledifolius/
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem is characterized by mountainous terrain on
northeast to north-northwest exposures with slopes from less than 5 to 25
percent and at elevations from 4,700 to 5,400 feet.
Vegetation. — This vegetation, although similar in many respects to
that of the Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis-Agropyron spicatum
ecosystem, differs mainly in its much denser stand of C. ledifolius
(66-percent crown cover), fewer shrubs, and the large amount of F.
idahoensis in the composition (80 percent). The shrubs, represented
mainly by Artemisia tridentata and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, are
largely restricted to openings in the dense C. ledifolius.
The following grasses combined comprise 14 percent of the composi-
tion: Agropyron spicatum, Sitanion hystrix, Koeleria cristata, and Poa
sandbergii. Forbs that are frequently encountered include Hieraceum
cynoglossoides and Microsteris gracilis.
Soil. — Because this and the Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis-
Agropyron spicatum eocsystems are contiguous, they are subjected to
very similar climatic conditions and are derived from the same parent
material (mixed colluvium and weathered basalt). They appear to be
only slight variations of the same soil. The primary difference is the much
smaller volume of cobbles in the A horizon of this unit (5 percent as com-
pared with 30 percent). A representative profile is:
All 0-4 inches. Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2) moist; loam; weak, fine
granular structure; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common
large, medium, and many fine and very fine roots; few fine and
very fine tubular and interstitial pores; medium acid reaction (pH
6.0); cobbles 5 percent of the volume; clear, smooth boundary. (3
to 5 inches thick.)
A1l2 4-10 inches. Very dark brown (10 YR 2/2) moist; loam; weak, fine
granular structure; slightly sticky, slightly plastic; common large
60
{
‘
.
| |
|
|
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca
idahoensis ecosystem’
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: good to high good
Understory
Site and vegetation composition | Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 3 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 3 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 73.5 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 17 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 3.5 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia tridentata, 3 percent crown cover D, 80
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus T 40
Amelanchier alnifolia At 20
Ribes cereum T 20
Tetradymia canescens T 20
Festuca idahoensis 80 100
Sitanion hystrix 6 80
. Agropyron spicatum 5 100
Koeleria cristata 2 80
| Poa sandbergii il 100
_ Bromus carinatus 6 40
| Carex rossii ip 20
Bromus tectorum? 6 40
Hieraceum cynoglossoides iL 100
Microsteris gracilis il 80
Agoseris sp. 5 60
Eriophyllum lanatum 2 60
Achillea millefolium fh 20
Balsamorhiza sagittata rE 20
Erigeron sp. Ap 20
Collinsia parviflora? 2 60
Cryptantha ambigua? a2 40
Montia perfoliata? sh 20
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in square Percent Percent
feet per acre frequency crown cover
Pinus ponderosa Tr 100 Ali
Cercocarpus ledifolius -- 100 66
Juniperus occidentalis At 60 iL
? Annuals.
EZ
i.
x f
=X
Seger
ee
3 ¢
bid a
ao
sg
Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. Note surprisingly dense stand of
F. idahoensis under this heavy canopy.
Understory of C. ledifolius/F. idahoensis.
and medium and many fine roots; few fine and very fine tubular
and interstitial pores; medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); cobbles 5
percent of the volume; clear, wavy boundary. (4 to 7 inches
thick.)
B21 10-16 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; clay loam; moder-
ate, fine, subangular blocky structure; sticky and plastic; common
large, medium and fine roots; common fine and very fine pores;
medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); stone 65 percent of the volume;
clear, wavy, boundary.(4 to 8 inches thick.)
B22 16-24 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; clay loam; sticky
and plastic; moderate, fine, subangular blocky structure; common
large and medium roots; few fine and very fine pores; medium acid
reaction (pH 6.0); stone 65 percent of the volume; clear, smooth
boundary. (7 to 9 inches thick.)
IIC 24 inches +. Weathered basalt gravels and slightly weathered,
cracked basalt rock.
This soil is well drained. Permeability is estimated as medium, runoff is
medium, and erosion hazard is moderate. Effective rooting depth includes
the entire profile under natural vegetation.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This community is in good to high good condition with
_ no evidence of abuse by livestock and only moderate abuse by deer. Sheep
_ are trailed through this area, but use is light, and only a minor amount of
Cercocarpus ledifolius is available. Deer have highlined the C. ledifolius
stand which was tall enough that very little damage resulted. This stand is
relatively even-aged, and young plants are few. Lack of regeneration is not
believed to be a result of heavy deer use but of lack of openings in an
almost closed community.
Habitat value. — Although acreage is relatively small, its contiguous oc-
currence with other Cercocarpus ledifolius ecosystems in the winter-
' summer range transition zone, its potential production of highly preferred
_ deer browse, and its value as cover make it an important habitat.
Habitat manipulation. — The same comments concerning manipulation
_ of the Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idahoensis-Agropyron spicatum eco-
_ system apply to this one.
Purshia tridentata /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This eocsystem occurs on the deer’s transition range between
the summer and winter ranges. It is characterized by gentle to rolling
benchland which rims a portion of the Silver Lake Valley. Slopes range
from 0 to 5 percent.
Vegetation. — It is characterized by a dominant aspect of Purshia
tridentata with Artemisia tridentata and A. arbuscula commonly occurring
throughout the stand. Other shrub species occurring consistently are
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus and C. nauseosus.
There is an occasional Juniperus occidentalis and Cercocarpus ledifolius
occurring in this ecosystem; however, composition, basal area, and crown
cover data indicate that these species are of minor importance.
The strong dominant in the grass layer is Festuca idahoensis. Poa
sandbergii, Stipa thurberiana, Sitanion hystrix, and Agropyron spicatum
are other grasses which occur consistently and prominently.
Antennaria rosea, Erigeron sp., Astragalus purshii, and Arabis sp. are
forbs which occur consistently throughout the stand. Others which are
common but irregular are Eriophyllum lanatum and Crepis sp.
Soil. — This is a well-drained, moderately deep loam. The A horizon |
averages 6 inches in depth and is slightly acid. The B1 is a stony clay loam,
the B2 is a stony clay, and both are slightly acid. Stones in the solum —
average 35 percent by volume, and the zone of root concentration is 0 to
12 inches. Inclusion of approximately 10 percent of the shallow soil under
the Purshia tridentata-Artemisia arbuscula/Stipa thurberiana ecosystem
occurs here.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This is the relatively narrow transition belt between the
high desert steppe and the forest. Here variability is high, and it might
seem that successful ecosystem definition would be unreasonable. How-
ever, in unraveling vegetation, soils, and sites, there seems to be enough
uniformity to justify the effort, especially since this is a very critical area
for deer management.
This ecosystem has a long history of both heavy livestock use and mod-
erately heavy to heavy deer use. Livestock use has been primarily from
late spring through summer and deer use during the late fall, winter, and
64
ic
Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem!
Number of plots: 3 Condition class: fair to good
Understory
Site and vegetation composition Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 37 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 1 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 43 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 17 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 2 percent surface area -- 100
Purshia tridentata, 3 percent crown cover Ze 100
Artemisia tridentata 13 100
Artemisia arbuscula 5) 100
Chrysothamnus nauseosus 4 100
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 4 100
Festuca idahoensis 13 100
Poa sandbergii "| 100
Stipa thurberiana 6 100
-Sitanion hystrix 4 100
_Agropyron spicatum 2 100
Carex rossii 9 100
_Koeleria cristata m3) 66
Melica bulbosa A 66
Stipa occidentalis 2, 66
Bromus tectorum? 5 100
Antennaria rosea 6 100
Erigeron sp. A 100
Arabis sp. a2 100
Astragalus purshii a 100
Crepis sp. sll 66
Eriophyllum lanatum al 66
Penstemon sp. ral 33
Achillea millefolium eal 33
Eriogonum sp. | 33
Lomatium triternatum i! 33
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent Percent
square feet peracre crown cover frequency
Juniperus occidentalis x 66 r
Cercocarpus ledifolius ff 66 A
Annual.
| 65
spring periods. The combination of these uses has resulted in Purshia
tridentata’s exhibiting a sculptured crown. Also the native grasses have
been overused to the point where Bromus tectorum composition has
climbed to 5 percent, a figure higher than those of 67 percent of the
native grasses present.
