The Reference Plant Community is an open, mature, ponderosa pine - white oak stand represented by Community Phase 1.3 . This is the most advanced community within the historical disturbance regime for this site, yet this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest community structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and species composition. Historically, Oregon white oak - ponderosa pine woodlands would have cycled from a shrub bunchgrass young tree stand initiation phase (1.1) to a young woodland phase (1.2) to a mature woodland phase (1.3) with a disturbance regime characterized by frequent, low intensity surface fires with occasional mixed or replacement severity fires (Landfire fire regime group 1). Fire suppression has likely diminished the presence of mature savannah across the landscape, instead favoring closed canopy conditions and higher densities of younger trees (Devine et al. 2013). Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “current potential state”. In this document, the term “reference state” is used synonymously with “current potential state” for the sake of simplicity.
In this state much of the native herbaceous vegetation has been replaced by exotic annual grasses which at high levels may create positive feedbacks that alter fire regimes and promote prolonged invasion.
Invasion of annual grasses, such as cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass, occupying a significant amount of ground cover. Research has not identified a threshold for cover that will shift this community into an alternative state.
Restoration of this site will likely be time and labor intensive and require significant inputs. Possible restoration activities will be site specific and may be informed by Devine et al. 2013.
Reduction of invasive species may be possible yet will be time and labor intensive and require significant inputs. Possible restoration activities will be site specific and may be informed by Devine et al. 2013.
Model keys
Briefcase
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
