In the reference condition the early to mid-seral species condition is the norm with mixed severity fire keeping a mosaic of western larch, Douglas-fir, and lodgepole pine in the overstory over scattered regeneration of subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and Douglas-fir. Stand replacing fires can be composed of solid lodgepole pine regeneration or a mix of western larch, Douglas-fir, and lodgepole.
As seral stands mature subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce will establish in the understory. Sites with fire exclusion for extended periods will have subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce in the overstory and understory. Engelmann spruce sometimes can dominate the overstory on the moister sites.
Key understory shrubs include bunchberry dogwood, twinflower, dwarf huckleberry, snowberry, western princes pine, Utah honeysuckle, spirea, and pachistima. Key herbs include pinegrass, western rattlesnake plantain, and queencup beadlily
Management with overstory removal and prescribed fire
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