In analyzing the use history and composition, it seems reasonable to
conclude that this ecosystem is in a successional stage. Enough soil does
not appear to have been lost through erosion to change the potential of
the site.
Habitat value. — The value of this ecosystem is high due to both its
position in a critical deer range and its productivity for deer forage. Avail-
able in this one ecosystem is a variety of four usable shrub species. Two of
these species are very desirable (Purshia tridentata and Artemisia
arbuscula), and two provide variety during times of plenty and emergency
forage when times are hard (A. tridentata and C. viscidiflorus). A.
arbuscula is particularly valuable during the spring period after it puts out
new leaders.
There are two grass species which provide excellent forage during the
fall and spring periods and even some green regrowth during the winter
periods when snow cover is lacking (Poa sandbergii and Bromus
tectorum).
Habitat manipulation. — This and other ecosystems in the deer’s transi-
tion range should be given high priority for deer management when ma-
nipulation becomes necessary. Any livestock use or rehabilitation plans
should hold to the objective of providing a combination of shrub and
herbaceous forage. Purshia tridentata and Artemisia arbuscula could both |
be reseeded since it is suspected that this ecosystem as well as P.
tridentata-A. arbuscula/Stipa thurberiana have specific soil microsites for
each species. Site preparation will probably be necessary in many situa-
tions before seeding. It may be more reasonable to encourage Bromus
tectorum and Poa sandbergii or similar responsive grass species for this sit-
uation rather than Festuca idahoensis, S. thurberiana, and Agropyron
cristatum, etc. The latter commonly produce forage later in the spring
than deer prefer and/or have more old standing litter hiding the fresh
growth than deer are willing to chew through. This litter can be dealt with
in sites where management is for grass only by manipulation with live-
stock; however, on shrub ranges it becomes very difficult to use livestock
(although not unreasonable in some situations) where both they and deer
prefer the same shrub species.
Unless fire or some other disaster disturbs this ecosystem, it may be
necessary to use cattle to remove standing litter from perennial grasses in
the spring before new growth begins on shrub species. Then any shrub
forage used by cattle will be last year’s (that which deer did not use during
the preceding winter), and new growth will be reserved for next winter’s
needs. Soil compaction must be watched carefully as this soil is_
susceptible.
66
Purshia tridentata-
Artemisia arbuscula/
Stipa thurberiana
Ecosystem
This ecosystem occurs on the upper portion of the deer’s winter range
near the lower edge of the pine forest. Slope is less than 5 percent. The soil
is shallow, stony, and heavy and only moderately well drained.
Purshia tridentata and Artemisia arbuscula are strong shrub dominants
with Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus and C. nauseosus occurring as minor
components, increasing in importance with a reduction in condition class.
The dominant grass is Stipa thurberiana with Sitanion hystrix and Poa
sandbergii being major competitors. Other grasses include Koeleria
cristata, Agropyron spicatum, and Bromus tectorum. The dominant forb
is Antennaria rosea. Other important forbs are Astragalus sp., Erigeron sp.,
and Lomatium triternatum. This vegetation seems to be only in fair condi-
tion due to a long history of heavy use by livestock.
Normally in central Oregon, Purshia tridentata and Artemisia arbuscula
are strange companions since P. tridentata requires a considerably deeper
and better drained soil than does A. arbuscula. Here they grow together in
apparent harmony. Preliminary tests indicate that these two species are
growing on two distinct microsites. A. arbuscula occurs on those which
have a layer restrictive to roots at approximately 15 to 20 inches, and P.
tridentata occurs on sites where this restrictive layer has failed to form.
Thus, what appears to be an A. arbuscula stand with P. tridentata random-
ly scattered throughout may rather be a vegetation mosaic where the spe-
cles are growing on distinctly different soil sites. The major cementing
agent which seems to be restricting drainage and root penetration has been
identified as silica.
This ecosystem is an important component of the deer’s transition
range and during most years provides valuable grass regrowth in the fall
and grass regrowth and shrub forage in both the winter and spring periods.
67
arbus-
. Note the A.
tem
ipa thurberiana ecosys
Purshia tridentata-Artemisia arbuscula/S t
terspaces.
mn
the
cula plants in
$$$
68
Artemisia tridentata-
Purshia tridentata /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This is a large ecosystem situated in the mule deer’s summer-
winter range transition belt just below the Pinus ponderosa and Cerco-
carpus ledifolius forest edges at an elevation range from 4,500 to 4,700
feet. During the greater number of years, this ecosystem provides winter
habitat for the deer. Slopes range from level benches to those of 15 per-
cent and exposures may be east, north, or west.
Vegetation. — It is characterized by an aspect of Artemisia tridentata
» peppered with Purshia tridentata in a crown cover ratio of approximately
-2 to 1. There is a small but consistent amount of Chrysothamnus
' viscidiflorus throughout the stand, and C. nauseosus and Tetradymia
canescens occur only sporadically.
Perennial grasses are dominated by Festuca idahoensis and Sitanion
hystrix, with the annual Bromus tectorum having as high a place in com-
position as either perennial. All three grasses occur with 100-percent fre-
quency. Other important perennials in the grass layer which occur con-
sistently are Carex rossii, Stipa occidentalis, and Agropyron spicatum.
Forbs are of relatively minor importance, occurring with less than
1-percent composition in total. The most consistently occurring perennials
are Lupinus sp. and Astragalus sp.
Soil. — The soil is a deep, well-drained sandy loam derived primarily
from pumice. Fine pumice gravels are common in the upper 2 feet, and
pumice gravels and stones up to 8 centimeters in diameter are common
from 21 inches to 4 feet. There is some colluvium in the profile, with
basalt gravels and stones common in the upper 12 inches.
The A horizon has a sandy loam texture, a pH of 6.0 to 6.4, and aver-
ages 12 inches in depth. The AC horizon is also a sandy loam, has a pH of
6.4, and is 17 inches deep. The typical description is as follows:
All 0-3 inches. Gray brown (10 YR 5/2)*; dark reddish brown (5 YR
3/2) moist; sandy loam; moderate, medium platy structure; soft;
*In this profile colors will be dry unless otherwise noted.
69
OO ee Oe
Artemisia tridentata-Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem
Number of plots: 4 Condition class: low good
Understory
Site and vegetation composition Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Bare soil, 21 percent surface area -- 100
Rock, 1 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 61 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 12 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 5 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia tridentata, 12 percent crown cover 10 100
Purshia tridentata, 7 percent crown cover 4 100
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 1 100
Chrysothamnus nauseosus 5 25
Tetradymia canescens 5 25
Sitanion hystrix Da 100
Festuca idahoensis iby, 100
Carex rossii i 100
Stipa occidentalis 4 100
Agropyron spicatum 2 100
Poa sandbergii Z, 100
Stipa thurberiana 2 55)
Koeleria cristata 1 75
Bromus tectorum' 23 100
Astragalus sp. we 100
Lupinus sp. 2 100
Eriogonum sp. a | 30
Chaenactis douglasii uk 50
Collinsia parviflora’ 1 100
Cryptantha ambigua' na 100
Epilobium minutum' F: 100
Polygonum douglasii' YF 75
T = trace.
