LIMESTONE SLOPES

Description

The reference state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. This state is co-dominated by singleleaf pinyon pine and Utah juniper. Primary natural disturbance mechanisms affecting this ecological site are wildfire, drought, disease and insect attack. Interactions between disturbance regimes and weather events determine long term plant community dynamics. Pinyon-juniper habitat is generally arid and species are adapted to receiving limited annual precipitation. Overall, drought related mortality is low in this habitat type. Increased mortality following drought is likely caused by a combination of insect attack and disease (Shaw et al. 2005). Long term drought reduces herbaceous biomass production, lengthens the fire return interval and allows trees to increase in spatial coverage by spreading into nearby shrub lands.

Submodel