Upland Cold Woodland Group

Description

Subalpine fir has the most extensive range reaching from the alpine zone to the fringes of the upland cool woodlands with Douglas-fir and Engelmanns spruce. Lodge pole pine is a major seral species in this community. This state is typical of old standing timber stands with a long duration fire return interval. Although fire has altered much of this community, the State is relatively fire resistant.

Characteristics and indicators

Subalpine fir are the dominant tree species in this state, with both old and young growth showing sufficient signs of reproduciton. There will be other sub-dominant species within the stand as well, including lodge pole pine, white bark pine, and engelmann spruce. The under story of this community is predominately shrubs and forbs with a few grasses intermixed. The composition of the under story is highly variable from north to south and from the west to eastern extent of this community.

Resilience management

Dead material resulting from insect and disease in old growth stands is the greatest threat of decline in these old growth forests. The fuel build up provides the risk of intense fire that will impact this community. Outside of this, this state is said to be resistant to significant change. Under story use by livestock and wildlife, where accessible, can have a significant impact to the under story composition. Utilization or browse on young growth and saplings can slow regeneration of key species especially in subalpine fir saplings.

Submodel

Description

The succession of the subalpine fir community following a major disturbance, generally an intense stand replacing fire or timber harvest/logging, includes two major stages before the stand can transition back to a subalpine fir community. These two phases include a shrub dominated community that then matures to a lodge pole pine community. Community composition will vary across the extent of this state based on parent materials, aspect, slope, and other site factors (historic use, past disturbance history) that are too broad to cover at this time.

Characteristics and indicators

The initial indicator of this state is the evidence of subalpine fir stands that have recently burned, disturbed, or have been harvested. The regeneration on this state includes primarily lodge pole pine at first, but engelmann spruce, white bark pine, and Douglas-fir are commonly associated species that may be present. Fireweed is a major indicator species of the disturbance, with ceanothus. As the community establishes and matures, lodge pole pine and Douglas-fir are the dominant forest components.

Resilience management

These communities are successional, and although the maturation process is relatively slow, the community is in a state of change or flux. Low intensity fires help to maintain a healthy forest as it matures, and influences the rate and type of change that occurs within each location. This state is resistant to significant change and is resilient, with adaptations occurring slowly - with time.

Submodel