‘Annuals.
70
nonsticky; nonplastic; abundant very fine and fine roots; slightly
acid reaction (pH 6.0); clear, sharp boundary.
Al2 3-12 inches. Dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/38) moist; sandy loam;
weak, medium subangular blocky structure; very friable; non-
sticky, nonplastic; common fine and medium roots; abundant fine
gravels of pumice and few of basalt; slightly acid reaction (pH
6.4); clear gradual boundary.
AC11 12-21 inches. Light brown (7.5 YR 6/4); dark reddish brown (5
YR 3/4) moist; sandy loam; weak, medium, subangular blocky
structure; very friable; nonsticky, nonplastic; common fine and
medium roots; common fine to medium pumice gravels; very
slightly acid reaction (pH 6.4); clear gradual boundary.
AC12 21-29 inches. Light brown (7.5 YR 6/4); yellowish red (5 YR 4/6)
moist; sandy loam; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure;
very friable; nonsticky, nonplastic; common fine and medium
roots; common fine to medium pumice gravels; very slightly acid
reaction (pH 6.4); clear gradual boundary.
C1 29-39 inches. Pink (5 YR 7/4); yellowish red (5 YR 4/6) moist;
sandy loam; weak, medium subangular blocky, breaking to single
grain structure; very friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; common fine
roots; common medium to large pumice gravels to 6 cm. in
diameter; very slightly acid reaction (pH 6.4); clear gradual
boundary.
C2 39-45+ inches. Yellowish red (5 YR 4/6) moist; sandy loam; hard;
nonsticky, nonplastic; common large pumice gravels and stones to
8 cm. in diameter; very slightly acid reaction (pH 6.4).
Discussion
Ecosystem. — The composition relationship among species is primarily
a result of heavy past use by both livestock and deer. We might expect
Purshia tridentata to have a higher composition figure and Artemisia tri-
dentata a lower one under better conditions or less past use, since P.
tridentata is highly preferred for forage over A. tridentata. The high fig-
ures for Bromus tectorum and Sitanion hystrix as compared with Festuca
idahoensis and Agropyron spicatum also indicate a history of past overuse
by foraging animals. Here, too, reverse trends in composition might be ex-
pected under better use management. Also the climate and soil indicate
that this ecosystem has a higher potential for P. tridentata, F. idahoensis,
and A. spicatum than is indicated by present composition figures.
This ecosystem grades into an ecotonal mixture of Juniperus occiden-
talis, Cercocarpus ledifolius, and Pinus ponderosa with a varying but con-
tinual mixture of present shrubs under a more favorable moisture regime,
but it grades out of P. tridentata and into a dominant stand of A.
tridentata with a decrease of moisture.
Habitat value. — Value is considered high, primarily due to available
shrub forage during the winter period. This ecosystem is positioned in
71
0 OO
BES: ee Be
Ground vegetation of the A. tridentata-P. tridentata/F. idahoensis ecosystem. Note the
disturbed appearance of the ground surface and the high incidence of broken and
trampled shrub stems.
what is generally considered the “‘transition range,” i.e., the spring-fall
range. However, in the past 12 years, this area has been accessible for the
greater part of most winters and during that time has never been unavail-
able during an entire winter.
An added value provided by this ecosystem is the cover protection
from winter winds. Shrubs are tall enough to provide considerable wind
protection during daily feeding forays and provide adequately protected
day beds for rest except during severe storms.
Habitat manipulation. — Since this, along with adjacent transition and
winter range ecosystems, provides highly critical forage and cover for deer,
any deliberate vegetation manipulation should be based on plans carefully
developed by both land and game management agencies.
Studies in progress indicate that rehabilitation of the shrub stand
72
_ General view of the Artemisia tridentata-Purshia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem.
should favor Purshia tridentata. A study of P. tridentata seeded after a
burn, being conducted in this immediate area (Dealy 1970), found that
_ after 2 years of treatment the shrub response was greater from browsing
| protection than from elimination of vegetation competition. Any shrub
| rehabilitation project may need site preparation and should provide some
_ type of protection from animal use for from 3 to 5 years. This protection
could be accomplished either physically by fencing or by a large enough
acreage of rehabilitation to absorb the intense use with minimal damage.
Protective fencing costs per acre are not unreasonable when considering
1,000-acre blocks or larger.
Rehabilitation after wildfire is difficult primarily due to a limited avail-
ability of Purshia tridentata seed on short notice. In this case it would be
desirable to seed with a mixture of seed from any available species which
are suitable for the area and for deer forage.
| 13
EEE EES EE OR PT
Artemisia tridentata /
Stipa occidentalis-
Lathyrus
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — This ecosystem is characterized by a narrow range in elevation
from 6,500 to 7,000 feet and by gentle slopes of 5 percent or less. It in-
cludes portions of the upper slopes of Winter Ridge and aspects ranging
generally from south through west. Microrelief is broken only by inter-
mittent waterways which are shallow, narrow, and apparently the result of
spring melt from typically heavy winter snowpacks.
Vegetation. — Pinus contorta occurs erratically in patches throughout
this community. Pinus ponderosa was not recorded on or near any sample
plots but occurs as rare, overmature individuals which are significant to
the ecological interpretation of the community.
Artemisia tridentata is the dominant shrub with 57-percent composi-
tion and 100-percent frequency of occurrence. All other shrubs are minor
in importance and occurrence. They include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus,
Symphoricarpos albus, Eriogonum microthecum, and Ribes cereum.
The grass and sedge component (19-percent composition) is the small-
est sampled with the exception of the Pinus ponderosa/Arctostaphylos
patula/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem. Stipa occidentalis is dominant
(6-percent compositim ) ad Carex rossii is a close second (5 percent).
Other important grasses include Poa nervosa, Sitanion hystrix, Bromus
carinatus, and Melica bulbosa.
Perennial forbs are represented by a greater number of species here
than in any other community described. They also comprise a larger part
of the composition (16 percent) than in any community except the
Artemisia arbuscula/Danthonia unispicata. Lathyrus sp., Achillea mille-
folium, and Senecio sp. are most prominent. Annuals make up 40 percent
of the total forb component. Those most commonly found are Collinsia
parviflora, Linanthus harknessii, Epilobium minutum, and Poly-
gonum douglasii.
Soil. — The soil is a moderately deep, well-drained loam over a
residuum of weathered basalt. Depth of the solum averages over 30 inches.
Surface area of bare soil and area of surface stone average 25 and 3 per-
74
A tall, dense stand of Artemisia tridentata indicates high moisture in the A. tridentata/
Stipa occidentalis-Lathyrus ecosystem.
A. tridentata/S. occidentalis-Lathyrus ecosystem showing grass stand in shrub inter-
spaces. Note young A. tridentata in openings.
- .
<> —f
f
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Artemisia tridentata/Stipa
occidentalis-Lathyrus ecosystem!
