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United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture Plant Association and
-Forest Service
Pacificggyst Management Guide?6-Ecol-130a-1983 for the Pacific Silver
Fir ZoneGifford Pinchot National Forest
Plant Association andManagement Guide forthe Pacific Silver .Fir’Zone
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
By Dale G. Brockway, Forest EcologistChristopher Topik, Assistant Forest EcologistMiles A. Hemstrom, Area EcologistWilliam H. Emmingham, Extension Silviculture
Specialist, Oregon StateUniversity
R6-Ecoi-130a-1983June 1983
Table of Contents
LISTOFFIGURESLISTOFTABLES
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
METHODS AND NOMENCLATURE. Methods
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nomenclat;r;!::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.::::::
PLANT ASSOCIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .An OverviewEcological Inieip;eiaiib' : : : : 1 1 : : : : : : 1 : : : : : 1 : : : : : : : : 1 1 : : : : : :Management Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KEY TO PLANT ASSOCIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .UseoftheKey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TheKey .. ..Species List and Illustrations................................. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASSOCIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pacific Silver Fir/Salal Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pacific Silver Fir/Dwarf Oregon Grape AssociationPacific Silver Fir/Vanillaleaf-Queencup Beadlily Asscci&.;on : : : : : : : : 1 : : : : : : : : :Pacific Silver Fir/Alaska Huckleberry AssociationPacific Silver Fir/Alaska Huckleberry-Salal Association......................... : : : : 1 : : : :Pacific Silver Fir/Coolwort Foamflower Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pacific Silver Fir/Devil's Club AssociationPacific Silver Fir/Cascades Azalea Association
...........: : : 1 : : 1 : : : : : : : : : : : : :
Pacific Silver Fir/Fool's Huckleberry Association : .Pacific Silver Fir/Big Huckleberry/Queencup Beadlily Associition : : 1 : : : : . . : 1 1 : : : :Pacific Silver Fir/Big Huckleberry/Beargrass Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mountain Hemlock AssociationsMountain Hemlock/Big Huckleberry As;ociit;oA . : : : 1 : : : : : 1 : : : : : : : : 1 : : : : : :Mountain Hemlock/Fool's Huckleberry AssociationMountain Hemlock/Cascades Azalea Association
..............................; : 1 : : : : : : : :
LITERATURECITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
APPENDIX I: Vegetation, Physiographic and Soil Characteristics of Each Association . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX II: Empirical Height Growth Curves and Volume Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX III: Curves for Site Index and Growth Basal Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX IV: Regional Characteristics of Each Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iii
1
5
15
f :2829
72
75
95
105
113
List of Figures
Figure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 0
1 1
Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock plot locations . . . . . . . . . . .
Vegetation profile through the Columbia Gorge and Cascade Range . . . . . . .
Annual precipitation for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . .
Environmental relationships among the series and associations of the GiffordPinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Relative environmental distribution of several shrubs on the Gifford PinchotNational Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forest floor dry weight with increasing elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percent of total soil organic matter and nitrogen contained in the forestfloor with increasing elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frost prone areas of the upper elevations in the Cascade Range . . . . . . .
Comparison of three production indices among upper elevaticn associations . .
Height growth comparison among important timber species in high, moderate andlow production upper elevation associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Important timber and indicator plants commonly found in the upper elevationsof the Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
w....... 4
. . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . 8
. . . . . . . 1 0
....... 1 1
. . . . . . . 1 7
....... 17
. . . . . . . 19
. . . . . . . 24
. . . . . . . 25
. . . . . . . 31
List of Tables
Table
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 0
1 1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1 9
2 0
2 1
2 2
2 3
2 4
2 5
2 6
2 7
ii
Names, abbreviations and ecoclass codes of the upper elevation associations ofthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Acreage breakdown of forest series on the Gifford
Mean air and soil temperatures for selected plantPacific silver fir series . . . . . . . . .
Distribution of tree species by association . . .
Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . 6
comnunities in the. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Environmental characteristics of the upper elevation associations ofthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Management characteristics of the upper elevation associations ofthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Relationship of site nutrient loss and burn intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Regeneration characteristics of upper elevation conifer species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Productivity summary for upper elevation associations ofthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest . . . . . . . '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
List of TRI abbreviations, scientific and common names of plants usedin the key and association descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/salal association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/dwarf Oregon grape association . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlily association . . . . . 58
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry association . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry-salal association . . . . . . . . 60
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/coolwort foamflower association . . . . . . . . . . 61
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/devil's club association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Cascades azalea association . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberry association . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/queencup beadlily association . . . 66
Productivity of-the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/beargrass association . . . . . . . 67
Productivity of the mountain hemlock/big huckleberry association . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6E!
Productivity of the mountain hemlock/fool's huckleberry association . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Productivity of the mountain hemlock/Cascades azalea association . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/salal, Pacific silver fir/dwarf Oregongrape and Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlily associations . . . . . . . 76
Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry associations . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/devil's club and Pacific silver fir/coolwortfoamflower associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Table m
28 Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberry and Pacific silver fir/Cascades azalea associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
29 Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry associations . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
30 Plant cover of the mountain hemlock associations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
31 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/salal, Pacificsilver fir/dwarf Oregon grape and Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencupbeadlily associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
32 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/Alaskahuckleberry associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
33 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/devil's club andPacific silver fir/coolwort foamflower associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
34 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberryand Pacific silver fir/Cascades azalea associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
35 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberrya s s o c i a t i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2
36 Physiographic and soil characteristics of the mountain hemlock associations . . . . . . . . 93
iii
Introduction
The study of plant communities provides usefulinformation about the environment in which theyoccur. Cormwnities are a product of long terminteraction between factors in the physicalenvironment and the organisms present.Environmental factors such as temperature,moisture, light and nutrients act as selectiveinfluences on'plant populations, favoringspecies best adapted to a particular type ofsite. While random chance and geneticadaptation within species are also important inthe development of community composition andstructure, research by Waring (1969) and Zobelet al. (1976) has documented the relationshipbetween plant cotnnunities and the complex ofenvironmental factors which influence them.
Although discontinuities may be found (Whittaker1962), generally the composition of vegetationvaries continuously over the landscape (Ramensky1924, Gleason 1926, McIntosh 1967). As amanagement convenience, vegetation can beaggregated into discrete units (associations)based on dominant overstory, understory andindicator species which characterizeenvironmental conditions on similar sites. Thisconcept is similar to that of habitat tyPe(Daubenmire 1968, Franklin 1966, Pfister et al.1977) except that the land area upon which theassociation occurs is not included.
An understanding of the basic environmentalfactors that operate in an association allowsbetter prediction of the results of naturalprocesses and management actions. Sitesoccupied by similar plant associations may beexpected to respond similarly to silvicultura 1treatment. Management considerations such asfrost, snowpack, soil compactability, droughtregeneration potential, productivity andsusceptibility to perturbation can be relatedplant associations.
,
to
This guide is intended for use by forest landmanagers of the Gifford Pinchot National-. _ . . . - _ -- .Forest. It is designed to help classify standsor sites into associations so that previousresearch and management experience pertinent tothat plant community can be implemented.Specifically, it can be used as an aid in (1)identifying plant associations in the fieldduring project level .work, (2) stratifyingfuture inventory sampling and (3) future mappingactivity required for land management planningdecisions. Its contents include (1) a summaryof associations and their characteristicenvironments, (2) a discussion of associationmanagement considerations, (3) a key to theassociations which can be used for fieldidentification and (4) detailed descriptions ofthe physiography, soils, vegetation,regeneration and productivity of eachassociation which should be used to verify
identification and develop management options.For convenient field use, the major aspects ofthis guide have been condensed into pocket sizedformat (Brockway et al. 1983). Additionalcopies of these publications are availablethrough the Forest Supervisor's Office inVancouver, Washington.
The plant associations described in this guideare important tools for the land manager. Theyprovide a basis for coannunicating researchinformation and management experience and forchoosing among management alternatives. Theseassociations are useful as activity planning andland allocation decision tools because knowledgeof the important environmental factorsinfluencing various types of sites aids inprediction of long term trends on undisturbedareas as well as responses following managementoperations.
I
i
/ i
!
Methods and Nomenclature
MethodsThe vegetation, soil and site data used informulation of this guide were collectedthroughout the forested portion of the Pacificsilver fir (ABAM) zone (Franklin and Dyrness1973, Franklin 1966) and the lower portion ofthe mountain hemlock (TSME) zone of the GiffordPinchot National Forest. Future editions ofthis guide will include ecological informationcollected in the remaining portion of themountain hemlock series, subalpine fir (ABLA2)forests and parkland, non-forest vegetation,grand fir (ABGR) series, western hemlock (TSHE)series and riparian vegetation.
The major objective of our sampling was toinclude a wide variety of long term stable plantcommunities throughout the middle to upperelevations of the forest. Circular 0.05 acre(0.02 ha) plots were established in selectedundisturbed stands occurring on a variety ofaspects, elevations and slopes. Sampled standsmet the following criteria: (1) at least 75years old, (2) relatively undisturbed and (3)relatively uniform in vegetation composition andcover within the area sampled. This guide isbased upon data from 318 reconnaissance plots,101 of which were intensively sampled to obtainproduction estimates (Figure 1).
Data collection consisted of (1) ocularestimates of tree, shrub and herb cover byspecies, (2) height, diameter (dbh) and radialgrowth measurements of dominant and codominanttrees, (3) basal area determination of stand andof each species by diameter class, (4) soilsurface and soil profile description and (5)assessment of site location, elevation, aspect,slope, landform and microtopography. A summaryof detailed sampling procedures is availablefrom the Forest Ecologist, USDA Forest Service,Vancouver, Washington. Data collected fromfield plots were evaluated using standardcomputational techniques and procedures inRegion 6 Ecological Programs (Volland andConnelly 1978). Procedures included associationtables, similarity index and cluster anddiscriminate analyses.
Nomenclature . ..I __Althouah the plant associations described hereare di&zussed'as though they are discrete units,it is important to bear in mind that theyrepresent conceptual abstractions. Theirdescription as discrete units is a managementconvenience. Ecotones of transition vegetationmay be frequently encountered when assessingcomposition in the field.
We have classified long term stable vegetationon two basic levels: series and association(Table 1). The "long term stable state" is the
stand condition which is normally achievedfollowing 300 years without disturbance. ThePacific silver fir series exists wherever thelong term stable vegetation will have at least10% cover of Pacific silver fir. This criterioneffectively,separates ,the Pacific silver firseries from the western hemlock series andsubalpine fir series wherever they interface.The mountain hemlock series exists wherever thelong term stable vegetation will have at least10% mountain hemlock. This criterion separatesthe mountain hemlock series from the Pacificsilver fir series where they interface. Standdevelopment is usually sufficient to allowseries identification between 50 and 100 yearsafter stand formation. Series may also beinferred from adjacent stands. The seriescorresponds to the first two digits of the sixdigit TRI ecoclass code.
Series are divided into associations based onthe dominant species in the understory which areindicative of the ambient environmentalconditions. These may be shrub or herb specieswhich exhibit prominent indicator value. Anexample of an association described bytree/shrub/herb assemblage would be Pacificsilver fir/big huckleberry/beargrass(ABAM/VAME/XETE). An example of the singularimportance of an herb in associationnomenclature would be Pacific silverfir/coolwort foamflower (ABAM~~IUN). Theassociation corresponds to the last four digitsin the TRI ecoclass code.
