Breaks

Description

Dense Shrub Community is variable due to the variations in plants environments multiple mountain shrubland communities are grouped into this general plant community phase. In general, the Dense Shrub Communities (1.1) phase is the potential of the site in absence of natural fires for a period of at least 10 years. Vegetation has recovered from fires, fuels have built up, and the phase is ready to burn naturally again. Annual production ranges from 1425 to 2800 pounds per acre.

The Open Shrub Community is a grouping of multiple mountain shrub communities that have recently burned (< 10 years). Species composition, relative percentages of grasses and shrubs will differ due to variations in local environments (soils, topography, elevation, and aspect). In general, these communities will have a lower canopy cover of shrubs when comparing similar environments that have not burned. Individual plant morphology, local seed bank, and the severity of the fire will dictate species composition in the years following a fire.

Submodel