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: fair
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
Bare soil, 25 percent surface area
Rock, 3 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 69 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, trace of surface area - 60
Total vegetation, 3 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia tridentata, 32 percent crown cover S| 100
Eriogonum microthecum dh 60
Ribes cereum jh 40
Symphoricarpos albus Le 40
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Aik 20
100
Carex rossii 100
Stipa occidentalis 6
S
Poa nervosa 3 100
2
2
it
Sitanion hystrix 100 |
Bromus carinatus 80 |
Melica bulbosa 80
Agropyron sp. o- 20
Lathyrus sp. D 100
Achillea millefolium 3 100
Senecio sp. 2 100
Viola purpurea 1 100
Agoseris sp. ik 80
Delphinium sp. 1 80
Hydrophyllum capitatum 1 80 |
Trifolium sp. 1 20 |
Phacelia hastata a 100 |
Arabis sp. ok 60
Thalictrum sp. | 60
z
(— Continued)
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: fair
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
-------- Percent --------
Brodiaea sp. “i 40
Castilleja sp. | 40
Geranium sp. BA 40
Hieracium cynoglossoides l 40
Eriophyllum lanatum mi 20
Fragaria virginiana Jl 20
Lomatium sp. mil 20
Lupinus sp. al 20
Microsteris gracilis ig 20
_ Potentilla sp. “a 20
Ranunculus sp. ll 20
Lewisia rediviva T 20
Collinsia parviflora’ 3 100
Linanthus harknessii” i 100
Epilobium minutum? il 100
Polygonum douglasii” 1 100
Cryptantha ambigua’ 1 60
Collomia grandiflora’ 1 60
Navarretia tagetina’ 2, 60
Galium sp.’ 2 40
T = trace.
' Averages for trees are:
Basal area in Percent
square feet Percent crown
per acre frequency cover
Pinus contorta T 40 A
* Annuals.
at
cent, respectively. Stone in the soil averages 70 percent of the volume.
Topography is gently sloping. Mean annual precipitation is over 20 inches
with two-thirds falling as snow and rain during the winter and the rest as
rain in the fall and spring except for approximately 5 percent which falls
during the 3 summer months. A representative profile is:
Al 0-3 inches. Brown (10 YR 5/8) dry; dark brown (10 YR 4/8)
moist; loam; weak, fine granular structure; very friable; slightly
sticky, slightly plastic; many very fine, fine, and medium roots;
slightly acid reaction (pH 6.0); many stones and boulders (70 per-
cent of horizon volume); clear, smooth boundary. (2 to 4 inches
thick.)
A3 3-14 inches. Brown (10 YR 5/8) dry, dark brown (10 YR 4/3)
moist; loam; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure; very friable;
slightly sticky, slightly plastic; many fine and medium roots; medi-
um acid reaction (pH 5.8); many stones and boulders (70 percent
of horizon volume); clear, wavy boundary. (8 to 14 inches thick.)
Bl 14-20 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 4/4) moist; clay loam; moder-
ate, medium subangular blocky structure; friable; sticky and
plastic; few fine and common medium roots; medium acid reac-
tion (pH 5.8); many stones and boulders (70 percent of horizon
volume); clear smooth boundary. (5 to 8 inches thick.)
B2 20-30 inches +. Dark brown (7.5 YR 4/4) moist; clay loam; strong,
medium subangular blocky structure; firm; sticky and plastic; few
fine, common medium roots; medium acid reaction (pH 5.8);
many stones and boulders (70 percent of horizon volume).
Discussion
Ecosystem. — It is fairly obvious that this is a successional stage of an
ecosystem similar to, if not the same as, that illustrated by the Pinus
ponderosa/Artemisia tridentata/Bromus carinatus community. It occurs in
the same general elevation range, has the same slope aspects, and has simi-
lar soils. It also exhibits remnants of a Pinus ponderosa stand in the form
of occasional large, old individual trees still growing. In addition, there are
scattered stands of Pinus contorta, a subordinate species in the P.
ponderosa/A. tridentata/B. carinatus ecosystem. Charred tree remnants
suggest that this seral stage is a result of fire.
In comparing the two communities with respect to composition rela-
tionships between species and the incidence of common occurrence of
species, we find that in this seral shrub community all tree species except
Abies concolor are present which are present in the P. ponderosa com-
munity. Likewise, all shrubs are present, most grasses are present, and the
major forbs are present, particularly Lathyrus sp. and Achillea mille-
folium. Artemisia tridentata is easily the dominant shrub in both com-
munities. Perennial grass-types dominant here are Stipa occidentalis and
78
Carex rossii instead of Bromus carinatus and Poa nervosa, the two princi-
pal species in the pine ecosystem.
When a tree community of 53-percent crown cover is reduced by fire
to bare soil on a southwesterly exposure, insolation becomes a critical fac-
tor in changing the microsite. It, in combination with a lack of seed
source, reduces to remote, the possibility of a reasonably fast recovery to
a conifer stand. Apparently Artemisia tridentata seed sources survived suf-
ficiently to allow a domination of the site by this species. Since a Pinus
ponderosa seed source is lacking, and the site is totally occupied by suc-
cessional vegetation, it appears that unless the site is artificially manipula-
ted the Artemisia tridentata/Stipa occidentalis-Lathyrus community will
remain dominant for some time. The scattered stand of P. contorta sug-
gests that it will, in time, achieve dominance in the ultimate succession to
P. ponderosa and Abies concolor.
Habitat value. — Value of this habitat is medium because it is limited to
the upper Winter Ridge area and is small (less than 5,000 acres) in relation
to the total study area. Its value lies principally in the availability of
abundant perennial forbs during the late spring and early to middle sum-
mer. The significance of this forb forage supply is that this community has
16 percent of its vegetal composition in perennial forbs, whereas the Pinus
_ ponderosa/Artemisia tridentata/Bromus carinatus ecosystem has only 5
percent.
Habitat manipulation. — Since this ecosystem is part of the mule deer’s
summer range that in total seems to supply adequate amounts of forage
during most years, it should be considered primarily for timber produc-
tion and secondarily for game production. The convenient rehabilitation
of this ecosystem to a Pinus ponderosa stand is hampered by the dense
and vigorous Artemisia tridentata which occupies the site. It is further
hampered by the problem of exposure and severe insolation of a south-
and west-facing slope devoid of even a thin tree canopy. Any attempt to
plant pine will have to be preceded by at least a partial kill of A. triden-
tata, utilizing shrub shade for protection during establishment. A total kill
of A. tridentata may produce such a severe site that planted tree seedlings
cannot survive. Whether any of the species of legumes present has
nitrogen-fixing capabilities is not known. However, it is probable that
among Lupinus sp., Trifolium sp., and Lathyrus sp. one or more have pro-
vided this soil with a supplement of nitrogen which should benefit any
conifer planting.
fis
Artemisia arbuscula /
Festuca idahoensis
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site.— This community is one of three dominated by Artemisia
arbuscula. All occur on rocky openings from the transition range through-
out all but the highest parts of the summer range, from elevations of
4,700 to 6,500 feet. These openings vary in size from approximately 5
acres to extended plains over 1 mile across.
Slopes are moderate, seldom exceeding 5 percent. Slope aspects are
generally westerly but occasionally northerly, particularly in the transition
range.
Vegetation. — Three communities that commonly occur in varying
combinations with the one being described here are (1) Artemisia
arbuscula/Koeleria cristata, (2) A. arbuscula/Danthonia unispicata, which
will be discussed later, and (8) Cercocarpus ledifolius/Festuca idaho-
ensis-Agropyron spicatum, which has been described. The latter com-
monly occurs around scab flat edges, between A. arbuscula and conifer
types. The first two and the one under discussion here are treeless com-
munities characterized by a low-growing shrub and an understory of
mixed herbaceous species. The only shrub recorded in any of the three is
A. arbuscula. In this ecosystem it averages 8 inches in height and 26 per-
cent of the composition.
There are fewer forbs here than in any other ecosystem sampled except
the two Cercocarpus ledifolius ecosystems previously described.
Lomatium triternatum is the most widely distributed perennial
(86-percent frequency), and Eriophyllum lanatum has the largest share of
the composition (3 percent). Annual forbs, as a group, occur more fre-
quently than perennials.
