Rhyolite Hills 38-42 PZ

Description

This is the reference state for the Rhyolite Hills ecological site. It represents the historic range of variability in the plant communities with the periodic disturbance of fire and grazing. It is a mosaic of herbaceous plants, trees and woody understory vines and shrubs.

The dominant grasses are sideoats grama, dropseeds, silver bluestem and Scribner’s panicum with some areas of little bluestem. Other grasses include poverty oatgrass, perennial threeawn and sedges. Dominant forbs include sunflowers, western ragweed, heath aster. Legumes include tick-clovers, trailing wildbeans, and native lespedezas. Woody species include blackjack oak, post oak, Shumard oak, chittamwood, redbud, poison ivy, greenbriar, coralberry, hackberry and American elm. These woody species will increase in canopy cover in the absence of fire.

Woody canopy in the reference state is complex with some areas having dense tree canopy mixed with multiple prairie openings. For planning and management purposes, the average woody canopy in reference condition can be described as less than 40%.

The Rhyolite Hills site is estimated to produce between 500– 1,800 pounds of vegetative production per year in reference condition. Woody canopy in this community is complex with some areas having dense oak canopy mixed with multiple prairie openings. For planning and management purposes, the average woody canopy in reference condition can be described as 20% - 40%.

Midgrasses Trees Forbs = Shrubs
Minor components: Tallgrasses and cool season grass/grasslikes

Submodel

Description

This state is often the result of fire suppression for multiple years. Non fire tolerant woody species such as elms, hackberry and juniper have increased and created a shaded environment with a heavy accumulation of leaf litter. Ecosystem processes are significantly altered and the herbaceous community is dominated by shade tolerant understory species. Greenbriar, grape and other shrubs and vines may create a dense understory layer.