White /-
Salmon A
V E R -1
Figure 1: Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock plot locations
Table 1: Names, abbreviations and ecoclass codes of the upper elevation associations of the GiffordPinchot National Forest
Association Scientific NameAbbreviation and
Ecoclass Code
Pacific silver fir/salal association
Abies amabilis/Gaultheria shallon
Pacific silver fir/dwarfOregon grape association
Abies amabilis/Berberis nervosa
Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencupbeadlily association
Abies amabilis/Achlys triphylla-Clintonia uniflora
Pacific silver fir/Alaskahuckleberry association
Abies amabilis/Vaccinium alaskense
Pacific silver fir/Alaskahuckleberry-salal association
Abies amabilis/Vaccinium alaskense-Gaultheria shallon
Pacific silver fir/coolwortfoamflower association
Abies amabilis/Tiarella unifoliata
Pacific silver fir/devil'sclub association
Abies amabilis/Oplopanax horridum
Pacific silver fir/Cascadesazalea association
Abies amabilis/Rhododendron albiflorum
Pacific silver fir/fool'shuckleberry association
Abies amabilis/Menriesiaferruginea
Pacific silver fir/bighuckleberry/queencup beadlilyassociation
Abies amabilisfiacciniummembranaceum/Clintoniauniflora
Pacffic silver fir/bighuckleberry/beargrassassociation
Abies amabilis/Vacciniummembranaceum/Xerophyllumtenax
Mountain hemlock/bighuckleberry association
Tsuga mertensiana/Vaccinium membranaceum
Mountain hemlock/fool'shuckleberry association
Tsuga mertensiana/Menziesia ferruginea
Mountain hemlock/Cascadesazalea association
Tsuga mertensiana/Rhododendron albiflorum
ABAM/GASHCF Sl-52
ABAM/BENECF Sl-51
ABAM/ACTR-CLUNCF F2-53
ABAM/VAALCF S2-57
ABAM/VAAL-GASHCF S2-55
ABAMfTIUNCF Fl-52
ABAM/OPHOCF S3-51
ABAM/RHALCF S5-50
ABAM/MEFECF S2-54
ABAM/VAME/CLUNCF S2-56
ABAM/VAME/XETEC F S2-51
TSME/VAMECM S2-10
TSME/MEFECM S2-21
TSME/RHALCM S2-23
5
Plant Associations
An Overv iewThe plant associations present on the GiffordPinchot National Forest are typical of thevegetation assemblages occurring in southernWashington Cascades physiographic region boundedby Mt. Adams to the east,Mount St. Helens to thewest, Mt. Rainier to the north and the ColumbiaRiver to the south. A generalized east-westtransect through the Columbia Gorge (Figure 2)shows the spatial arrangement of the majorvegetation series present in this area.Environmental
7radients in moisture from east
(dry) to west moist) and temperature from lowelevation (warm) to high elevation (cold) arereadily apparent from occurrence of variousseries. The western hemlock series occupies thelower elevations (below 3000 feet) generally tothe west of the Cascade crest (warm and moist).While the ponderosa pine series also occurs atlower elevations, it is located further to theeast (warm and dry). The Pacific silver firseries occupies sites of upper elevation(approximately 3000 to 4300 feet) generally westof the Cascade crest (cool and moist), however,may intergrade to the east with its elevationalequivalent, the grand fir series (cool anddry). The mountain hemlock series is present ateven higher elevations (approximately 4300 to5600 feet) throughout the forest (coldenvironments). The subalpine fir series occursat the highest elevations (above 5600 feet)where forest may be found upward to the treeline (very cold environments). Non-forestedalpine communities occur at elevations above thetree line.
The acreage breakdown of the above series takenfrom forest TRI records is seen in Table 2. Thelargest area is occupied by the western hemlockseries, 531,792 acres or 40 percent of the totalnational forest land. At 495,832 acres or 38percent of the total, the Pacific silver firzone represents the second largest seriespresent. The grand fir series at 61,278 acresor 5 percent and the subalpine fir series at51,335 acres or 4 percent of the total are thenext largest groups. The mountain hemlock at
8440 acres and the ponderosa pine series at 129acres represent less than 1 percent of the total.
Ecologica l in terpretat ionThe environmental gradients of moisture andtemperature, as we have seen, have a majorinfluence upon the occurrence of the variousforest series present on the Gifford PinchotNatfonal Forest. Within that broader context ofenvironmental gradients influencing theoccurrence of each series is a subset of moresubtle environmental gradients which largelydetermine the occurrence of the various plantassociations. Agaln moisture and temperatureare prominent influences at this level, butother atmospheric or edaphic factors may belocally important. Figure 3 shows the annualprecipitation for the locale. Althoughprecipitation is abundant throughout the forest,variation in the proportion incident as snowversus rafn and variation In soil and airtemperatures (Table 3) resulting from elevation,aspect and soil drainage characteristicsproduces different environmental conditions andthe corresponding diversity of plantassociations. The plant associations occurringin the upper elevations are shown in Figure 4.Their relationship to one another and to theremaining series on the Gifford Pinchot NationalForest is represented along moisture and .temperature gradients.
Indicator species have been a useful tool indetermining the relative environmentalrelationship among the various plantassociations. Knowledge of the habitatpreferences of one plant species or aco-occurring group of species in a particularplant association, can aid in characterizing theenvironmental conditions of a site occupied bythe association. Since associations areidentified by their dominant understoryvegetation, shrub distribution is of interest(Figure 5). Note that devil's club, Cascadesazalea, salal and to some degree fool'shuckleberry have limited distribution and are
Table 2: Acreage breakdown of forest series on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Forest TRI records1982)
Series Acres Occupied
Western hemlock 531,792Pacific silver fir 495,832
Grand fir 61,278Subalpine fir 51,335Mountain hemlock 8,440Ponderosa pine 129Non-forest 171,547
Total 1,320,353
X of Total Area
4038
:0.60.01
12.4
100.01
6
‘Willamette-PugetTrough Cascade Range
ColumbiaPlateau
PortlandCascade Locks
Coiumbg Gorge0 20 40 kmI I
Forests of Pseudotsuga menziesi_i_with Tsuga heterophylla and Thuja plicata
0.. 0q.*Z,,Ze",a.Forests of Pinus ponderosa and Quercus Jarryana
.:.:,:.:.:.*.*A*.-.*q. . . . . . .:.:.:.:.:. Prairie (bunchgrass steppe of Agropyron spicatum)*.*.-.*.-.*
Forests of Abies amabilis, A. procera,and Chamaecyparis nootkatenss
Pinus monticola, Tsuga heterophylla
Forests of Abies grandis, Pinus monticola, p. contorta, P.ponderosa, .Larixoccidentalis and Pseudotsuga menziesii
Subalpine forests of Tsuga mertensiana, Abies lasiocarpa and Pinus albicaulis
Alpine communities
q l Snowfields and glaciers
Figuire 2: Vegetation profile through the Columbia Gorge and Cascade Range(Troll 1955)
Figure 3: Annual precipitation for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest(U.S. Weather Bureau 1965)
Table 3: Mean air and soil temperatures for selected plant conmunfties in the Pacific silver fir series1
Mean Air Temperature (oC) 1978-1980
J F bMaxan Min Maxe
Mar APr Mw Jun J 1Mfn Max Mfn MaxU
Au9 Sep ot Nov LkCMin Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Mfn Max' Mfn Max Min Max Min
ABAM/VAME -2.7 -4.8 - - - - - - 7.0 2.2 11.9 4.4 19.6 9.3 17.5 9.8 12.3 6.1 12.5 5.2 4.1 -0.8 0.4 -3.1
ABAM/RHAL -2.2 -7.6 2.3 -1.8 4.3 -0.4 7.7 2.0 10.8 4.7 13.1 6.0 18.4 10.0 16.6 9.4 14.6 a.1 12.8 6.3 5.0 0.7 2.5 -1.5
ABAM/OPHO 1.5 -2.4 3.9 1.0 5.7 2.0 10.0 5.0 13.3 6.2 16.6 9.0 20.4 Il.9 la.8 11.1 16.0 10.2 12.6 7.5 6.5 3.0 3.1 -0.3
ABAM/TIUN 2.6 -1.1 - - - - - - 9.7 4.4 15.4 a.0 18.6 10.5 17.8 11.0 15.5 9.1 13.3 7.3 6.7 1.4 3.2 -0.4
ABAM/VAAL 0.3 -4.1 3.2 -0.5 5.4 0.8 8.8 2.2 13.2 5.2 14.9 6.8 19.8 10.3 17.8 10.0 15.8 a.7 14.0 7.2 5.9 1.7 2.9 -1.1
ABAM/BENE -1.4 -6.2 2.0 -1.7 4.0 -0.9 8.7 1.4 11.4 3.2 15.4 7.0 20.5 9.6 la.1 a.8 13.7 7.0 12.3 4.3 3.3 -1.3 -2.3 -6.9
Mean Soil Temperature (oC) 1978-1980
ABAM/VAME
ABAWRHAL
.ABAM/OPHO
ABAM/TIUN
ABAM/VAAL
ABAWBENE
Jan
1.3
2.4
2.2
1.6
1.8
1.0
I-eb
m
2.4
1.6
1.8
2.4
Mar Apr
2.1 2.2
1.4 4.0
- -
1.8 2.0
1.6 3.0
May Jun Jul Aug Sep Ott Nov DeC
1.6 6.1 a.5 9.7 7.7 6.8 2.6 2.7
2.8 7.0 11.3 10.3 10.4 a.3 3.9 2.2
5.3 a.3 10.6 12.0 11.3 9.4 5.4 2.4
5.4 a.0 10.2 11.2 10.1 a.9 5.1 2.1
5.6 7.8 10.9 12.0 10.5 9.0 4.2 2.5
5.4 7.8 11.0 11.1 9.3 7.8 3.9 1.8
1Greene, S. and J. F. Franklin. 1982. Unpublished air and soil temperature data in Pacific silver fir communities of Nfsqually River drainage, Mt.Rainier National Park. (Personal comnuniction). USDA Forest Service. Corvallfs, OR 97331.
Cold -
1i5‘iiif
-
:
Subalpine Fir forest-meadow
\\\ \
Mourttain Hemlock--------------------------------_TSMElRHAL TSMElMEFE TSMEIVAME
ABAMIMEFE ABAM/VAME/XETE \ \
%2ABAMI
ACTR-CLUN
j-ABAMIVAAL-GASH 1 ABAMlGASH 1
Western Hemlock
Wet
Figure 4: ENVIRONMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE SERIES AND ASSOCIATIONS OF THE GIFFORDPINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST
Cold
Warm
Cold,
Warm
//
/A- big huckleberry(VAME)
Moist Dry
Moist Dry
Figure 5'~ Relative environmental distribution of several shrubs on the GiffordPinchot National Forest
1 1
therefore diagnostic for the types named forthem. Several more widespread shrubs, big .huckleberry, dwarf Oregon grape, vine maple andAlaska huckleberry, are less diagnostic becausethey are more widely distributed and occurfrequently outside the associations which beartheir names.
The warm shrub group includes baldhip rose(ROGY), trailing snowberry (SYMO), redhuckleberry (VAPA), vine maple (ACCI), dwarfOregon grape (BENE), salal (GASH) and prince'spine (CHUM) and is often associated with goodsites for Douglas-fir and noble fir. Salaloccurs only at lower elevations on fairly warmcites. Dwarf Oregon grape and prince's pineoccur in a wide variety of environments withhighest cover on relatively dry, warm areas.Trailing snowberry only occurs on the warmest,driest sStes in the Pacific silver fir zonewhere ~031s are deep and well-drained. Vinemaple occurs in very rocky, dry areas such astalus slopes or rockslides and on relativelymoist sites.
(ACTR), white inside-out flower (VAHE), pioneerviolet (VIGL), sweetscented bedstraw (GATR),threeleaf anemone (ANDE) and starry solomonplume(SMST). Rosy twistedstalk (STRO), sitkavalerian (VASI) and coolwort foamflower areherbs which indicate cooler, moist sites withinthe Pacific silver fir zone. Very moist sitespecies which are generally associated withabundant moisture and rich soils include oakfern (GYDR), Siberian montia (MOSI) and, on warmsites, Oregon oxalis (OXOR), baneberry (ACRU),brewer miterwort (MIBR), ladyfern (ATFI) anddeerfern (BLSP). Siberian montia also occurs inplaces where there is a high water table duringthe early part of the growing season, especiallyat lower elevations. Horsetatl (EQAR) indicatesa high water table and may invade disturbedareas. Geargrass (XETE) is very widespread, butattains its highest coverage on cold and dryhabitats. It is nearly ubiquitous in thePacific silver fir associations except for veryrich and moist sites.
Cpscades azalea (RHAL) indicates a cold, moistsite and does not occur outside of areas wherethere is a heavy snowpack. Fool's huckleberry(MEFE) and Alaska huckleberry (VAAL) are favoredby cool sites which have relatively gooddrainage. Fool's huckleberry is more narrowlyrestricted to cooler locales. Devil's club(OPHO) is confined to sites with abundant waterduring the growing season and generally occursat lower elevations than Cascades azalea.
Douglas-fir (PSME) and noble fir (ABPR) are themost comnon seral species on warmer,well-drained sites (Table 4). Douglas-fir isfound in all associations within the Pacificsilver fir zone and therefore has littleindicator value. Its long life span, light seedand adaptiveness have insured widespreaddistribution. Noble fir is erratic in itsdistribution because of its heavy seed andrelatively short life span. It is a'seral treespecies, generally dropping out of stands afterthey reach 350 years of age.
