Shallow Rocky Loam

Description

The Reference State is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The Reference State has four general community phases: an old-growth tree phase, a shrub-herbaceous phase, an immature tree phase, and an infilled tree phase. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought, and/or insect or disease attack. Fires within this community are infrequent and likely small and patchy due to low fuel loads. This fire type will create a plant community mosaic that will include all/most of the following community phases within this state

Submodel