Soil. — This is a stony loam soil about 18 inches deep. Drainage, al-
though not good, is less restricted than in the other Artemisia arbuscula
ecosystems.
The A horizon is 6 to 7 inches deep, is a loam, and has a pH of 6.5. The
B horizon is 12 to 15 inches, is a clay, and has a pH of 7.0. Root con-
80
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca
idahoensis ecosystem
Number of plots: 7 Condition class: good
Understory
composition
Site and vegetation Frequency
--- eee Percent --------
Bare soil, 18 percent surface area -- 100
’ Rock, 38 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 37 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 2 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 5 percent surface area 100
Artemisia arbuscula, 14 percent crown cover 26 100
Festuca idahoensis 32 100
. Danthonia unispicata 16 100
| Poa sandbergii aks 100
! Sitanion hystrix 4 100
. Koeleria cristata 2 86
Eriophyllum lanatum 3 57
Arenaria congesta aS) 29
Lomatium triternatum 5 86
Erigeron bloomeri A 43
Agoseris sp. 9 43
Microsteris gracilis 1) 29
Arabis sp. al 14
Calochortus macrocarpus al 14
Geum ciliatum “al 14
Lomatium nudicaule ua 14
Penstemon sp. a 14
Polygonum douglasii' A 86
Collinsia parviflora' -) 71
Gayophytum nuttallii! oy 29
Navarretia tagetina' 2 100
Linanthus harknessii' “if 86
Epilobium minutum! ll 43
Plagiobothrys hispidus' Fi 29
SR
‘Annuals.
81
centration is in the upper 6 inches. Soil surface coverage by stones ranges
from 26 to 75 percent, averaging 38 percent, and volume of stone in the
soil mantle ranges from 37 to 63 percent with an average of 50 percent.
There is little obvious difference between this soil and the soil under
the Artemisia arbuscula/Koeleria cristata ecosystem. Two differences and
probably two reasons why this soil supports Festuca idahoensis while the
other doesn’t are the typically deeper A horizon (6 inches instead of 4)
and less restrictive B horizon. The A. arbuscula/Danthonia unispicata eco-
system has no F. idahoensis, but it does have an A horizon depth and B
horizon texture equal to this ecosystem. However, D. unispicatum re-
places F. idahoensis in areas of higher moisture.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — The ecosystems which include the rocky or “‘scab”’ flat
Openings create an interesting and complex situation. It is common to
have more than one Artemisia arbuscula community on a single scab flat.
In fact, it is not uncommon to find A. arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis, A.
arbuscula/Koeleria cristata, and A. arbuscula/Danthonia unispicata com-
munities all on the same scab flat. Each appears to be an edaphic com-
munity. Soil-site factors typical of these scab flat ecosystems are shown
below:
Depth to
A-horizon restrictive B-horizon Stoniness
Ecosystem depth layer texture in soil Drainage
(Inches) (Inches) (Percent)
Artemisia arbuscula/ Moderately
Festuca idahoensis 6 18 Clay loam 50 well drained
A. arbuscula/ Imperfectly
Danthonia unispicata il 18 Clay loam 60 or somewhat
poorly drained
A. arbuscula/ Imperfectly
Koeleria cristata 4 15 Clay 9) or somewhat
poorly drained
The most significant difference between the soil that supports Festuca
idahoensis and the one supporting Danthonia unispicata appears to be in
their drainage characteristics. D. unispicata generally grows in the lower
parts of the flats where surface runoff is channeled or where it collects to
form temporary pools. The very low percentage of solum stones, the clay,
and the shallow A horizon under Koeleria cristata combine to restrict
both water and root penetration.
82
A. arbuscula appears hedged from animal use in the A. arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis
ecosystem.
Note the grass-shrub competition in the A. arbuscula/F. idahoensis ecosystem.
4M
bi
coe
4
ae &
ey ge
4s
de
FT MLE,
PaGaL 3 Uy
ae aye ah
Habitat value. — Habitat value of all the Artemisia arbuscula commun-
ities is estimated to be high. There is no hiding cover so value is primarily
for food. Value for food is high during the spring and early summer where
these habitats extend into summer range, because of a good selection of
forbs and grasses. Where the ecosystems occur in the transition area be-
tween summer and winter range, the food value is derived from A.
arbuscula, as well as forbs and grasses. A. arbuscula is used heavily in cen-
tral Oregon during the spring as soon as leader growth is sufficient to pro-
vide tender forage — about 1 to 2 inches long. New grass is used exten-
sively during late winter and early spring but is relegated to second place
when A. arbuscula becomes available. By the time deer move up into the
summer range many forbs are available, as well as new growth on most
shrubs, so that A. arbuscula is less important.
A high percentage of scab flat acreage in the Silver Lake mule deer’s
summer range is also the summer range for a small population of prong-
horns (Antilocapra americana). They inhabit A. arbuscula openings as far
as 17 miles inside the lower edge of the Pinus ponderosa zone measured
from the closest point of access from the high desert.
Habitat manipulation. — The potential for total forage production on
these sites is relatively low due to their rockiness and shallow soil both of
which drastically reduce the soil moisture holding capacity and eliminate
site preparation as a possibility. Also, soil compaction is a potential hazard
because of the combination of soil texture and late spring moisture. These
ecosystems should be maintained with as little manmade disturbance as
possible, recognizing that there will be a combination of livestock, mule
deer, and pronghorn use on these each year. Livestock use should be de-
layed until the soil is dry enough to prevent significant compaction. Where
acreages of scab flats are small in comparison with higher producing coni-
fer types, the flats may suffer abuse.
84
Artemisia arbuscula /
Danthonia unispicata
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — Site characteristics for this community are described under the
Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis unit.
Vegetation. — Artemisia arbuscula averages 13 percent of the composi-
tion here, half as much as in the preceding unit.
Five grasses occur in this community, two of which make up more than
half the composition, and three of which occur frequently but in small
amounts. Danthonia unispicata is dominant with 28-percent composition
and 100-percent frequency, and Poa sandbergii is a close second with
23-percent composition and 100-percent frequency. Site conditions vary
so that occasionally these two species do change places with each other in
dominance. Sitanion hystrix, Koeleria cristata, and Stipa thurberiana com-
plete the list of grasses.
Perennial forbs account for a much larger part of the composition here
(25 percent) than in any other community sampled. Antennaria
dimorpha, with 17 percent, exceeds all other forbs combined. Erigeron
bloomeri, Lomatium triternatum, L. nudicaule, and Sedum stenopetalum
are widely distributed. Polimonium micranthum and Gayophytum
lanatum are the most common annuals.
Soils. — This is a poorly drained, shallow, stony loam with 36 percent
of the surface covered by rock and 27 percent bare. The solum contains
approximately 60-percent stone by volume. Root concentration is in the
upper 7 inches with roots common to 11 inches. Solum development is in
mixed aeolian and illuvial material derived primarily from basalt. A repre-
sentative profile is:
All 0-3 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; pinkish gray (7.5 YR
6/2) dry; loam; strong fine platy structure, slightly hard; slightly
sticky and slightly plastic; abundant very fine and fine roots; medi-
um acid reaction (pH 6.0); angular cobbles 60 percent of the
volume; clear, smooth boundary.