Warm site herbs in the Pacific silver fir series Western hemlock (TSHE) and Pacific silver fir ~include fairybells (DIHO), Oregon bedstraw (ABAM) are the most widespread trees in the(GAOR), white hawkweed (HIAL), twinflower(LIBOe), strawberry (FRAGA), western swordfern
Pacific silver fir zone. They are typically' 'thought of as climax species because they both
(POMP) and Pacific trillium (TROV). Western are tolerant. Because Pacific silver fir isswordfern, twinflower and Pacific trillium are more frost hardy and resistant to snow breakagealso widespread in the western hemlock zone. than western hemlock (Thornberg 1%9), it willHerbs typical of mesic sites, with deeper soils dominate on cooler habitats. Given a site withand moderate temperatures, include vanjllaleaf sufficient moisture, both western hemlock and
Table 4: Distribution of tree species by association*
Association- ABAM ABPR TSME TSHE PSME PIEN ABLA2 PIMO PICO LAOC THPL CHNO
TSME/RHALE :
C S S S S C
TSMEIMEFE S C S S S
TSME/VAME: 5
C C S S SABAM/VAME/XETE C C S S z
z SS
ABAM/VAME/CLUNABAM/MEFEABAM/RHALABAM/OPHO
ABAM/TIUNABAM/VAALAGAMIACTR-CLUN
ABAMIVAAL-GASHABAM/BENEABAM/GASH-
C S C C s s S
Cs
C S S S
c"C C s S S
S d S C C
:S S CS : S C
c s c s c
C S c s C
:S S CS : S C
*c = major climax speciesc = minor climax species
S = major seral speciess = minor seral species
12
Pacific silver fir can play a seral role. Inthe P'acific silver fir zone of the Cascades,western hemlock often has played a pioneer rolein older stands which now have little westernhemlock regeneration. It appears to have movedupslolpe as a pioneer in open areas. This may beexplained by the greater moisture supply andlower evaporative demand found at the higherelevations.
Mountain hemlock (TSME), when found in abundancein the overstory and the regeneration layer,indicates a cold site. Alaska yellow-cedar(CHNO) is found at high elevations on moistsites. Both mountain hemlock and Alaskayellow-cedar occur up to timberline, indicatingthey are highly adapted to cold, extremeenvironnments. Lod epole pine (PICO) andwestern larch (LAOC B are early successioninvaders on the eastern side of the Cascadeswhere the rain-shadow effect creates a drierenvironment. Lodgepole pine also pioneers ondeep pumice or lava flows and may persist therefor hundreds of years.
Several other tree species occur in a more orless predictable pattern. Western redcedar(THPL,) is a warm site indicator within thePacific silver fir zone, occurring only in thelower elevation warmer associations. Westernwhite pine (PIMO) occurs sporadically in manytypes:, having been greatly reduced in importanceby white pine blister rust. Subalpine fir(ABLA;!) regenerates best at the upper margin ofthe closed forest stands, although it may occuroccasionally in other locations. Engelmannspruce (PIEN) is generally found in frostpockets, either on flat ridgetops or in moistdepressions. It is capable of developing aspreading root system, suiting it to sites withhigh water tables.
Table 5 summarizes the descriptivecharacteristics of the environments occupied bythe various associations of the upperelevations. The mountain hemlock/Cascadesazalea (TSME/RHAL) association, mountainhemlock/fool's huckleberry (TSME/MEFE)association, mountain hemlock/big huckleberry(TSME.NAME) association and Pacific silverfir/big huckleberry/beargrass (ABAM/VAME/XETE)association are tvoicallv encountered at highelevations on sit% with-north tending aspects.This results in cold temperatures, heavysnowpacks and occasionally high water tables.Sites occupied by ABAM/VAME/XETE have southerlyaspects and are slightly warmer and drier thanthose of the TSME associations. The Pacificsilver fir/Cascades azalea (ABAM/RHAL), Pacificsilver fir/devil's club (ABAM/OPHO), Pacificsilver fir/big huckleberry/queencup beadlily(ABAMflAMEKLUN) and Pacific silver fir/fool'shuckleberry (ABAM/MEFE) associations arecharacterized by cool environments on sitestendilng to north aspects, positioned on benchesto up/per slopes. The Pacific silverfir/coolwort foamflower (ABAM~~IUN), Pacificsilvelr fir/Alaska huckleberry (ABAM/VAAL) andPacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlily(ABAM/ACTR-CLUN) associations occupy mesic sites
which are influenced by moderate environmentalconditions. The Pacific silver fir/Alaskahuckleberry-salal (ABAMPJAAL-GASH), Pacificsilver fir/dwarf Oregon grape (ABAM/BENE) andPacific silver fir/salal (ABAM/GASH)associations are found at lower elevations onwarm sites bordering the western hemlock series.
The above associations are readily identified inthe field by the presence of indicator plantspecies. With continued use of the key andincreased familiarity with the associations,identification of the associations shouldrequire only a few minutes. Generallyassociations on the warmer end of theenvironmental spectrum offer the bestopportunity for intensive management, whilethose occupying the environmental extremesrequire the greatest care to insure thatapplication of silvicultural treatments does notlead to management problems.
ManagementConsiderationsManagement characteristics unique to eachassociation are summarized in Table 6. Hazardsto regeneration success are subjective estimatesof relative severity. The frost hazard isrelative assuming other factors such as slopeand topographic position are equal.Associations with the lowest frost hazard can,however, develop an increased frost hazard ifclearcutting is done in a topographic depressionwhere cold air can accumulate. The snowpackhazard combines snow depth and duration of thesnowpack. The drought hazard reflects eachassociation's soil moisture holding capacity and.evaporative demand and the resultant likelihoodof drought occurrence affecting planted treeseedlings. Selection of the suitableregeneration species in each association isbased on matching the physiologicalcharacteristics of the species with the stressfactors likely to be important in the ambientenvironment. Since frost is an importantenvironmental influence on survival and growth,recommendations are provided for slopes lessthan and exceeding 15 percent. The soilcompaction hazard is an expression of eachassociation's tendency to occur on soilssusceptible to compaction. Opportunity forintensive management is based on relativeproductivity, risks to regeneration and soilcompactability. Sites in the Pacific silver firzone and mountain hemlock zone presentopportunities for intensive management rangingfromgoodto poor. Sites offering excellentopportunity for intensive management are foundonly in the lower elevation, more productivewestern hemlock zone on the Gifford PinchotNational-Forest.
SollsThe soils present in the upper elevations of theGifford Pinchot National Forest have developedby a variety of processes. Bedrock materialswhich may function as parent materials are mosttypically andesite and basalt. Soil profilesare dominated by layers of volcanic ash andpumice from the eruptions of Mt. Rainier, Mt.
1 3
tTabie 5:
_ . _ _ _ .Environmentaf characteristics of tne upper eievation aSsoCiations of the Glfforo Plnchot Natlonal Forest
Group Association
Vegetatfon Physiography SoilEffective
Number Landform and Total Lltterof Tree Shrub Herb Elevation Slope
Rooting
Samples Cover Cover Cover Mean and RangeSlope
Aspect Mean and Range Position MeaffP:hD MeaffPihiDepth
. . . . Mean S.D.(%I 1%) (%I (Feet) (%I (Inches) (Inches) (Inches)
ColdTSMEPHAL
TSMEflEFE 10 58 65 36
TSME/VAME 13 63 42 2 9
ABAM/VAME/XETE 13 61 37 2 9
Cool
ABAM/OPHO 25 60 6 7 68
ABAM/RHAL 18 6 7 64 38
ABAM/MEFE 37 66 58 30
ABAM/VAME/CLUN 26 6 9 31 4 0
Mesic
ABAM/TIUN 36 71 39 44 3342 (1500-5000) Variable 36 (O-80) $;;; s lopes and 62 16 39 31 1.7 1.2
ABAM/ACTR-CLUN 42
42
13
17
17
73 56 50 3426 f2700-4500) W,SW,S,SE
ABAM/VAAL 6 9 13
Warm
ABAM/GASH 74 27 2631 (1100-3600) SW,S,SE,E
ABAM/BENE 77
44
50
4 0
6 6
26 3459 (2600-4600) W,SE,S,SE
ABAM/VAAL-GASH 6 9 1 7 2806 (1900-4700) Variable 22 (2-45) ‘;‘;:;a; to lower 6 1 2 4 4 4 2 3 1.8 1.0
9 61 6 8 19 4644 (4000-5300) NW,N,NE
3955 (3300-4400) NW,N,NE,E
4362 (3300-5700) W,NW,N,NE
3831 (2900-4800) W,SW,S,SE,E
3728 (2600-4600) Variable
4272 (3600-5300) NW,N,NE
3673 (2900-4500) NW,N,NE
3781 (3300-4900) W,SW,S,SE,E
3355(2500-4200) $S;,S,,
29 (B-SB) Upper slopesand flats
12 (2-43) Upper slopes,ridges and flats
22 (11-49) po;;,to l o w e r
18 (O-55) Hlddle slopes,rjdges and flats
36 (2-67) ;;E;e;lopes and
28 (4-63) Upper slopesand benches
25 (O-66) :::;a; to upper
21 (O-75) ;;;;;;sslopes and
34 (2-76) ;;@;e slopes and 53 18 33 16 1.5 0 .7
24 (2-75) Mtddle slopes 5 8 18 3 7 15 2.1 2 .0
33 (O-66) Middle to lowerslopes
36 (13-70) Middle to lowerslopes
*Calculated by plot as the sunation of (100 - X Coarse Fragments) X (Horizon Thickness) X 0.01
5 3 13 3 7 14 1.9 0.8
61 22 4 6 13 2.3 2.3
43 22 33 12 1.3 0.9
5 0 14 33 10 1.7 1.6
60 18 43 16 2.4 2.3
4 9 19 3 0 11 1.7 1.1
64 22 3 9 13 1.8 1.0
4 6 14 33 10 1.3 0 .6
6 0 18 37 14 1.2 1.1
48 16 26 1 9 1.6 0 .8
Adams, Mt. St. Helens and local cinder cones.The other major influence on soil profiles hasbeen colluvial deposition of a mixture ofmaterials from the normal erosion process.Colluvium is often interbedded with pumice.Alluvial and glacial deposits are also locallyimportant. Soils are moderately deep, averaging50 inches or more in total depth. Fairly highproportions of coarse fragments are present inthe profiles, limiting rooting space and thesoil water holding capacity.
In the area northeast of Mount St. Helens, largeamounts of lapilli compose the entire soilprofile. The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helenshave deposited additional pumice 'and ash layersof variable thickness in this area covering theformer soils and, in the case of deep deposits,burying the vegetation present. These ash andlapilli deposits are characterized by coarseparticle sizes, relatively high bulk densitiesand low nutrient content (Klock 1981). They arealso subject to substantial sheet and rillerosion (Swanson et al. 1982) in the absence ofstabilizing vegetation. Of local importance arepyroclastic flows, debris flows and mudflowswhich are also low in nutrients and quitevariable in their respective stratigraphy,texture and moisture holding properties.
Compaction is the foremost soil relatedmanagement problem in the Pacific silver firzone and mountain hemlock zone. Compaction is along lasting problem, the effects of which mayrequire many years to diminish. Susceptibilityto compaction is dependent upon the proportionof clay and silt sized particles in the soil andthe moisture content of the soil at the timetraffic occurs. Equipment design such ascatapillar tracks or high flotation tires willabate the compacting load influence to somedegree, but conventional wheels can cause 90percent of the total potential compaction damageto a susceptible soil during the first pass overa skid trail. The TSME/RHAL, ABAM/RHAL,ABAM/OPHO and ABAMfTIUN associations generallyoccur on soils which are moist during asignificant portion of the year and thereforesusceptible to compaction. Compaction in therelatively productive associations can greatlyreduce establishment success, growth and yield.High water tables characteristic of theseassociations, coupled with compaction, couldlead to overland runoff and severe erosionproblems.
Nutrient CyclingPlant nutrients, particularly nitrogen, may belimiting to growth in many of the shallow,coarse textured or rocky soils in the Pacificsilver fir zone and mountain hemlock zone.Nitrogen capital on sites with cindery andepticsdeveloped from recent volcanic ejecta deserveparticular concern in this regard. These soilsoccur widely in the high Cascades of westernWashington and are characterized by low
colloidal content, thus a low ability to retainsite nutrients. Many of the associations do notinclude nitrogen fixing plants, such asCeanothus velutinus, during early succession.
Analysis of the forest floor along an elevationtransect in the western Cascades has revealed alinear correspondence between elevation andforest floor weight (Topik 1982). At lowerelevations (western hemlock series) warmertemperatures have resulted in more rapiddecomposition rates and a lower accumulation oforganic matter upon the mineral soil (Figure 6,Topik 1982). At higher elevations (Pacificsilver fir series and mountain hemlock series)colder temperatures resulted in very slowdecomposition rates and a greater accumulationof organic matter upon the mineral soil. Aselevation increases, the forest floor becomesthe primary reservoir for site nitrogen, thusthe importance of the forest floor and the needfor its protection becomes greater (Figure 7,Topik 1982).
Nitrogen capital of Pacific silver fir andmountain hemlock sites is concentrated primarilyin the forest floor and above groundvegetation. As a result, 60 percent of the fine(feeder) roots of an upper elevation stand areconcentrated in the forest floor organichorizons which generally range from 2 to 4inches in depth (Grier et al. 1981). Coldtemperatures and excessive moisture in manyupper elevation associations result in very slowrates of nitrogen mineralization and cycling.'Intensified management practices which extractbiomass from these types at an accelerated rate,such as whole tree harvesting, or destroy theorganic horizons of the forest floor, such as .slash disposal by burning, are likely to depletesite nitrogen reserves at a pace which couldlead to decreased site productivity (Swank andW a i d e 1 9 8 0 ) .
