The Reference State is a description of this ecological site just prior to Euro-American settlement but long after the arrival of Native Americans. The description of the Reference State was determined by NRCS Soil Survey Type Site Location information and familiarity with rangeland relict areas where they exist. At the time of European colonization, what would have been observed on these sites depended on the time since the last wildfire occurred. If the site had not seen fire for about 100 to 120 years, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) would have been the dominant species occupying the site with a sparse understory due to tree competition, overstory shading, and duff accumulation. Wildfire would have replaced these stands with a rich herb-dominated vegetation. In the absence of any major disturbance, the vegetation would have progressed into more of a shrub-herb co-dominance, followed by the establishment of lodgepole pine, and ultimately to fully mature lodgepole pine forest. Wildfire would have been the primary disturbance factor prior to Euro-American settlement. Early successional stages were shorter in duration. A more complete list of species by lifeform for the Reference State is available in the accompanying tables in the “Plant Community Composition by Weight and Percentage” section of this document.
State 2 is similar to State 1 in form and function, with the exception of the presence of non-native plants and animals, possible extinctions of native species, a different climate, and a secondary stand of trees. State 2 is a description of the ecological site shortly following Euro-American settlement (Alexander 1985, 1988). This state can be regarded as the current potential. With the least amount of disturbance or manipulation of fire regime, a mature stand of lodgepole pine with a sparse understory component is expected at this site. As with the Reference State, time since last wildfire remains the key factor in determining what vegetation would be encountered here. Wildfire, particularly crown fires, or complete harvesting of the forest will replace these stands with a rich herb-dominated vegetation. In the absence of any major disturbance, the vegetation will progress into more of a shrub-herb co-dominance, followed by the establishment of lodgepole pine, and ultimately to fully mature lodgepole pine forest. In some areas where wildfire has been prevented, lodgepole pine trees may be over-mature and consequently become more susceptible to infestation by insects and other pathogens.
The simultaneous introduction of exotic species, both plants and animals, and possible extinctions of native flora and fauna, along with climate change, has caused State 1 to transition to State 2. Europeans further altered this vegetation largely through logging, livestock grazing, trapping of beaver, and changing the fire regime. Continued impacts could prevent the recovery toward potential conifer dominance (State 2, various phases). The reversal of these changes (i.e. a return pathway) back to State 1 is not impractical.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
