California - PDF document

1 Alaska California Great Basin Great Lak
Alaska California Great Basin Great Lakes Northeast Northern Plains N-Cent.Rockies Pacific Northwest South Central S. Appalachians SouthwestBiophysical Site DescriptionThese dry sites are easily recognized due to the serpentine soils, and are more pronounced on southern aspects. At elevations from 200-3500ft ASL, the sites will likely be dominated by Jeffrey pine. Soils are Vegetation Type Upland Savannah/Shrub SteppePIJEARVI4CEPUFEROModeler 1 10/25/2005 General Information Klamath-Siskiyou Xeromorphic Serpentine Savanna and ChaparralBiophysical SettingLANDFIRE Biophysical Setting ModelModeler 2Modeler 3Geographic Range Literature Local Data Expert EstimateGeneral Model Sources Map Zone Dominant S p ecies Contributors This BPS is lumped with: This BPS is split into multiple models:(also see the Comments field) HawaiiMonday, January 27, 2014Page 1 of 5 associated with incense-cedar and Douglas-fir. Herbaceous layer strongly dominated by grasses, notably Roemer fescue, and serpentine-adapted herbs. Occasional Ceanothus pumilis, Arctostaphylos viscidus, and occasionally Quercus breweri.Disturbance DescriptionHistorically, these woodland types had frequent low-severity fire (Fire Regime I). However, now there is higher susceptibility to stand replacing fire because of fire exclusion. Throughout the model, replacement fires reset to Class A, and surface fires recycle into the same class.Scale DescriptionRegionally a relatively small part of the landscape, but of great value for plant diversity. Patches in thousands of acres. However, disturbance patches were occasionally smaller in mixed severity fires. In a few areas, these occur on gravel deposits or very mineralized soils that will not support fine fuels (grass

2 lands). These open savanna and shrubland
lands). These open savanna and shrublands have long return intervals and patchy fires rather than underburns.Adjacency or Identification ConcernsAlso found in northern California on similar sites. These woodlands are usually found at low elevations within a matrix of mixed conifer and mixed evergreen stands. However, their identity lies in the soil conditions, rather than envirnmental gradients.This PNVG may be similar to the PNVG R1PIJE from the California model zone. Vegetation Classes Issues/ProblemsOther disturbances in this type include wind-weather-stress, insects-disease, and competition-lack of seed. However, these disturbances were not modeled in VDDT.CommentsNote this type is defined as only occurring on ultramafic geology--model does not apply to Jeffrey pine on other areas. Also, Festuca roemeri is only recently described, and most southwestern Oregon plot data will inlude this species as Festuca idahoensisOne reviewer suggests that the range of fire frequency be qualified by the biomass productivity, which is keyed to soil chemistry. Another reviewer posited that fire intervals are likely still longer than shown here, but that there is little data.This model was imported from MZ03 by Brendan WardNative Uncharacteristic ConditionsShrub cove�r 50% indicates fire return intervals are too high.Monday, January 27, 2014Page 2 of 5**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Class BScattered Jeffrey pine seedlings and saplings with herbaceous understory. Replacement fires (MFRI=200yrs) and surfac