Harvest of tree boles in upper elevationassociations generally results in a smallnitrogen loss which can generally be sustained,occurring once in each 110 to 150 yearrotation. The presence of shrubs such as Alnussinuata, which can fix 30 lbs. of nitrogen peracre per year, may aid in site recovery (Binkley1982). If harvest, however, is followed by firewhich destroys the forest floor and residualslash, 60 to 80 percent of the site's nitrogencapital may be lost (DeBell and Ralston 1970)amou ting
fto 1000 to 1400 pounds of N per
acre . Nitrogen loss through volatilizationduring burning is proportional to the amount oforganic matter consumed. Losses as modest as200 to 500 lbs. per acre, conanon during slashburning, while not as critical in moreproductive associations, can result in Ndeficiency and a depression in productivity onmore severe sites. Slash disposal on clearcutunits where fuels have had opportunity to drymay produce fires of greater local intensity on
IGrier, C..C. 1982. Unpublished data (personal communication). University of Washington. Seattle,WA 98195.
16’
Table 6: Management characteristics of the upper elevation associations of the Gifford Pfnchot National Forest
Group AssociationFrost
Hazard
RegenerationRelative Hazards Suitable Species
SoilOppo;~lmy
Snow"e%
Over Caapaction IntensivePack 15% Slope Hazard Management
ColdTWE/RHAL Hfsh
TSM/MEFE High
TSME/VAM High
ABAM/VAME/XETE High
Cool t
ABAM/MEFE Moderately high
ABAM/VAM/CLUN Moderately high
ABAWRHAL Moderately high
ABAM/CQHO Moderately high
Mesic
ABAM/TIUN Moderately high
ABAWVAAL Moderate
ABAWACTR-CLUN Moderate
Warm
ABAWVAAL-GASH Moderately low
ABAM/BENE Moderately low
ABAN/GASH Moderately low
*Useful as advanced regeneration
Hfsh LOn
High Moderately low
High Hoderately high
Moderately high Moderately high
Moderately high Moderately low
Moderate
High
Moderate
LOW
Moderately high Low
Moderately high Moderately low
Moderate Moderate
Moderately low Moderate
floderately low Moderate
Moderately low Moderately high
Moderately low Moderate
PIEN TSME* LAOC PIN0 ;;K$ ~~GCTSNE* Moderately high PoorPICO CHNW ABAW
PIEN TSME* ABAWLAOC PICO PIMO
PIMO LAOC Moderate PoorTSME* ABAW
PIMO PICO LAOCTSME* ABAW PIEN
PIm) LAOCTsME* ABAW
Moderately low Poor
PIMO PICO TSME*ABAW LAOC PEIN
PIHC ABPR ABAWLAOC TSMEf
PIMO ABPR PIEN ABAW
PIN0 PIEN TSME*MAW CHNW
jGm&P~;;HPL*
PIN0 PIEN ABPR ABAW ABPR PM PSME Moderately high Good
ABPR PIMO ABAW ABPR PSME- Moderate Good
ABPR PIMO ABAW ABPR PSNE Moderate Good
ABPR ABA*
ABPR ABAW
ABPR ABA*
ABPR PIN0 ABAWTsEE* LAOC
ABPR ABAFt* PIMI Moderate
ABPR PSNE PIMO
PIEN PIMOABPR ABAW
Moderately low
Moderately high
PIEN ABPR PSFE High
PSME ABPR THPL* Moderately low
ABPR PSME Moderately low
PSME ABPR THPL* Moderately low
Moderately low Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Poor
Good
Moderate
Good
Adams, Mt. St. Helens and local cinder cones.The other major influence on soil profiles hasbeen colluvial deposition of a mixture ofmaterials from the normal erosion process.Colluvium is often interbedded with pumice.Alluvial and glacial deposits are also locallyimportant. Soils are moderately deep, averaging50 inches or more in total depth. Fairly highproportions of coarse fragments are present inthe profiles, limiting rooting space and thesoi'l water holding capacity.
In the area northeast of Mount St. Helens, largeamounts of lapilli compose the entire soilprofile. The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helenshave deposited additional pumice and ash layersof variable thickness in this area covering theformer soils and, in the case of deep deposits,burying the vegetation present. These ash andlapilli deposits are characterized by coarseparticle sizes, relatively high bulk densitiesand low nutrient content (Klock 1981). They arealso subject to substantial sheet and rillerosion (Swanson et al. 1982) in the absence ofstabilizing vegetation. Of local importance arepyroclastic flows, debris flows and mudflowswhich are also low in nutrients and quitevariable in their respective stratigraphy,texture and moisture holding properties.
Compaction is the foremost $051 related'management problem in the Pacific silver firzone and mountain hemlock zone. Compaction is along lasting problem, the effects of which mayrequire many years to diminish. Susceptibilityto compaction is dependent upon the proportionof clay and silt sized particles in the soil andthe moisture content of the soil at the timetraffic occurs. Equipment design such ascatapillar tracks or high flotation tires willabate the compacting load influence to somedegree, but conventional wheels can cause 90percent of the total potential compaction damageto a susceptible soil during the first pass overa skid trail. The TSME/RHAL, ABAM/RHAL,ABAM/OPHO and ABAM/TIUN associations generallyoccur on soils which are moist during asignificant portion of the year and thereforesusceptible to compaction. Compaction in therel,atively productive associations can greatlyredluce establishment success, growth and yield.High water tables characteristic of theseassociations, coupled with compaction, couldleald to overland runoff and severe erosionprolblems.
Nutrient CyclingPlant nutrients, particularly nitrogen, may belimliting to growth in many of the shallow,coarse textured or rocky soils in the Pacificsilver fir zone and mountain hemlock zone.Nitrogen capital on sites with cindery andepticsdeveloped from recent volcanic ejecta deserveparticular concern in this regard. These soilsoccur widely in the high Cascades of westernWashington and are characterized by low
-
coiloidal content, thus a low ability to retainsite nutrients. Many of the associations do notinclude nitrogen fixing plants, such asCeanothus velutinus, during early succession.
Analysis of the forest floor along an elevationtransect in the western Cascades has revealed alinear correspondence between elevation andforest floor weight (Topik 1982). At lowerelevations (western hemlock series) warmertemperatures have resulted in more rapiddecomposition rates and a lower accumulation oforganic matter upon the mineral soil (Figure 6,Topik 1982). At higher elevations (Pacificsilver fir series and mountain hemlock series)colder temperatures resulted in very slowdecomposition rates and a greater accumulationof organic matter upon the mineral soil. Aselevation increases, the forest floor becomesthe primary reservoir for site nitrogen, thusthe importance of the forest floor and the needfor its protection becomes greater (Figure 7,Topik 19B2).
Nitrogen capital of Pacific silver fir andmountain hemlock sites is concentrated primarilyin the forest floor and above groundvegetation. As a result, 60 percent of the fine(feeder) roots of an upper elevation stand areconcentrated in the forest floor organichorizons which generally range from 2 to 4inches in depth (Grier et al. 1981). Coldtemperatures and excessive moisture in manyupper elevation associations result in very slowrates of nitrogen mineralization and cycling.'Intensified management practices which extractbiomass from these types at an accelerated rat+?,such as whole tree harvesting, or destroy theorganic horizons of the forest floor, such as .slash disposal by burning, are likely to depletesite nitrogen reserves at a pace which couldlead to decreased site productivity (Swank andW a i d e 1 9 8 0 ) .
Harvest of tree boles in upper elevationassociations generally results in a smallnitrogen loss which can generally be sustained,occurring once in each 110 to 150 yearrotation. The presence of shrubs such as Alnussinuata, which can fix 30 lbs. of nitrogen peracre per year, may aid in site recovery (Binkley1982). If harvest, however, is followed by firewhich destroys the forest floor and residualslash, 60 to 80 percent of the site's nitrogencapital may be lost (DeBell and Ralston 1970)mu
Pting to 1000 to 1400 pounds of N per
acre . Nitrogen loss through volatilizationduring burning is proportional to the amount oforganic matter consumed. Losses as modest as200 to 500 lbs. per acre, cdmnon during slashburning, while not as crftical in moreproductive associations, can result in Ndeficiency and a depression in productivity onmore severe sites. Slash disposal on clearcutunits where fuels have had opportunity to drymay produce fires of greater local intensity on
IGrier, C..C. 1982. Unpublished data (personal communication). University of Washington. Seattle,WA 98195.
16
I
L
F
H
2000 2600 9200 3600 4400 6000 6700
ELEVATION (FT)
Figure 6: Forest floor dry weight with increasing eievatfon(Topik 1982)
100
75
x
50
25
2000 2800 8200 3600 4400 6000 6700
ELEVATION (FT)
Figure 7: Percent of total soil organic matter and nitrogen'contained in the forest floor with increasingelevation (Topik 1982)
17
the forest floor than does wildfire in a naturalstand (Lotan et al. 1981).
Reducing fire hazard from slash, obtainingprompt regeneration and maintaining siteproductivity are objectives which seeminglyconflict. An evaluation of the environmentalconditions in the upper elevation associationsreveals the fire hazard in these types to berelatively modest when compared to the heavierfuel loadings of lower elevation forest series.The TSME associations, ABAM/RHAL and ABAN/MEFEassociations appear to be very fire resistantand function as effective fuel breaks (Hemstrom1982). Moist conditions in the upper elevationsfurther abate the fire hazard here. Burning inthe TSME/RHAL, TSME/MEFE, TSME/VAME,ABAM/VAME/XETE, ABAM/VAME/CLUN, ABAMIRHAL andABAM/MEFE associations which represent thecooler sites, where soils are relatively lessfertile, nutrient cycling proceeds at a slowrate and tree growth modest, is likely to resultin diminished site fertility and productivity.Even light burns here may seriously decreasenitrogen capital as well as kill advancedregeneration. The option to burn in theremaining associations, although potentiallyless harmful to site nitrogen reserves, shouldbe considered on a site by site basis and usinga fire intensity not exceeding "light" asdefined in Table 7 by Boyer and Dell (1980).
Table 7: Relationship of site nutrient loss and burn intensity (Boyer and Dell 1980)
Burn Intensity Surface Temperature (OC) Nitrogen Lost (X)
Light Less than 200 TraceModerate 200 to 400 50 to 75S e v e r e 400 to 500 75 to 100Very Severe Greater than 500 1 0 0
Light burn: The surface duff layer is often charred by fire but not removed. Duff, crumbled woodor other woody debris partly burned, logs not deeply charred.
In clearcuts: Surface temperature of less than 2OOoC (3900F).In underburns: Surface temperature of less than 1800C (35OoF).Surface temperature of 1770C produced soil temperature of 710C at 2.5 cm (1 in) depth.
Moderate burn: Duff, rotten wood or other woody debris partially consumed or logs may be deeplycharred but mineral soil under the ash not appreciably changed in color.
In clearcuts: Surface temperature of 2OOoC to 5OOoC (39OoF to 93OoF).In underburns: Surface temperature of 1800C to 300°C (35OoF to 59OoF).Surface terrperature of 4ODoC produced soil temperature of 1770C at 2.5 cm (1 in)
Severe burn: Top layer of mineral soil significantly.changed in color, usuallynext one-half inch blackened from organic matter charring by heattop layer.
In clearcuts: Surface temperature of greater than 5OOoC (93OoF).In underburns: Surface temperature of greater than 3OOoC (59OoF).Under.piles: Surface temperature of greater than 65OoC (12OOoF).Wildfire: Surface temperature of greater than 7600C (14OOoF).Surface temperature of 5OOoC produced soil temperature of 2880C at 2.5 cm (1 in)
18
depth.
to reddish color;conducted through
depth.
Figure 8: Frost prone areas of the upper elevations in the Cascade Range
RegenerationFrost is the single most important factoraffecting plantation establishment in the upperelevations. Frost severity and frequency areinfluenced by site factors such as elevation,aspect, slope, topography and residual thermalcover. Figure 8 illustrates areas subject tofrequent and severe frost in the upperelevations of the Cascade Range. As elevationincreases the probability of early or lateseason frosts occurring generally increases. Onsites where slope exceeds 15X, frost hazarddecreases as cold air drainage from a site isimproved. Flat topography retards aircirculation at night and cold air accumulates ineven the slightest depression. At lowerelevations where frost is less common, frostpockets may be formed by concave topography orcreated by logging which leaves a stand oftimber blocking the drainage of cold air along aslope. Reradiation of energy to the open sky onclear nights is critically important and,cotiined with cold air drainage, may createfrost pockets in unusual topographic positionssuch as mid-slope benches or smooth hillsideswith less than 15 percent slope. Temperatureinversions ,occurring in valleys can also resultin prolonged periods of frost.