85
CE ~—SOSEE __
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Artemisia arbuscula/Danthonia
unispicata ecosystem
Number of plots: 5 Condition class: fair
Understory
Site and vegetation composition | Frequency
-~------- Percent - -------
Bare soil, 27 percent surface area -- : | Oe
Rock, 86 percent surface area -- 100
Litter, 33 percent surface area -- 100
Moss, 0.5 percent surface area -- 100
Total vegetation, 3.5 percent surface area -- 100
Artemisia arbuscula, 8 percent crown cover 13 100
Danthonia unispicata 28 100
Poa sandbergii 23 100
Sitanion hystrix 4 100
Koeleria cristata 2 80
Stipa thurberiana 1 60
Antennaria dimorpha 17 100
Microsteris gracilis 3 60 |
Erigeron bloomeri 1 100 |
Lomatium triternatum 1 100
Lomatium nudicaule i) 80
Agoseris sp. 8 60
Sedum stenopetalum 3 80
Castilleja sp. ak 60
Achillea millefolium Ba | 20
Allium sp. mal 20
Astragalus sp. a | 20
Geum ciliatum a 20
Trifolium sp. m: 20
Polemonium micranthum' 2 100
Gayophytum lanatum' 1 100
Linanthus harknessii' a 60
Polygonum douglasii' A 80
Navarretia tagetina’ 1 40
Madia glomerata' 1 20
' Annuals.
86
icata
These stony, shallow soil eco-
. unispica
ta ecosystem
lca
isp
i HES
ANE
Stay x
BN cn
fins
la un
tes available for establishment in the A. arbuscula/D
icrosi
buscula/Danthon
la ar
IS
2
cs
=
nm
a
o
>
mS
®
>
2)
o
D
Loe!
ao)
5
a
“Sb
os
Ban
o
a
n
=|
~
my
Note the limited m
ecosystem.
Artem
A12_— 3-7 inches. Dark brown(7.5 YR 3/2) moist; loam; strong, medium;
platy structure; friable; slightly sticky, slightly plastic; abundant
very fine and fine roots, and common medium roots; medium acid
reaction (pH 6.0); angular cobbles 60 percent of the volume; clear,
wavy boundary.
B 7-15 inches. Dark brown (7.5 YR 3/2) moist; clay loam; moderate
fine subangular blocky structure; friable; sticky, plastic; common
fine and medium roots; medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); angular
cobbles 60 percent of the volume.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — See discussion under Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca
idahoensis community.
Habitat value.— This ecosystem is of moderate value for mule deer
habitat. It is relatively small in acreage, has no hiding cover, and has
considerably less Artemisia arbuscula, a valuable spring food for deer, than
other A. arbuscula communities but has a high composition of forbs
which provide valuable spring and early summer forage.
Habitat manipulation. — See discussion under Artemisia arbuscula/
Festuca idahoensis community.
88
Artemisia arbuscula /
Koeleria cristata
Ecosystem
Physical Description
Site. — Site characteristics for this community are described under the
Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis unit.
Vegetation. — The shrub component, composed entirely of Artemisia
arbuscula (59-percent composition), is more than twice as large as either
of the two A. arbuscula units previously described and exceeds all other
units sampled. The mature plants average 8.5 inches in height.
On the other hand, the grass component is less than half as large
(25-percent composition) as it is in the other two Artemisia arbuscula
units. Poa sandbergii is dominant (138 percent), and Koeleria cristata (7
percent) and Sitanion hystrix (5 percent) follow.
Perennial forbs are a smaller part of the composition (6 percent) than
annuals (9 percent). Lomatium triternatum, Antennaria dimorpha, and
Erigeron bloomeri account for most of the perennial composition.
Polygonum douglasii, Collomia tenella, and Navarretia tagetina are
prominent annuals. Since only two plots were sampled for this ecosystem,
composition and frequency averages have limited reliability.
Soil. — The soil is a poorly drained, shallow heavy loam or clay loam.
Stone on the soil surface averages 34 percent and varies from 5 to 95 per-
cent; stone in the soil averages 5 percent of the volume. Soil development
is in basalt residuum with the probable influence of localized loess
deposits. It occurs on level to gently sloping topography. A representative
profile is:
All 0-1 inch. Loam; moderate fine platy structure; friable; slightly
sticky and slightly plastic; abundant very fine and fine roots and
common medium roots; slightly acid (pH 6.2); cobbles 5 percent
of the solum; clear, smooth boundary.
Al2 1-4 inches. Clay loam; moderate medium platy structure; friable;
sticky and plastic; abundant very fine and fine roots and common
medium roots; slightly acid (pH 6.2); cobbles 5 percent of the
solum; clear, smooth boundary.
89
CO) OO
Average vegetation-site characteristics of the Artemisia arbuscula/Koeleria
cristata ecosystem
Number of plots: 2
Site and vegetation
Bare soil, 15 percent surface area
Rock, 34 percent surface area
Litter, 48 percent surface area
Moss, 1 percent surface area
Total vegetation, 2 percent surface area
Artemisia arbuscula, 26 percent crown cover
Poa sandbergii
Koeleria cristata
Sitanion hystrix
Carex rossii
Juncus sp.
Antennaria dimorpha
Lomatium triternatum
Erigeron bloomeri
Achillea millefolium
Lomatium nudicaule
Agoseris sp.
Geum ciliatum
Trifolium sp.
Polygonum douglasii'
Collomia tenella’
Navarretia tagetina'
Madia glomerata'
Linanthus harknessii'
‘Annuals.
90
Condition class: fair
Understory
composition
Frequency
-
Sat
~
aaa
tata ecosystem is highly variable.
ia cris
Severe frost heave hampers the development of plants in the Artemisia arbuscula/
Mm
oS
eo
in)
Si
=
3
= :
S =
& ®
a) —
oe) N
= a
: S
. ®
= s
3
£ 2
~
2 3)
e) aS
_ x
a =
o a
a re)
+ x
5
ND
B 4-18 inches. Clay; strong, medium subangular blocky structure;
very sticky and very plastic; clay skins on ped surfaces, and clay
skins on stones; uncommon very fine, fine and medium roots;
medium acid reaction (pH 6.0); cobbles 10 percent of the solum;
clear, smooth boundary.
C 18-20+ inches. Weathered basalt fragments in a clay matrix; mildly
alkaline reaction (pH 7.5).
Permeability of this soil is estimated as slow and runoff, as slow to
medium. Erosion hazard is moderate. Extreme pedestaling of both grasses
and Artemisia arbuscula is evident in many areas. Frost crystals 3 inches
high have been observed, and A. arbuscula shrubs commonly have 4 to 6
inches of roots exposed.
Discussion
Ecosystem. — This is the third “scab flat’? ecosystem dominated by
Artemisia arbuscula. It should be noted that there is a significantly larger
percent composition of Poa sandbergii than Koeleria cristata. P. sandbergii
is a species that seems to be in a position between perennial and annual
grasses although it is actually a perennial. It begins growth early in the
spring before most other perennial grasses and then normally matures and
enters the summer with cured forage of no value to game and limited
value to livestock. Yearly production on an equal cover basis is less, and
varies to a greater degree, than species such as K. cristata or Sitanion
hystrix. Being in this position of a quasiannual, P. sandbergii is not con-
sidered on a par ecologically with the typical perennial bunchgrasses.
Therefore, even though its place in the composition indicates an apparent
dominance in the grass layer, it is not considered as such here.
This ecosystem is probably most typical of the flat, stony, shallow
soiled “‘scab flats’? of this area — not particularly in species composition,
but in the heavy soil and the prominence of P. sandbergii. Most scab flats
have been severely overused by cattle in this area; therefore this ecosystem
exhibits only one of many condition classes which may be encountered.
K. cristata may commonly be replaced by Sitanion hystrix, Stipa
thurberiana, or any codominant combination.
Habitat value. — The value of this ecosystem is high in combination
with other scab flat ecosystems. Value is further discussed in the
Artemisia arbuscula/Festuca idahoensis ecosystem.
