Upland Sand (Mountain Big Sagebrush)

Description

The reference state represents the plant communities and ecological dynamics of the upland sand (mountain big sagebrush) site. This state includes the biotic communities that become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences are completed under the natural disturbance regime. The reference state is generally dominated by perennial grasses and mountain and/or Bonneville big sagebrush. The reference state is self sustaining and resistant to change due to high resistance to natural disturbances and high resilience following natural disturbances. When natural disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable due to disturbance intensity. Once invasive plants establish, return to the reference state may not be possible.

Submodel