The presence of certain associations can provideclues to the potential frost hazard (Halversonand Emningham 1982). Beargrass is an extremelyfrost tolerant species and severe frost problemscan be anticipated where it dominates theherbaceous layer on ridgetops, benches andslopes less than 15%. The ABAM/VAME/XETEassociation is the most frost prone in thePacific silver fir series. The TSME/VAME,TSME/MEFE and TSME/RHAL associations are alsofound on the highest frost hazard sites. TheABAM/RHAL, ABAM/MEFE and ABAM/VAME/CLUNassociations occur on sites with a moderatelyhigh frost hazard as do the ABAMfFIUN andABAM/OPHO associations where elevations exceed3500 feet. Meeting the five year post-harvestregeneration objective in these associations ismost easily achieved through managementpractices which protect natural advancedregeneration, minimize reradiation bymaintaining adequate thermal cover and allowcold air drainage away from newly reforestedsites. The remaining associations, while not asfrost prone, may occasionally occur on siteswhich are difficult to regenerate. Protectionof advanced regeneration may here be appropriateas well.
19
Choice of reproduction method may effectregeneration success by influencing the degreeof post-harvest protection afforded youngseedlings. In associations indicative ofmoderate environments (ABAMIGASH, ABAM/BENE,ABAM/VAAL-GASH, ABAM/VAAL, ABAM/OPHO, ABAMfTIUNand ABAM/ACTR-CLUN) the clearcut method may begenerally practiced with reasonable assurance ofsubsequent regeneration success. Where frostprone areas occur within these associations,clearcut unit dimensions may be reduced.to avalue not exceeding twice the height of theadjacent standing trees to enhance effectivethermal cover (Cochran 1969). Thisrecommendation is also broadly applicable to theABAM/MEFE, ABAM/RHAL and ABAM/VAME/CLUNassociations which occupy more rigorousenvironments. Associations which are found onsites of severe environment (TSME/RHAL,TSME/MEFE, TSME/VAME and ABAM/VAME/XETE) may notbe practical candidates for clearcutting if thefive year post-harvest regeneration target is tobe met.
Indiscriminant application of the clearcutmethod may further complicate reforestationefforts by stimulating growth of competingvegetation. When applied below elevations of3800 feet in associations indicative of moderateenvironments, clearcutting should be promptlyfollowed by tree planting to prevent siteoccupation by proliferating brush. If highelevation associations, which indicate severeenvironments, are clearcut, the opportunity forsite occupation by beargrass or sedgedramatically increases, often accompanied byincreased pocket gopher activity.
The use of the shelterwood method has beensuccessful in many instances in permitting theattainment of harvest goals on severe siteswhile assuring regeneration success (Hughes etal. 1979). Its use has also been effective indecreasing brush invasion, preventing increasesin forb production, discouraging pocket gopheractivity and preventing saturated soilconditions from developing on areas where highwater tables persist. Other advantages of thismethod include (1) providing a guaranteed localseed source, (2) providing site amelioration forearly and abundant regeneration, (3) affordingprotection to young seedlings which enhancestheir development prior to full exposure, (4)obtaining genetic improvement through properseed tree selection without special investments,(5) providing natural regeneration on highelevation, severe sites which frequently failwhen planted with seedlings of nursery originand (6) retarding the rate at which fuels maydry on the forest floor (Jaszkowski et al. 1975).
The forests of the Pacific silver fir zone arewell suited to the use of the shelterwood method(Hoyer 1980). Good regeneration is obtained onall aspects if canopy removal is limited to nomore than 50 percent (Williamson 1973). Besidesthe biological benefits, shelterwoodreproduction appears more economical on severesites where long regeneration delays occurfollowing clearcutting. Shelterwood has also
proven successful in and is often required forreproduction of the mountain hemlock, subalpinefir and drier portions of the grand fir andwestern hemlock series (Hoyer 1980).
Regeneration in associations typical of moderatesites can be effectively protected by leavingabout 25 percent of the initial stand basal areaon site following the shelterwood seed cut.Seedlings in associations occupying severe sitesrequire more protection which could be provided
.by leaving up to 50 percent of the inital standbasal area (see individual associationdescriptions for details). Associationsoccupying severe sites (TSME/RHAL, TSME/MEFE,TSMEflAME and ABAM/VAME/XETE) may require theshelterwood method to achieve compliance withthe 5 year post-harvest regeneration directive.On sites containing a significant cover ofbeargrass, planting of seedlings promptlyfollowing shelterwood harvest may be required asadded insurance against site occupation bycompeting vegetation (Jaszkowski et al. 1975).The ABAM/RHAL, ABAM/MEFE and ABAM/VAME/CLUNassociations may frequently require theshelter-wood method where they occur on frostprone sites. The remaining Pacific silver firassociations will only infrequently requireshelterwood application, perhaps only inlocalized frost pockets.
The shelterwood method may not. be practical onsites prone to windthrow such as exposedridgetops or in stands dominated by Engelmannspruce which are indicative of high watertables, hence shallow rooting systems (Hoyer1980). Disadvantages of this method included(1) possible higher costs and harvestingdifficulty, (2) undesirable damage to seedlings,during removal cuts, (3) restricted fuelmanagement alternatives and (4) a requiredgreater level of expertise on the part of theland manager, as well.as increased manpowerneeds in the field (Jaszkowski et al. 1975).
Group selection and single tree selection mayprovide the greatest degree of protection forthe site while encouraging stand regeneration ona continuous basis. Pacific silver firseedlings, being tolerant, have demonstratedgood growth responses following overstoryremoval (Halverson and Enraingham 1982). Thegrowth response of advanced Pacific silver firregeneration to release is highly dependent uponstem size at the time of canopy removal and theintensity of competition in the ambientpost-harvest environment. While larger diametertrees generally respond with the greater growth,thev are also more susceptible to infection bydecay fungi such as Echinodontium tinctorium.-Byretainina advanced Pacific silver fir on sitewhich are under 6 feet in height, less than 2inches in diameter and younger than 60 yearsold, a healthy and vigorous regeneration layercan be assured (Herring and Etheridge 1976).Group selection will likely favor less tolerantnoble fir and Douglas-fir. Damage to residualtrees and economics will of necessity beconsidered in prescribing selection cuttingalternatives. Given adequate care during
Q,:
! “1
: 1
F‘
ijL
: ‘.1.r
/y
L . 1
r :,i.i
I1,f::+,
2 0
harvest, the forest species in the upperelevations possess the biological capacity toproduce on a sustained yield basis under theselection system.
In addition to standing trees, slash materialsleft on site may act as effective thermal coverfor the severe environments in the upperelevations. The use of broadcast or otherburning techniques here will likely diminishregeneration success (Sullivan 1978). In theless severe associations, where regeneration is
easier and fewer management problems occur,greater flexibility exists in the use of fire,choice of reproduction method, size and shapedesign of harvest units and selection of othersilvicultural options.
Another major factor determining regenerationsuccess is tree species selection forreforestation. Since plant associationsindicate environmental conditions, they may beuseful in matching tree species to sites onwhich they can best perform. The
Table 8: Regeneration characteristics of upper elevation conifer
Species
Douglas-fir
Noble fir
Western white pine
Engelmann spruce
Western larch
Lodgepole pine
Pacific silver fir
Mountain hemlock
Alaska yellow-cedar
Western hemlock
Western redcedar
Grand fir
Suitable associations
ABAM/GASH, A8AM/BENE,ABAM/TIUN,ABAM/VAAL, ABAM/VAAL-GASH,ABAM/ACTR-CLUN, ABAM/VAME/CLUN.
All ABAM associations.
All associations except ABAM/OPHO.
ABAMfTIUN, ABAM/OPHO, ABAM/RHAL,ABAM/VAME/CLUN, ABAM/VAME/XETEand TSME associations.
ABAM/VAME/XETE, ABAM/MEFE andTSME associations.
ABAM/VAME/XETE andTSME associations.
ABAM/RHAL, ABAM/MEFE, ABAM/TIUN,ABAM/OPHO, ABAM/VAME/CLUN,ABAM/VAME/XETE and TSME associations.
ABAM/VAME/XETE, ABAM/MEFE,ABAM/RHAL and TSME associations.
TSME/RHAL, ABAM/RHAL,and ABAM/OPHO.
ABAM/GASH, ABAM/VAAL, ABAMJ'AAL-GASH,ABAM/TIUN, ABAM/OPHO, ABAM/RHAL,ABAN/VAME/CLUN.
ABAM/OPHO and warmerABAM associations.
species
Remarks
Good early growth. Slower diametergrowth in dense stands than noblefir. Frost sensitive. Do not plant onslopes less than 15% in frost proneassociations.
Slow early growth. Good sustaindiameter growth in dense stands. Donot plant on slopes less than 15% infrost prone associations.
Rapid early growth. May be planted onfrost prone sites. Use rust resistantstock.
Good growth on sites with abundant soilmoisture. Highly frost tolerant.
Probably widely adapted to upperelevations. Rapid early growth.Highly frost tolerant.
May be planted on frost prone sites or'sites or sites requiringrehabilitation.
Useful advanced regeneration on coolor frost prone sites. A majorcomponent of all ABAM associations.
Useful advanced regeneration on frostprone s.ites. Slow early growth. Cantolerate heavy snowpack conditions.
Useful advanced regeneration on frostprone sites. Requires abundant soilmoisture.
May be useful advanced regeneration.Intolerant of heavy snowpackconditions.
Useful advanced regeneration.Requires adequate soil moisture.Relatively slow growth.
A species adapted to environmentalconditions of the grand fir serieseast of the Cascade crest.
21
Table 9: Productivity summary for upper elevation associations of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Plant association
TSME/RHALTSME/MEFETSMEflAMEABAM/RHAL
No. ofplots
t
3
;[ff"':. .
250364 1;:222 116387 126
ABAM/MEFEABAM/VAME/XETEABAMjVAME/CLUNABAM/OPHO
462; 436 1;:
ii419 210554 305
ABAM/TIUN 8 330 168ABAM/ACTR-CLUN 6 381 340ABAM/VAALABAM/VAAL-GASH :i
483 149508 199
ABAM/BENE 5 312 128ABAM/GASH 6 391 187
characteristics of several conifer species andthe associations for which they are best suitedare listed in Table 8. While Douglas-fir is awidely adapted tree species, it is a moresuccessful species in the western hemlock zone.When planted in the Pacific silver fir zone, itis best confined to lower elevation, warmer,south aspects and the less severe associations.Noble fir also does well in these associationsand in many cases may be preferred overDouglas-fir. Noble fir is more frost tolerantthan Douglas-fir and can also be planted atsomewhat higher elevations. Noble fir isparticularly suited to south aspect sites whichare clrell drained with slopes exceeding 15percent. Western white pine can be planted onflats or plateaus which are extremely frostprone. Rust resistant planting stock should beutilized. Engelmann spruce may be planted on',;;;z prone areas or on sites with a high water
Western larch is a fast growing andfrost-resistant species which may be planted ina number of upper elevation associations.Lodgepole pine is extremely frost hardy specieswhich may be planted on areas requiringrehabilitation. Pacific silver fir is valuableas advanced regeneration on a variety of sites.Mountain hemlock may also be useful as advancedregeneration and can tolerate heavy snowpacksand extreme cold. Alaska yellow-cedar may beinfrequently useful as advanced regeneration inassociations which occupy moist sites. Westernhemlock can be useful as advanced regenerationon moist north aspects. Western redcedar isuseful advanced regeneration in warmer Pacificsilver fir associations. Grand fir is a species
Trees peracre incurrentStand
Quad. meandiameter
(in.)
Stand basal
(ft"&Mean S.D.
194 46140 84158 5599 31
131 51160 53156 123116 41142 51152 126162 71254 150141 34217 149
&an .S:D.
258232221233249285272325305269259295256271
poorly adapted to the environmental conditionsof the Pacific silver fir zone.
ProductivityandStocking .Productivity varies considerably amonassociations in the upper elevations 9
the plantTable 9).
Stand production data collected.during the 1982field season were based on measurements ofdominant and codominant trees. Threeindependent methods were employed to estimatestand productivity: volume index, SD1 volumeincrement and current volume increment.
Volume index (VI) is computed as a product ofsite index (SI) and growth basal area (GBA): VI* SI x GBA x 0.005. Since both SI and GBA areindexed to age 100 (Hall 1983), volume index isan expression of potential volume growth fornormally stocked, even aged stands at age 100.While not a precise estimator of volume growth,it serves as an index of relative productionamong associations.
SD1 volume increment is computed by a series ofequations which relate the actual production(Pa) of a sampled stand to the profuction(Pn) of a "normally" stocked stand : Pa =Pn (SDIa/SDIn). This method was developedto discriminate between stands which arecommercial (20 ft.3/A/yr) and those which areflat .
The final method used to estimate volumeproduction, current volume increment, is basedon tree growth regression equations2.Briefly, volume for overstory trees is estimated
IKnapp, W. A. 1981. Unpublished in-house paper on file with USDA Forest Service, Pacific NorthwestRegion. Portland, OR 97208. 6 pp.