3 e fires (MFRI=15yrs) occur. Succeeds to
e fires (MFRI=15yrs) occur. Succeeds to class B after about 30yrs.PIJEFEROACLE8DACA3Class AEarl Develo p ment 1 All StructureDescription Indicator Species and Canopy Position Upper Layer Lifeform Herbaceous Shrub TreeTree Size ClassSapling� 4.5ft; 5"DBHFuel Model Cover030Tree 0mTree 5mMinMaxHei Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform. Dominant life form is always either grasses or chaparral shrublands, based on the fire return interval. Areas with high fire returns supported grass savanna, while areas with lower return intervals were chaparral.Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform) Open stands of Jeffrey pine, with grass and forb understory and shrubs. Open chapparal with trees. Replacement fires (MFRI=200yrs) and surface fires (MFRI=15yrs) occur. After about 90yrs, succession to Class C.Mid Develo p ment 1 O p Description Upper Layer Lifeform Herbaceous Shrub TreeTree Size ClassMedium 9-21"DBHFuel Model Cover1040Tree 5.1mTree 50mMinMaxHei Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform. Distinguished from Classes C and D by the diameter range. and by having a grass understory.Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform) Scattered large Jeffrey pine, grass savanna maintained by frequent low intensity fire. Replacement fires (MFRI=200yrs) and surface fires (MFRI=15yrs) occur. Also, after 25yrs without fire, succession to Class D.Late Develo p ment 1 O p Description Upper Layer Lifeform Herbaceous Shrub TreeTree Size ClassLarge 21-33"DBHFuel Model Cover030Tree 10.1mTree 50mMinMaxHei Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform. These are grasslands with trees. The dominants are Festuca roemeri (F. idahoensis in plot data), Achnatherum lemmonii, and Danthonia californicaStructur

4 e Data (for upper layer lifeform) Class
e Data (for upper layer lifeform) Class C LowerLowerLowerPIJEARVI8FEROIndicator Species and Canopy Position U MiddleLowerPIJEDACA3FEROIndicator Species and Canopy Position U LowerLowerMonday, January 27, 2014Page 3 of 5**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. Replacement200100300MixedSurface151020 Literature Local Data Ex ert Estimate Insects/Disease Wind/Weather/Stress Com etition Other (optional 1) Disturbances Avg FIMin FIMax FI0.0050.06667ProbabilityPercent of All Fires All Fires140.07168Sources of Fire Regime Data Additional Disturbances Modeled Fire Intervals Fire Intervals (FI):Fire interval is expressed in years for each fire severity class and for all types of fire combined (All Fires). Average FI is central tendency modeled. Minimum and maximum show the relative range of fire intervals, if known. Probability is the inverse of fire interval in years and is used in reference condition modeling. Percent of all fires is the percent of all fires in that severity class. N ative Grazin g Fire Regime Group**: I Other (optional 2)Scattered large Jeffrey pine, open chapparal shrubland which develop in areas with lower fire frequencies. Fire is less frequent in this stand condition. Replacement fires (MFRI=300yrs) and surface fires (MFRI=20yrs) occur.Late Develo p ment 2 O p Description Upper Layer Lifeform Herbaceous Shrub TreeTree Size ClassLarge 21-33"DBHFuel Model Cover030Tree 10.1mTree 50mMinMaxHei Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform. Shrublands with trees. Dominant life for

5 m is mid to tall shrublands. Includes Ar
m is mid to tall shrublands. Includes Arctostaphylos viscidus, A. canescens, Quercus breweri, Ceanothus cuneatus, and the low growing Ceanothus pumilus, with grasses and forbs.Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform) Class D 0 [ Not Used ] [ Not Used ] Description Upper Layer Lifeform Herbaceous Shrub TreeTree Size ClassFuel Model CoverMinMaxHei Upper layer lifeform differs from dominant lifeform. Structure Data (for upper layer lifeform) Class EHistorical Fire Size (acres) AvgMinMaxPIJEARVI8CEC Indicator Species and Canopy Position U MiddleMiddleIndicator Species and Canopy Position Monday, January 27, 2014Page 4 of 5**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severity. References Atzet, T., D.E. White, L.A. McCrimmon, P.A. Martinez. P.R. Fong and V.D. Randall. 1996. Field guide to the forested plant associations of Southwestern Oregon. Tech. Pap. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-17-96. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service. Burns, R.M. and B.H. Honkala. 1990. Silvics of North America: Vol. 1, conifers. Ag. Handbook 654. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service. 675 pp.NatureServe. 2007. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, VA. Data current as of 10 February 2007.Monday, January 27, 2014Page 5 of 5**Fire Regime Groups are: I: 0-35 year frequency, surface severity; II: 0-35 year frequency, replacement severity; III: 35-100+year frequency, mixed severity; IV: 35-100+ year frequency, replacement severity; V: 200+ year frequency, replacement severit