LIMESTONE SLOPES

Description

This state represents the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. It is dominated by Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine with traces of Rocky Mountain juniper, singleleaf pinyon pine and white fir in the canopy. Primary natural disturbance mechanisms affecting this ecological site are wildfire, periodic drought, disease and insect attack. Interactions between disturbance regimes and weather events determine long-term plant community dynamics. Infrequent, yet periodic, wildfire is an important influence on the understory of mature ponderosa pine forests. Increased mortality following drought is likely caused by a combination of insect attack and disease.

This ecological site is currently described by a one state model because additional states have not been identified at this time. If in the future additional stable states are identified on the landscape changes will be made to this model to reflect findings.

Submodel