2Hemstrom, M. A. 1982. Unpublished growth simulation model for upper elevation conifers (personalcommunication). USDA Forest Service. Eugene, OR 97401.
22
StandDensityIndex
(trees/A)Mean S.D.
396 81338 111333 93317 36354 68411 97380 62428 63421 69375 57379 71451 75367 59408 120
SD1Volume
Inc ement5';,,";Y;'
. .
80 3575 2273 2075 16104 28111 55101 25166 41147 54140 31105 24131 3973 29
100 29
CurrentVolume
Inc ement'~$A;Y;'
. .
69 1257 2870 2866 28
:: fP61 1575 2988 40105 36
zi 22950 1293 20
by equations of the form V = a(D2H)k where Vis volume, D is diameter at breast height, H istree height and a and k are empirically derivedconstants specific to each species. Volumeincrement during the last decade is estimated bysubtraction of present overstory volume andoverstory volume ten years ago. Understoryvolume is estimated from the relationship CG,= BAU (CGo/BAo) where CGu and CGo arelast ten years radial increment and BAu andBAo are the mean diameter at breast height ofunderstory and overstory, respectively. Thestand volume is determined by summation of thecomponent estimates. Current volume incrementis an estimate of the mean annual volumeincrement over the past 10 years of sampledstands. The values computed by this model areestimates of net production, not includingmortality, of natural, mixed species stands.Since most of our sampled stands were old (i.e.,over 250 years), mean values for current growth(Table 9) represent growth rates of older stands.
These three volume estimates, can be arrayedalong the temperature and moisture gradientswhich influence the distribution of plantassociations (Figure 9). Volume index valuesgenerally exceed those for SD1 volume increment;they both represent potential production nearculmination. Current volume increment values,on the other hand, are lower than SD1 volumeincrements and volume index because theyrepresent volume production in stands (of age222 to 554 years) which are past culmination age.
Generally, no matter which volume growthestimator is employed, plant associations may begrouped into three productivity classes. Highproduction is observed in the ABAM/TIUN,ABAM/OPHO and ABAM/ACTR-CLUN associations wherea favorable environment occurs, as characterizedby adequate moisture, deep soils and a rich herbcover. Low production is observed in theTSME/RHAL, TSME/MEFE, TSMEIVAME and ABAM/RHALassociations where cold soil and air
ABAMVolume
I dex9&/A~;)
. .
113 4499 26
108 42100 22158 42134 39122 62227 67189 60146 21126 33161 77117 --167 84
ABAMGrowth
Basa12Area21;. (A;
. .
245 61211 58246 104214 21285 49253 61253 109343 82322 83259 13250 63293 105252324 1;i
HerbaceousProduction(Its/A)
Mean S.D.
678 373350 351507 485337 178258 179255 319514 276
1132 5141068 955488 226202 191206 246576 404162 141
temperatures, heavy snowpacks and shortergrowing seasons limit growth and in theABAM/BENE association where shallow, rocky soilson southern exposures may contribute to growingseason drought stress. Moderate productionlevels observed in the ABAM/MEFE,ABAM/VAME/XETE, ABAM/VAME/CLUN, ABAMiVAAL,ABAM/VAAL-GASH and ABAM/GASH represent a broadrange of intermediate environments. Thesegroupings are relative to the Pacific silver firzone and do not directly correspond to thenational standard.
The height growth patterns of the major treespecies vary considerably among the aboveproductivity groups (Figure 10). Although somestands were 500 or more years old, most futurestands will be managed.on rotations of 150 yearsor less. Stand volume production is not only aresult of height growth patterns, but is alsogreatly influenced by stand density and diametergrowth. Growth performance of different treespecies seems to be well related to plantassociation. This point is further illustratedby the empirically derived height-age curves inAppendix II. From data collected on the forest,these curves were developed using a nonlinearpolynomial curve fitting technique (Dixon 1981)for the natural growth function f(x) =a(l-e-bx) where x is tree age; f(x) is treeheight, a is the maximum value for height, b isthe rate at which tree height approaches themaximum and e is the natural log constant(Parton and Innis 1972). Note that theempirically derived curves do not fit many ofthe height-age curves currently in use. Theshape of height-age curves also changes withinspecies over different plant associations. Ourconclusion is that the shape of a height growthcurve for a species will change as environmentalfactors become more severe.
Data for annual volume increment plotted againststand age paralled trends for height growth inAppendix II. Volume increment during the recent
23
\I1
‘h’
I \I\
\ IL \ ,D a
n 4
\
24
zoo-
160 -
ml -140 -EIZQ-u!z0 loo-$
60-
60-
40-
ZO-
: RLUVWIIUN: AEVWACTRUUN::I Regcrardonsqutdions..- Pste lit = 1978 (l-e~~“q
.: ABAM lit = 146.4 (w-y
: PBPRHt - 163.o(w-y.
: TSHE: Ht. = 163.6 (I-@-“1
, I I
01
50 100 150 2 0 0 2 6 0 3 0 0 3 6 0 400 450 500AGE 0-s)
160
140
f 11
PY
80,
6 0
40.
20.
ModemlePmduc6onAssociationsA%AMlMEE
-cl-Eq-sPSME: lit. = 1692(l-e”~“~9A&w: l-a. = 1292(l-e-3~“‘)ABPFl: HI. = 151.3 (I#-‘““)TSHE: lit. = 137.6 (l-e*““+‘)
L I0 I50 100 150 2 0 0 2 5 0 300 350 4 0 0 450 so0
AGE (Yeats)
g la-u_5 loo-P= 60-
60-
40-
ZO-
........................................................
~~
-9-BPSME: Ht = 132.0 (l-e”““@“)ABAMHt = r21a(l-e4--qTSME: Ht. = 118.0 (l-a”-@“)TSHE: lit. = 126.4 (l-emmy
Fi gure 1 0 : H E I G H T G R O W T H C O M P A R I S O N A M O N G IMPORTANTTIMBER S P E C I E S I N H I G H , M O D E R A T E A N D L O W ’P R O D U C T I O N U P P E R E L E V A T I O N A S S O C I A T I O N S
25
decade wfs computed using the method ofHemstrom and graphed against stand age foreach sampled plot. The resulting curves werehand fitted to the data to obtain estimates ofvolume growth over a broad range of stand ages.Volume production for all species combined inthe high production a sociations culminates atan average of 140 ft. 5 /A/yr at age 110.Culmination averages 95 ft.3/A/yr at age 125inft. 5
he moderate production associations and 75/A/yr at age 150 in the low production
associations. As site severity increasesoverall production decreases and age toculmination increases.
The following should be considered ininterpreting the seeming similarity inproductivity for the many upper elevationassociations. (1) The similarity inproductivity estimates among associations may bea result of the similar nature of the soils andclimate. (2) Estimates were based on treesaveraging over 250 years old, which may notdirectly reflect the conditions present in themanaged stands of the future. Better estimatesof actual productivity may be obtained bymeasuring somewhat younger, more vigorouslygrowing stands. (3) The standard (height overage) growth curves available may give erroneousindication of similarities among theassociations. The'volume index and SD1 volumeincrement estimates both rely on site indexcurves constructed with data from a widegeographical area. Studies have shown thatheight growth patterns of Douglas-fir (Means1980) and mountain hemlock (Johnson 1980) differwith environmental factors associated withelevation and moisture. (4) Natural lags inregeneration may produce apparent similaritiesin productivity. There may be little differenceamong associations once stands becomeestablished, however, delay time required forregeneration to become established may vary byassociation. Lower elevation sites are morelikely to regenerate within a five year periodwith trees growing well itmaediately followingestablishment. On upper elevation sitesregeneration establishment may be delayed for upto 10 to 20 years and seedling growth may bevery slow for the first 20 to 50 years followingestablishment. This slow period of growth mayresult in lower stand performance than would bepredicted by currently available computer growthsimulation models, necessitating longerrotations in associations characteristic of themore severe sites. Growth may increase on highelevation sites once tree crowns attain aposition above the winter snowpack. Neither thedelay time for establishment nor the time toreach breast height or overtop the wintersnowpack were here considered in estimatingproductivity.
Stocking naturally varies among sites ofdiffering environmental severity. Management
practices which lead to degradation of sitequality may lead to a reduction in stocking.Factors such as effective rooting depth, degreeof exposure, prevalence of brush and occurranceof fire are among the factors which mayinfluence post-harvest stocking. Sullivan(1978) reported post-harvest stocking rates onsites occupied by the severe ABAM/VAME/XETE andTSME associations to be half of those found onsites characterized by warmer associations.This was a result of the heightenedenvironmental severity of clearcut highelevation sites.
Stocking differences among associations may alsobe related to planting stock selection. Certaintree species, such as noble fir, demonstrate theability to grow better in closed canopysituations than do others, such as Douglas-fir.Selecting species which are physiologicallyadapted to the environmental conditionsindicated by various associations will be acritical step in the management process leadingto adequate stocking, successful regenerationand sustained timber production on upperelevation sites.
lHemstrom, M. A. 1982.communication).
Unpublished growth simulation model for upper elevation conifers (personalUSDA Forest Service. Eugene, OR 97401.
26
Key to Plant Associations
Use of ttie UeyThe following key was designed as an aid inidentifying the upper elevation associations ofthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest andvicinity. Environmental and managementinformation applicable to a given site isaccessed by identifying the association usingthe key, then referring to the detailedassociation description.
The steps in using the key are1 . Select a vegetationally uniform area
about 25 feet (8 meters) in radius or0.05 acre (0.02 ha) in size. The plotshould be representative of a largerarea of reasonably homogeneousvegetation.
2. First identify and list tree, shrub andherb species, then estimate the coverof each. Cover is estimated to thenearest percent, up to 10 percent coverand to the nearest 5 percentthereafter. Walk around the plot area.
3. Work step by step through theassociation key to a preliminaryidentification.
4. Review the association description toverify the identification.
5. Only after verification, note themanagement considerations for theassociation.
It is important to follow these steps rigorouslysince misidentification may lead to the wrongmanagement considerations. The key is designedto be used in sequence. Always start at thebeginning of the key and work systematicallythrough.
The associations described in this guide arebased on plot data collected throughout theforest and represent conceptual abstractions.In practice, few stands will conform exactly tothe typical association description. Becausevegetation varies continuously over thelandscape, ecotones of transitional composition,which do not fit neatly into any describedassociation, will be encountered. Sue? ecotonesshould be managed according to thecharacteristics of the associations betweenwhich they fall. In most cases, adjacentassociations have similar managementproperties. There are about 50 common herb andshrub species used in the key and associationdescriptions. Table 10 contains theabbreviations, scientific and comnon names usedin this guide.
27
--
Key to the plant associations and ecoclass codes for the upper elevation series, Gifford Pinchot NationalForest
1.
1’.
2.
2’.
3.3’.
1;.
5.5’.
:; .
:;.
b.
9.
9’.
:o”;.
::;.
12.12’.
:33;.
2.
15.
15’.
Tree
Tree
cover in stand projected to stable state* containsless than 10% ADAM and less than 10% TSME . . . . . . .not included in keycover in stand projected to stable state containsat least 10% ABAM and/or 10% TSME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tree
Tree
cover in stand projected to stable state containsat least 10% TSME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain Hemlock Series 3cover in stand projected to stable state containsless than 10% TSME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pacific Silver Fir Series 6
RHAL cover 5% or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TSME/RHALRHAL cover lessthan5%......................
MEFEMEFE
covercover
VAMEVAME
covercover
5% or more . . . . . . TSME/MEFElessthan5%.....:: 1::: 1:::: I.....
5% or more . . . . . . . . TSME/VAMEless than 5% . . . . . . . 1 : : : : : :undescribed TSME
OPHO coverOPHO cover
5 % o r m o r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . AEAM/OPHOlessthan5%............: 1 : : : . . . . .
RHALRHAL
covercover
5% or more . . . . . ABAM/RHALlessthan5%....::: I::::::::: . . . . .
MEFEMEFE
covercover
5% or more . . . . . . . . . . . . ABAM/MEFElessthan5%...........::::: I.....
TIUN
TIUN
coveralongcover
5% or more; or TIUN cover at least 1%with at least two wet site herbs . . . . . . . ABAM/TIUNless than 5% and less
VAALVAAL
GASHGASH
GASHGASH
BENEBENE
VAMEVAME
than two wet site herbs present . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
plus VAOV cover 5% or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .plus VAOV cover less than 5% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
cover 2% or more .ABAM/VAAL-GASHcover less than 2%............... : : .......... . . . ABAM/VAAL
cover 2% or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ABAM/GASHcover less than 2% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
cover 5% or more ABAM/BENEcover less than 5%............................. : : : . . . . .
cover 5% or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cover less than 5%; cover of herb layer at least 10%including ACTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ABAM/ACTR-CLUN
Ecoclass
Several herbs other than XETE present, usually includingCLUN and ACTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ABAM/VAME/CLUN
XETE most prominent herb; other herbsinconspicuous . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ABAM/VAME/XETE
Association. . . . . 4
Association. . . . . 5
AssociationAssociation
Association. . . . . 7
Association. . . . . 8
Association. . . . . 9
Association
CM SZ-23 (page 70)
CM SZ-21 (page 69)
CM SZ-10 (page 68) .