Habitat manipulation. — As has been recommended for the other scab
flat ecosystems, no deliberate manipulation (other than reduction of live-
stock use) of these sites should be attempted. If there are any areas which
are large enough in acreage to be managed as separate game allotments
(possibly near Sycan Marsh and Murphy Windmill) for mule deer and the
pronghorn, then an elimination of livestock use would be an important
step towards developing a wide selection of high quality summer range
habitats for game.
92
Artemisia cana/
Muhlenbergia
richardsonis
Ecosystem
This ecosystem generally occurs as a ring surrounding seasonally
ponded areas, expanding and receding as the water line moves back and
forth with long-term changes in the moisture cycle.
Artemisia cana is the only shrub which occurs commonly. Trees and
shrubs occurring at the type edge or as inclusions are Salix sp., Populus
tremuloides, Pinus contorta, Artemisia arbuscula, and A. tridentata.
Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Eleocharis sp., and Juncus sp. form a fairly
heavy stand under Artemisia cana, with forbs very scarce. There is ex-
treme competition between livestock and deer for the few forbs which do
occur.
Acreage as well as game forage in this ecosystem is limited, and there-
fore the value is low. j
Artemisia cana commonly rings seasonally ponded meadows in the Silver Lake deer
range.
Canfield,
1941.
Literature Cited
RSH:
Application of the line interception method in sampling range
vegetation. J. Forest. 39: 388-394, illus.
Daubenmire, R.
1952.
1966.
1968.
Dealy, J.
1960.
Dyrness,
1960.
Forest vegetation of northern Idaho and adjacent Washington,
and its bearing on concepts of vegetation classification. Ecol.
Monogr. 22: 301-330, illus.
Vegetation: Identification of typal communities. Science 151:
291-298, illus.
and Jean B. Daubenmire.
Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
Wash. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 60; 104 p., illus. Pullman,
Wash.
Edward.
The densiometer for measurement of crown intercept above a
line transect. USDA Forest Serv. Pac. Northwest Forest &
Range Exp. Sta. Res. Note 199, 5 p., illus. Portland, Oreg.
. Survival and growth of bitterbrush on the Silver Lake deer win-
ter range in central Oregon. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Note
PNW-138, 5 p., illus. Pac. Northwest Forest & Range Exp. Sta.,
Portland, Oreg.
Of ti
Soil-vegetation relationships within the ponderosa pine type in
the central Oregon pumice region. Ph.D. thesis, Oreg. State
Univ., Corvallis. 217 p.
Fichter, Edson.
1962.
Some data on the natality of a pronghorn population and their
bearing on future research. Trans. Interstate Antelope Conf., p.
85-95. Bur. Land Manage., U.S. Dep. Interior, Reno, Nev.
94
Gabrielson, Ira N., and Stanley G. Jewett.
1940. Birds of Oregon. 650 p., illus. Oreg. State Coll., Corvallis.
Garrison, George A., Jon M. Skovlin, and Charles E. Poulton.
1967. Northwest range-plant symbols. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Pap.
PNW-40, 121 p. Pac. Northwest Forest & Range Exp. Sta., Port-
land, Oreg.
Hitchcock, C. Leo, Arthur Cronquist, Marion Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson.
1955 - 1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. 5 vols. Seattle:
Univ. Wash. Press.
Ingles, Lloyd G.
1965. Mammals of the Pacific States, California,Oregon, Washington.
506 p., illus. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Univ. Press.
Julander, Odell, W. Leslie Robinette, and Dale A. Jones.
1961. Relation of summer range condition to mule deer herd produc-
tivity. J. Wildlife Manage. 25(1): 54-60.
Knox, Ellis G.
1968. Soils. In Atlas of the Pacific Northwest. 4th ed., p. 43-46, illus.
Corvallis: Oreg. State Univ. Press.
Lemmon, Paul E.
1956. A spherical densiometer for estimating forest overstory density.
Forest Sci. 2: 314-320, illus.
McMinn, Robert G.
1952. The role of soil drought in the distribution of vegetation in the
northern Rocky Mountains. Ecology 33: 1-15, illus.
Poulton, Charles E., and E. W. Tisdale.
1961. A quantitative method for the description and classification of
range vegetation. J. Range Manage. 14: 138-21, illus.
Rummell, Robert S.
1951. Some effects of livestock grazing on ponderosa pine forest and
range in central Washington. Ecology 32: 594-607, illus.
Tansley, A. G., and T. F. Chipp (eds.).
1926. Aims and methods in the study of vegetation. 383 p. London:
Brit. Emp. Veg. Comm. & Crown Agents for Colonies.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1941. Climate and man. USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1,248 p.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
1951. Soil survey manual. U.S. Dep. Agr. Handb. 18, 503 p. Washing-
ton, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
95
emcee el
Appendix
Scientific Names, Authors, and Common Names
of Species Mentioned in the Text
SCIENTIFIC NAMES & AUTHOR
Mammals
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus Raf.
Antilocapra americana Ord
Birds
Bonasa umbellus sabini Douglas
Plants
Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.)
Lindl. ex Hildebr.
Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.
Achillea millefolium L.
Agoseris Raf.
Agropyron Gaertn.
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.
Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn.
& Sm.
Allium L.
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.
Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) B. & H.
Antennaria corymbosa E. Nels.
Antennaria dimorpha (Nutt.) T. & G.
Antennaria geyeri Gray
Antennaria rosea Greene
Apocynum androsaemifolium L.
Arabis L.
Arctostaphylos patula Greene
Arenaria congesta Nutt.
Arnica cordifolia Hook.
Artemisia L.
Artemisia arbuscula Nutt.
Artemisia cana Pursh
Artemisia tridentata Nutt.
96
COMMON NAME
mule deer
pronghorn
Oregon ruffed grouse
white fir
subalpine fir
yarrow
agoseris
wheatgrass
fairway crested wheatgrass
bluebunch wheatgrass
onion
Saskatoon serviceberry
common pearleverlasting
flattop pussytoes
low pussytoes
pinewoods pussytoes
rose pussytoes
spreading dogbane
rockcress
sreenleaf manzanita
ballhead sandwort
heartleaf arnica
sagebrush
low sagebrush
silver sagebrush
big sagebrush
SCIENTIFIC NAMES & AUTHOR
Aster L.
Astragalus L.
Astragalus purshii Dougl. ex Hook.
Astragalus stenophyllus T. & G.
Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.
Berberis repens Lindl.
Brodiaea Sm.
Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn.
Bromus tectorum L.
Calochortus macrocarpus Doug}.
Carex L.
Carex athrostachya Olney
Carex rossii Boott
Castilleja Mutis ex L.
Ceanothus prostratus Benth.
Ceanothus velutinus var. velutinus
Dougl. ex Hook.
Cercocarpus H. B. K.
Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.
Chaenactis douglasii (Hook.) H. & A.
Chimaphila umbellata (L.) Bart.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Pall.) Britt.
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.)
Nutt.
Cirsium Mill.
Collinsia parviflora Lindl.
Collomia grandiflora Doug. ex Lindl.
Collomia tenella Gray
Crepis L.
Cryptantha ambigua (Gray) Greene
Danthonia californica Boland.
Danthonia unispicata (Thurb.)
Munro ex Macoun
Delphinium L.
Deschampsia danthonioides (Trin.)
Munro ex Benth.
Deschampsia elongata (Hook.)
Munro ex Benth.
Eleocharis R. Br.
Epilobium minutum Lindl. ex Hook.
Erigeron L.
Erigeron bloomeri Gray
Eriogonum Michx.
Eriogonum microthecum Nutt.
Eriophyllum lanatum (Pursh) Forbes
OF.
