State 1
Reference State

Community 1.1
Pacific silver fir - western hemlock / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / queencup beadlily-western swordfern

Pacific silver fir - western hemlock / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / queencup beadlily-western swordfern Structure: mosaic of mature overstory and regenerating openings Western hemlock and Pacific silver fir are the most common overstory species in the Reference Community which lacks major disturbance for at least 100 years. Both Pacific silver fir and western hemlock are considered to be very shade tolerant, and perhaps the most shade tolerant of any tree species in North America (Crawford, 1990). Douglas-fir, western redcedar, Sitka spruce, and Pacific yew may be present but there will be minimal Douglas-fir regeneration under closed canopy forests, at times, entirely absent. The dense canopy created by multiple age groups of hemlocks may block most of the sunlight from the forest floor, leading to sparse understory in some areas. Gaps in the mid-canopy and overstory allow sunlight to reach the ground where the majority of the understory plants establish. When there is no mid-canopy, the understory tends to be more continuous. The most common natural disturbance on this site is the small gap dynamics following the death of one or two trees or windthrow. Common understory species include red huckleberry, Alaska huckleberry, twinflower, deer fern, queencup beadlily, threeleaf foamflower, and western swordfern.

Community 1.2
Douglas-fir/red huckleberry/false lily of the valley-western swordfern

Douglas-fir/red huckleberry/false lily of the valley-western swordfern Structure: open forest with abundant regeneration and snags Community phase 1.2 is an early seral plant community that has been impacted by a stand-replacing disturbance such as a wildfire, large scale wind event, timber management, mass movement, or major insect pest or disease. Nearly all trees are absent, but some fire-resistant trees may survive in the overstory. Snags are prevalent and remain standing and decaying. Large stems may be present on the surface and serve as nurse sites. The understory is predominately early seral tree, shrub, and forb species such as fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), western swordfern, red huckleberry, and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus). Douglas-fir is relatively fire resistant and can survive moderately intense fires, due to its thick corky bark. Depending on fire severity and cambium damage, a mature Douglas-fir component may remain as a dominant overstory species, while western redcedar, Pacific silver fir, Sitka spruce, and western hemlock may be at full stand replacement post fire.

Community 1.3
Douglas-fir – western hemlock / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / false lily of the valley-western swordfern

Douglas-fir – western hemlock / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / false lily of the valley-western swordfern Structure: dense single story Community phase 1.3 is an early seral forest in regeneration, possibly with scattered remnant mature trees. Species composition depends on the natural seed sources present and the intensity of disturbance. Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce are the primary conifer species. Red huckleberry and Alaska huckleberry may be abundant in the understory depending on sunlight availability.

Community 1.4
western hemlock – Douglas-fir / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / queencup beadlily-western swordfern

western hemlock – Douglas-fir / Alaska huckleberry – red huckleberry / queencup beadlily-western swordfern Structure: dense single story with diminished understory Community phase 1.4 is a forest in the competitive exclusion stage, possibly with scattered remnant mature trees. There is increasing competition among individual trees for available water and nutrients. Douglas-fir and western hemlock will dominate the overstory canopy, however species composition begins to phase out less shade tolerant species in favor of very shade tolerant species such as western hemlock and Pacific silver fir. Canopy closure is almost 100 percent leading to diminished shrub and forb layers. Some understory species better adapted to at least partial shade will begin to increase. Over time, the forest will begin to self-thin due to the elevated competition.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance such as a high-intensity fire, large scale wind event, major insect pest infestation, timber management, or large mass movement event leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.3

This pathway represents growth over time with no further major disturbance.

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2

This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance such as a high-intensity fire, large scale wind event, major insect pest infestation, timber management, or large mass movement event leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.

Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.4

This pathway represents growth over time with no further major disturbance.

Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.1

This pathway represents growth over time with no further major disturbance.

Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.2

This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance such as a high-intensity fire, large scale wind event, major insect pest infestation, timber management, or large mass movement event leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.