CF S3-51 (page 62)
CF S5-50 (page 63)
CF S2-54 (page 64)
CF Fl-52 (page 61)
. . . . 10
. . . . .. . . . .::
AssociationAssociation
Association. . . . .13
Association. . . . .14
. . . . .15
Association
CF SZ-55 (page 60)CF S2-57 (page 59)
CF Sl-52 (page 55)
CF Sl-51 (page 56)
CF FZ-53 (page 57)
Association CF S2-56 (page 65)
Association CF SZ-51 (page 66)
*Stand conditions at age 300 or more.
28
Table 10: List of TRI abbreviations, scientific and common names of trees, shrubs and herbs used in thekey and association descriptions1
Trees
TRIcodes
ABAM*ABGRABLAZABPRCHNOLAOCPIENPICOPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME*
Shrubs
TRIcodes- -
ACCX*ACGLDARNEBENE*CEVECHMECHUMcococCONUGAOVGASH*HODIMEFE*OPHO*PAMYRHAL*RHMARHDIRILAROGY*RULARULERUN1RUPARUPERUSPRUURSOS1
ELvAAL*VAMEfVAOV*VAPA*VAX
Scientific name
Abies amabilisAbies grandisAbies lasiocarpaAbies proceraChamaecyparis nootkatensisLarix occidentalisPicea engelmanniiPinus contortaPinus monticolaPseudotsuga menziesiiTaxus brevifoliaThuja plicataTsuga heterophyllaTsuga mertensiana
Scientific name- - -
Acer circinatumAcer glabrum var. douglasiiArctostaphylos nevadensisBerberis nervosaCeanothus velutinusChimaphila menziesiiChimaphila umbellataCorylus cornuta var. californicaCornus nuttalliiGaultheria ovatifoliaGaultheria shallonHolodiscus discolorMenziesia ferrugineaOplopanax horridumPachistima myrsinitesRhododendron albiflorumRhododendron macrophyllumRhus diversilobaRibes lacustreRosa gymnocarpaRubus lasiococcusRubus leucodermisRubus nivalisRubus parviflorusRubus pedatusRubus spectabilisRubus ursinusSorbus sitchensisSymphoricarpos mollisVaccinium speciesVaccinium alaskenseVaccinium membranaceumVaccinium ovalifoliumVaccinium parvifoliumVaccinium scoparium
Common name
Pacific silver firGrand firSubalpine firNoble firAlaska yellow-cedarWestern larchEngelmann spruceLodgepole pineWestern white pineDouglas-firPacific yewWestern redcedarWestern hemlockMountain hemlock
Common name- -
Vine mapleDouglas Rocky Mt. maplePinemat manzanitaDwarf Oregon grapeSnowbrushLittle prince's pinePrince's pineCalifornia hazelPacific dogwoodWintergreenSalalOcean-sprayFool's huckleberryDevil's clubOregon boxwoodCascades azaleaPacific rhododendronPoison oakPrickly currantBaldhip RoseDwarf brambleWhitebark raspberrySnow dewberryWestern thimbleberryFive leaf brambleSalmonberryTrailing blackberrySitka mountain ashTrailing snowberryHuckleberry speciesAlaska huckleberryBig huckleberryOvalleaf whortleberryRed huckleberryGrouse huckleberry
Indicatorvalue
warm
warm, drywarm
warm, dry
warm, drywarm, drycoolwetwarmcold, wet
warm, dry
warm
warm, wetwarmcoolwarm
cool
warmcold, dry
29
Herbs TRIcodes
ACTR*ACRUADBI*ADPE"ANDEANLY2AQFOARCAJARMAARLAASCA3
z**CABU2CASCPCIALCIRSICLUN*COLACOMA3COCA*DIFOD I H OEQAR*FRAGAGAORGATR*GOOBGYDR*HIALHYCAHYMOIRTELIBO2"LIB0LUZULMIBR*MOSI*OSCHOXOR*PERAPOAPOMU*PTAQPYPIPYSEPYASSAME3"SMRA*SMSTSTROTIUN*TRLA2TROVVASI*VAHE*VECAV IGLVIOR2VISEXETE*
Scientific name
Achlys triphyllaActaea rubraAdenocaulon bicolorAdiantum pedatumAnemone deltoideaAnemone lyalliiAquilegia formosaAralia californicaArenaria macrophyllaArnica latifoliaAsarum caudatumAthyrium filix-feminaBlechnum spicantCalypso bulbosaCampanula scouleriCircaea alpinaCirsium speciesClintonia unifloraCoptis laciniataCorallorhiza maculataCornus canadensisDicentra formosaDisporum hookeriEquisetum arvenseFragaria soeciesGalium oreganumGalium triflorumGoodyera oblongifoliaGynmocarpium dryopterisHieracium albiflorumHydrophyllum capitatumHypopitys monotropaIris tenaxLinnaea borealisListera borealisLuzula speciesMitella breweriMontia sibiricaOsmorhiza chilensisOxalis oreganaPedicularis racemosaPoa speciesPolystichum munitumPteridium aquilinumPyrola pictaPyrola secundaPyrola asarifoliaSaxifraga mertensianaSmilacina racemosaSmilacina stellataStreptopus roseusTiarella unifoliata**Trientalis latifoliaTrillium ovatumValeriana sitchensisVancouveria hexandraVeratrum californicumViola glabellaViola orbiculataViola senipervirensXerophyllum tenax
Common name
VanillaleafBaneberryPathfinderMaidenhair fernThreeleaf anemoneNine leaved anemoneSitka columbineCalifornia araliaBluntleaf sandwortBroadleaf arnicaWildgingerLadyfernDeerfernCalypso orchidScouler's bluebellAlpine circaeaThistleQueencup beadlilyCutleaf goldthreadCoralrootDogwood bunchberryPacific bleedingheartFairybellsCommon horsetailStrawberryOregon bedstrawSweetscented bedstrawRattlesnake plantainOak fernW h i t e hawkweedBallhead waterleafPinesapOregon irisTwinflowerTwaybladeLuzulaBrewer miterwortSiberian montiaSweet cicelyOregon oxalisSickletop pedicularisBluegrassWestern swordfernBracken fernWhitevein pyrolaSidebells pyrolaAlpine pyrolaMertens saxifrageFeather solomonolumeStarry solomonpiumeRosv twistedstalkCooiwort foamflowerWestern starflowerPacific trilliumSitka valerianWhite inside-out flowerCalifornia falsehelleborePioneer violetVetch violetRedwoods violetBeargrass
Indicatorvalue
warm, mesic
wetmoist
moist
moistmoist
moist, cool
moist, disturbed
moist
coolwarmwarm
moist .5#moist
moist
warm, mesicdisturbance
moistmoistmoist
moistmoist, warmmoist
moist
cold, dry
l"Northwest Plant Names and Symbols for Ecosystem Inventory and Analysis" Garrison et al. (1976) and"Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest" Hitchcock et al. (1977).
*Diagnostic, used in key as an important indicator plant (see following illustrations).**Also referred to as TITRU Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata.
30
Figure 11:On the following pages are found the importanttimber and indicator plants commonly found in theupper elevations of the Gifford Pinchot NationalForest (PLANT ILLUSTRATIONS REPRODUCED WITHPERMISSION FROM HITCHCOCK ET AL. VASCULAR PLANTSOF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. Copyrights: 1969Part 1, 1964 Part 2, 1961 Part 3, 1959 Part 4,1955 Part 5).
31
Abies amabilis
Pacific silver fir
ABAM
Abics grandis
Grand fir
ABGR
6 Figure 11 continued
.,
Abies lasiocarpa
Subalpine fir
AEaA
Abies procera
Noble fir
ABPR
11 continued
33
1
i
‘4
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
Alaska yellow-cedar
CHNO
occidentalis
'n larch
-.Figure 11 continued
34
Picea engelmannii
Engelmann spruce
PIEN
Pinus contorta
Lodgepole pine
PICO
Figure 11 continued
35
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Douglas-fir
PSME
Pinus monticola- -
Western white pine
PIMO
Figure 11 continued
36
b r e v i f o l i aTaxus
Pacific yew
TABR .
plicataThuja
Western redcedar
THPL
Figure 11 continued
37
.
heterophyllaTsuga
Western hemlock
TSHE
Tsuga tiertensiana
Mountain hemlock
TSME
Figure 11 continued
38
Acer circinatum
Vine maple
ACCI
Berberis nervosa
Dwarf Oregon grape
BENE
Figure 11 continued
39
Gaultheria shallan-
Salal
GASH
Menziesia ferruginea
Fool's huckleberry
MEFE
Figure 11 continued
Qplopanax horridurn
Devil's club
OPHO
Rhododendron albiflorum
Cascades azalea
RHAL
Figure 11 continued
'41
Rosa gymnocarpa
Baldhip rose
ROGY
9_... .3.0
Vaccinium alaskense
Alaska huckleberry
VAAL
Figure 11 continued
42
Vaccinium membranaceum
Big huckleberry
VAMP,
Vaccinium parvifolium
Red huckleberry
VAPA
Vaccinium ovalifolium
Ovalleaf whortleberry
VAOV
Figure 11 continued
43
t r i p h y l l aAchlys
Vanillaleaf
ACTR
.
Adenocaulon bicolor
Pathfinder
ADBI
Figure 11 continued
44
Adiantum pedatum
Maidenhair fern
ADPE
Athyrium filix-femina
Ladyfem
ATFI
Figure 11 continued
45
Blechum spicant
Deerfern
BLSP
Clintonia uniflora
Queencup beadlily
CLUN
Figure 11 continued
46
Cornus canadensis
Dogwood bunchberry
COCA
Galium triflorum
Sweetscented bedstraw
GATR
Equisetum arvense
Common horsetail
EQAR
Figure 11 continued
47
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Woodfern
GYDR
Linnaea borealis
Twinflower
LIB02
Figure 11 continued
48
Mitella breweri- -
Brewer miterwort
M I B R
Montia sibirica- -
Siberian montia
MOSI
Figure 11 continued
49
Oxalis oregana
Oregon oxalis
OXOR
Polystichum mkitum
Western swordfern
POMU
Figure 11 continued
Saxifraga mertensiana
Mertens saxifrag
SAME3
Smilacina racemosa
False solomonseal
SMRA
Figure 11 continued
51
Tiarella unifoliata
Coolwort foamflower
TIUN
Valeriana sitchensis
Sitka valerian
VASI
Figure 11 continued
52
Vancouveria hexandra
White inside-out flower
VA?lE
Xerophyllum
Beargrass
XETE
tenax
Figure 11 continued
53
Detaiiled Description of Plant Associations
Terms used include cover and constancy. Coveris the percent of the ground area covered by theleaves of the species within the 0.05 acre (0.02ha) plot. Constancy is the percentage of plotsin that type which contained the species. Thus,50 percent cover of VAME with 75 percentconstancy means that VAME was present on 75percent of the plots in the association and onthose plots, it has an average of 50 percentcover.
Productivity for each tree species found tooccur in an association is expressed in terms ofvolume index and current volume increment.Volume index (VI), a relative measure of speciesgrowth performance, is a product of species siteindex (SI) or height at age 100 and growth basalarea (GBA) which is the basal area (ft.*/A) ofliving trees at which dominants radially grow10/2Oths inch per decade at age 100 (Hall19883): VI = SI x GBA x 0.005. Volume index isan estimate of the relative growth potential ofa stairid composed of a single tree species at age100, adjusted for stocking levels, and is anindicator of the relative productivity amongdifferent tree species on the same site.Current volume increment is an expression of therecent 10 year growth of each species, given therelative species stocking proportions whichcurrently exist. The sum of individual speciesvolume growth values is an estimate of thecurrent volume growth for a typical stand in agiven association. Ages of the populationsmeasured ranged from 82 to 565 years. Currentvolume increments wer
fcomputed using a method
adapted from Hemstrom based on regressionequations developed for tree species in theCascade Range. It should be noted that currentvolume increment varies with stand age, speciescomposition and stocking level on a given site,thus the data presented for one species is notdirectly comparable to others. These values do,however, present a breakdown of the relativecontribution of each species to stand volumegrowth on upper elevation sites as theycurrently exist in the field. The remainingspecies characteristics of age, diameter atbreast height, site index, growth basal area andcurrent radial increment are listed to providethe manager a more detailed description ofstands found in each plant association.
Pacific Silver FirlSalal Association (CF Sl-52)ABAIWGASHThe Pacific silver fir-salal association occursnear the transition zone where both Pacificsilver fir and western hemlock successfully
regenerate. It is characterized by a prominentshrub layer conposed mainly of the warm siteshrubs. This association generally occurs atlower elevations on south-facing slopes andpresents good management opportunities except onsteep slopes.