COMMON NAME
aster
milkvetch loco
woollypod milkvetch
hangingpod milkvetch
arrowleaf balsamroot
low oregongrape
brodiea
California brome
cheatgrass brome
sagebrush mariposa
sedge
slenderbeak sedge
Ross sedge
paintbrush
squawcarpet
snowbrush
mountain-mahogany
curlleaf mountain-mahogany
falseyarrow
common pipsissewa
tall gray rabbitbrush
tall green rabbitbrush
thistle
littleflower collinsia
largeflower collomia
diffuse collomia
hawksbeard
obscure cryptantha
California danthonia
onespike danthonia
larkspur
annual hairgrass
slender hairgrass
spikesedge
smallflower willowweed
fleabane
scabland fleabane
buckwheat
slenderbush buckwheat
woolly eriophyllum
I
SCIENTIFIC NAMES & AUTHOR
Festuca idahoensis Elm
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne
Galium L.
Gayophytum nuttallii T. & G.
Geranium L.
Geum L.
Geum macrophyllum Willd.
Geum triflorum Pursh
Haplopappus bloomeri Gray
Hieracium cynoglossoides Arv.-Touv.
Hydrophyllum capitatum Dougl.
ex Benth.
Juncus L.
Juniperus occidentalis Hook.
Koeleria cristata Pers.
Lathyrus L.
Lewisia rediviva Pursh
Lilium columbianum Hanson
Linanthus harknessii (Curran) Greene
Lithophragma Nutt.
Lithospermum L.
Lomatium Raf.
Lomatium nudicaule (Pursh)
Coult. & Rose
Lomatium triternatum (Pursh)
Coult. & Rose
Lupinus L.
Lupinus caudatus Kell.
Madia glomerata Hook.
Melica bulbosa Geyer ex Porter & Coult.
Microsteris gracilis (Hook.) Greene
Montia perfoliata (Donn) Howell
Muhlenbergia Schreb.
Muhlenbergia filiformis (Thurb.) Rydb.
Muhlenbergia richardsonis (Trin.) Rydb.
Navarretia tagetina Greene
Paeonia browniti Dougl. ex Hook.
Penstemon Mitch.
Phacelia Juss.
98
COMMON NAME
Idaho fescue
blueleaf strawberry
bedstraw
nuttall groundsmoke
geranium
avens
largeleaf avens
prairiesmoke avens
rabbitbrush goldenweed
houndstongue hawkweed
ballhead waterleaf
rush
western juniper
prairie junegrass
peavine
bitterroot lewisia
columbia lily
Harkness linanthus
woodlandstar
srom well
biscuitroot
barestem lomatium
nineleaf lomatium
lupine
tailcup lupine
cluster tarweed
oniongrass
pink microsteris
minerslettuce
muhly
pullup muhly
Richardsons muhly
northern navarretia
Browns peony
penstemon
phacelia
SCIENTIFIC NAMES & AUTHOR
Phacelia hastata Dougl. ex Lehm.
Picea engelmannii Parry
Pinus contorta Dougl.
Pinus ponderosa Laws.
Plagiobothrys hispidus Gray
Plagiobothrys scouleri (H. & A.) Johnst.
Poa L.
Poa nervosa (Hook.) Vasey
Poa sandbergii Vasey
Polemonium micranthum Benth.
Polygonum douglasii Greene
Populus L.
Populus tremuloides Michx.
Potentilla L.
Potentilla glandulosa Lindl.
Potentilla gracilis Doug]. ex Hook.
Prunus emarginata (Dougl.) Walpers
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco
Pterospora andromedea Nutt.
Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.
Ranunculus L.
Ribes cereum Dougl.
Salix L.
Scirpus L.
Sedum stenopetalum Pursh
Senecio L.
Senecio integerrimus Nutt.
Sidalcea oregana (Nutt.) Gray
Silene L.
Sitanion hystrix (Nutt.) J. G. Smith
Stipa occidentalis Thurb. ex Wats.
Stipa thurberiana Piper
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake
Tetradymia canescens DC.
Thalictrum L.
Thuja plicata Donn
Trifolium L.
Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.
Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carr.
Viola purpurea Kell.
Zigadenus Michx.
99
COMMON NAME
whiteleaf phacelia
Engelmann spruce
lodgepole pine
ponderosa pine
popcornflower
Scouler popcornflower
bluegrass
Wheeler bluegrass
Sandberg bluegrass
littlebells polemonium
Douglas knotweed
cottonwood
quaking aspen
cinquefoil
gland cinquefoil
beauty cinquefoil
bitter cherry
Douglas-fir
woodland pinedrops
antelope bitterbrush
buttercup
wax currant
willow
bullrush
wormleaf stonecrop
groundsel
western groundsel
Oregon checkermallow
silene
bottlebrush squirreltail
western needlegrass
Thurber needlegrass
common snowberry
gray horsebrush
meadowrue
western redcedar
clover
western hemlock
mountain hemlock
goosefoot violet
deathcamas
yxYGPO 795-569
Dealy, J. Edward.
1971. Habitat characteristics of the Silver Lake mule deer range. USDA
Forest Serv. Res. Pap. PNW-125, 99 p., illus. Pacific Northwest
Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon.
Twenty-one ecosystems of the Silver Lake mule deer range in northern
Lake County, Oregon, are described. Discussions are included on eco-
system interrelationships and value and management for game. A field key
to ecosystems has been developed.
Keywords: Ecosystem, habitat, mule deer, vegetation, soils, site class.
Dealy, J. Edward.
1971. Habitat characteristics of the Silver Lake mule deer range. USDA
Forest Serv. Res. Pap. PNW-125, 99 p., illus. Pacific Northwest
Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon.
Twenty-one ecosystems of the Silver Lake mule deer range in northern
Lake County, Oregon, are described. Discussions are included on eco-
system interrelationships and value and management for game. A field key
to ecosystems has been developed.
Keywords: Ecosystem, habitat, mule deer, vegetation, soils, site class.
ee a em ee ee
Dealy, J. Edward.
1971. Habitat characteristics of the Silver Lake mule deer range. USDA
Forest Serv. Res. Pap. PNW-125, 99p., illus. Pacific Northwest
Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon.
Twenty-one ecosystems of the Silver Lake mule deer range in northern
Lake County, Oregon, are described. Discussions are included on eco-
system interrelationships and value and management for game. A field key
to ecosystems has been developed.
Keywords: Ecosystem, habitat, mule deer, vegetation, soils, site class.
mite oa
ey a
i
-
iy!
The mission of the PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOREST AND
RANGE EXPERIMENT STATION is to provide the knowledge,
_ technology, and alternatives for present and future protection,
management, and use of forest, range, and related environments.
Within this overall mission, the Station conducts and stimu-
lates research to facilitate and to accelerate progress toward the
following goals:
1. Providing safe and efficient technology for inventory, pro-
tection, and use of resources.
2. Development and evaluation of alterantive methods and.
levels of resource management.
3. Achievement of optimum sustained resource productivity
consistent with maintaining a high quality forest
environment.
The area of research encompasses Oregon, Washington, Alaska,
and, in some cases, California, Hawaii, the Western States, and the
Nation. Results of the research will be made available promptly.
Project headquarters are at:
College, Alaska Portland, Oregon
Juneau, Alaska Roseburg, Oregon
Bend, Oregon Olympia, Washington
Corvallis, Oregon Seattle, Washington
La Grande, Oregon Wenatchee, Washington
9 . af a; hs ‘
; ' os i ow,
ae,
MI
1022837930
The FOREST SERVICE of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the
Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water,
forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, co-
operation with the States and private forest owners, and man-
agement of the National Forests.and National Grasslands, it
strives — as directed by Congress— to provide increasingly greater
service to a growing Nation.
F
Ri
es
.
‘at
i
a
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11