CompositionandStructureDouglas-fir, western hemlock and Pacific silverfir dominate the overstory, averaging 28, 21 and14 percent cover respectively (Table 25).Mature astern redcedar is present in over halfof the stands, generally with about 15 percentcover. Noble fir is present in small amounts atelevations generally above 3000 feet. Pacificsilver fir and western hemlock dominate theregeneration layer, averaging about 10 percentcover each.
Presence of both salal (GASH) and dwarf Oregongrape (BENE) characterize this associafion.Other warm site shrubs are also characteristic,including one or more of the following: baldhiprose (ROGY), red huckleberry (VAPA), vine maple(ACCI), trailing biackberry (RUUR) and prince'spine (CHUM). Together with BENE and GASH thewarm site shrubs average about 50 percentcover. Although other species of Vacciniu;nm;ybe present, they generally average less thpercent cover.
In the herb layer, twinflower (LIBO2) is themost constant species, ranging between 2 and 10percent cover. Vanillaleaf (ACTR) also occursregularly and averages about 3 percent cover.Other herbs which occurred in.nearly 50 percentof the stands sampled were western swordfern(POMU), beargrass (XETE), rattlesnake plantain(GOOB), alpine pyrola (PYAS), Pacific trillium(TROV) and dogwood bunchberry (COCA). Theaverage total herb cover is 27 percent. Themoss layer occupied an average of 30 percentcover.
PhysiographyandSoilsGenerally occurring on 0 to 66 percent slopes(Table 31), this association is found most oftenon south or east-facing slopes at lowerelevations. Over 70 percent of the plots werebelow 3000 feet (average elevation 2631 feet).Soils averaged 60 inches in total depth.Effective rooting depth averaged 37 inches. Theaverage profile had one or more pumice layers ontop of colluvial or glacial deposits. Only 20percent of the soil profiles had developed inplace. Extrusive igneous rocks, such asandesite and basalt, were the bedrock inthree-quarters of our plots. Typically
lHemstrom, M.A.communication).
1982. Unpublished growth simulation model for upper elevation conifers (personalUSDA Forest Service. Eugene, OR 97401.
55
Table 11: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/salal association-
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number
OfCoredTrlee Species Trees-
Noble fir 8 93 2 12Pacific silver fir :5" ;x 16 10Western hemlock 14 1 1Douglas-fir 30 9 1 1 5 6
encountered TRI soil mapping units included 34,43, 57, 378 and 412.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsDverall productivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/salal association. Thesite index values are highest here for westernhe!mlock (99) and Pacific silver fir (99) whilethiose for noble fir (93) and Douglas-fir (91)are somewhat lower (Table 11). Although currentvolume in most of these stands is dominated byw!stern hemlock, Douglas-fir and noble fir, accmparison of volume index data indicates thatnatble fir is potentially the most productivespecies in this association. Noble firmaiintains good rates of diameter growth atre!latively high stocking levels.
This association has good potential forintensive timber management, except on steepslopes in dissected topography. Clearcuttingmay be widely used. Where frost pockets developonI sites with slopes less than 15 percent, ashelterwood leaving about 25 percent of theinitial basal area (or 70 to 80 ft2/A) shouldprovide adequate protection for seedlings.Generally, however, shelterwood is not needed tosuccessfully regenerate this association. BothDouglas-fir and noble fir are suitable timberspiecies in this type. At lower elevations onslopes greater than 15 percent, Douglas-fircould be planted exclusively without fear offrost. At elevations above 3000 feet, noble firand Douglas-fir may be planted in equal amountswhlere there is no frost danger.
ComparisonsThe ABAM/GASH association most closely resemblesthle ABAM/GASH habitat type described by Franklinet al. (1979) for Mt. Rainier National Park.Vine maple is important here, but was not at Mt.Ralinier. Franklin (1966) described an ABAM/GASHtype in the Mt. Rainier Province, which-is alsosimilar. Beargrass is not as consistent or asimportant in the association described here asit was in either of the previousclassifications. Henderson and Peter (1981)described a similar ABAM/GASH type for thenorthern Washington Cascades. Appendix IVcontains floristic data averaged for the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie and Gifford Pinchot NationalForests for this association.
4 389 211 180 93 6 25 3178 67 324 124 167 84 286 16 19 4 1524 290 59 142 20 40 13 22 6 171 E4 253 104 116 49 35 16 28 8 276 142
Pacific Silver Fir/Dwarf Oregon Grape Association(CF Sl-51)ABAMlBENEThe Pacific silver fir/dwarf Oregon grapeassociation is similar to the Pacific silverfir/salal association except that salal iseither lacking or inconspicuous. Warm siteshrubs dominate the shrub layer and the herblayer is usually minor. In spite of itsrelatively low productivity (Table 12), thisassociation should respond well to moderatelyintensive timber management and produce goodstands of Douglas-fir and noble fir.
CompositionandStructureStands are dominated by western hemlock,Douglas-fir and Pacific silver fir with 32, 25and 15 percent average cover, respectively(Table 25). Noble fir occurs in about 30percent of the stands with 10 percent averagecover and western redcedar in about 50 percentof the stands with 7 percent cover. Pacificsilver fir and western hemlock generally .reproduce about equally well, averaging 11percent cover each. Western redcedarregenerated sporadi'cally in 41 percent of ourstands.
Warm site shrubs dominate the shrub layer, whichaverages 40 percent total cover. Dwarf Oregongrape (BENE) cover is often 10 to 20 percent.Prince's pine (CHUM), vine maple (ACCI), baldhiprose-(ROGY), red huckleberry (VAPA) and Oregonboxwood (PAMY) are other shrubs from the warmgroup which occur more or less frequently. CHUMand ACCI occurred in over 75 percent of ourplots and together comprised 15 to 20 percentcover. Vaccinium species are often present,especially big huckleberry (VAME) and ovalleafwhortleberry (VAOV), but generally occupy less.than 5 percent cover. Trailing blackberry(RUUR), dwarf bramble (RULA) and little prince'spine (CHME) are common with less than 2 percentaverage cover.
The herbaceous layer averages 26 percent cover.Twinflower (LIB02) is the most characteristicherb with 82 percent constancy and 4 percentaverage cover. Dogwood bunchberry (COCA) andsidebells pyrola (PYSE) are frequently presentin small amounts and beargrass (XETE),vanillaleaf (ACTR), queencup beadlily (CLUN),Pacific trillium (TROV) and alpine pyrola (PYAS)all occur in more than 50 percent of the plots,but only COCA, ACTR and XETE have more than 5
Table 12: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/dwarf Oregon grape association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number
OfCoredTree Species Trees
Pacific silver fir 89 6Western hemlock 1: ;Noble fir iii ;Douglas-fir 2; 78 15 5
percent average cover. Other comnon herbsinclude rattlesnake plantain (GOOB), coolwortfoamflower (TIUN) and vetch violet (VIOR2). Themoss layer is often lush and averages 23 percentcover.
PhysLographyandSoilsOccurring on slopes averaging 36 percent between2600 and 4600 feet elevation (Table 31), mostplots had south to west aspects. Few werenorth-facing. About half the plots were onsteep, dissected terrain while the other halfwere on more gentle, rolling topography. Thesoils averaged 48 inches in total.depth.Effective rooting depth averaged 26 inches. Themost common profiles were pumice layers mixedwith colluvium or glacial till over andesite orbasalt bedrock. Typically encountered TRI soilmapping units included 25, 26, 31, 41 and 92.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivitj is low for stands in thePacific silver fir/dwarf Oregon grapeassociation. Site index values are highest herefor western hemlock (92) and Pacific silver fir(89) while those for Douglas-fir (78) and noblefir (68) are lower (Table 12). Current volumein these stands is generally dominated by noblefir and Douglas-fir. At higher elevations inthis association, Pacific silver fir may bequite productive.
Relatively low productivity and steep, dissectedterrain indicate less adaptability to intenjivesilvicultural treatment than other associationsin the Pacific silver fir zone. Generallyoccurring on slopes greater than 10 percent atelevations generally less than 4000 feet, thereshould be few frost problems. Clearcutting maybe widely used. Where shallow, rocky soils orfrost problems occur, a shelterwood leavingabout 30 pe cent of'the initial basal area (or
E75 to 85 ft /A) should provide adequateprotection for seedlings. Generally shelterwoodis not required to regenerate this association.Douglas-fir and noble fir may be the bestspecies for regeneration efforts.
ComparisonsAlthawgh vine maple is more prominent in theABAMI'BENE association, it is otherwise similarto thle ABAM/BENE habitat type described byFranklin et al. (1979) for Mt. Rainier NationalPark. This association, although similar to the
- 252 - 117 - 269 -3 243 42 113 19 :9 4 :I: 5 220 i14- 2831 210 4; if 2; ;: 1; z:
- 3226 275 11;
ABAM/BENE habitat type described by Franklin(1966) for the Mt. Rainier Province, does notcontain salal and Alaska huckleberry is muchless comnon. The average cover of beargrass isconsistently higher in Franklin's habitat type.Hemstrom et al. (1982), working in the OregonCascades, described an essentially identicaltype to our ABAM/BENE association. Hendersonand Peter (1981) described a similar associationfor the northern Washington Cascades. AppendixIV contains average floristic and productivityvalues for this association in the westernCascades.
Pacific Silver FirlVanillaleaf-Queencup BeadlilyAssociation (CF F2-53) ABAMIACTR-CLUNThe Pacific silver fir/vanillaleafqueencupbeadlily association is noted for good stands ofDouglas-fir and noble fir. In most standsDouglas-fir and noble fir codominate withPacific silver fir and western hemlock. Pacificsilver fir is usually twice as abundant aswestern hemlock in the regeneration layer. Boththe shrub and herb layer are very diverse, withmany species occurring at over 50 percentconstancy.
CompositionandStructureThe overstory is composed of Douglas-fir,Pacific silver fir, western hemlock, noble firand western redcedar (Table 25). Douglas-firgenerally dominates stands with 35 percentaverage cover. Pacific silver fir and westernhemlock are present in over 85 percent of thestands with an average cover of about 16 percenteach. While noble fir is present in only about50 percent of the stands, its average cover is17 percent. Western redcedar occurs in about 30percent of the plots with 7 percent averagecover. Pacific silver fir is the major climaxtree species in this association, regeneratingin 100 percent of the plots with about 10percent cover. Western hemlock seedlingsoccurred in about 65 percent of the stands andhad an average cover of 5 percent. Westernredcedar regenerated in nearly 30 percent of thestands with an average cover of 4 percent.
Vine maple (ACCI) dominates the shrub layer,averaging between 20 and 30 percent cover.Baldhip rose (ROGY) and prince's pine (CHUM)occurred in over 70 percent*of the standssampled. Big huckleberry (VAME) averaged about
57
Table 13: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlily association-
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Tree
Eee Species
Noible firDouglas-firWestern hemlockPacific silver fir
:i134 16 181 1 9
::120 :: 8"112 10 7
10 percent cover in 83 percent of the stands.Dwarf Oregon grape (BENE), dwarf bramble (RULA),little prince's pine (CHME) and sitka mountainash (SOSI) occurred in over 50 percent of thesampled stands. Other common shrubs includedtrailing blackberry (RUUR), trailing snowberry(SYMO), Oregon boxwood (PAMY), westernthimbleberry (RUPA), ovalleaf whortleberry(VAOV) and red huckleberry (VAPA).
The herb layer is rich and diverse with anaverage cover of 50 percent. Vanillaleaf(ACTR), the characteristic species, averagesabout 14 percent cover. Sidebells pyrola(PYSE), twinflower (LIBO2), queencup beadlily(CLUN) and starry solomonplume (SMST) occurredjn 70 percent of the plots. Twinflower, with 8percent average cover, is the most prominent ofthese. CLUN and SMST averaged about 5 percentcover. Herbs with over 50 percent constancyincluded fairybells (DIHO), rattlesnake plantain(GOOD), Pacific trillium (TROV), coolwortfoamflower (TIUN) and dogwood bunchberry(COCA). COCA was the most prominent of thesewith almost 10 percent average cover. Therewere 10 other herbs which occurred with over 30percent constancy, including beargrass (XETE),white inside-out flower (VAHE) and threeleafanemone (AN~E). Bracken fern (PTAQ) occurred inabout 33 percent of the stands. This is theonly association in the Pacific silver fir zonewhere bracken fern occurred regularly.
PhysiographyandSoilsABAM/ACTR-CLUN association is found on slopesaveraging 34% (Table 31) in topographicallyfavorable p\ositions for deep soil accumulation.About 40 percent of the stands sampled were onsoutherly aspects. Fewer than 15 percent wereon north aspects. Although the elevation rangein our plots is nearly 2000 feet, 60 percentwere between 2900 and 3900 feet elevation.
Generally occurring on moderate to deep, welldrained soils, mean soil depth was 53 inches.Effective rooting depth averaged 33 inches.Soills were dominated by pryoclastic andextrusive igneous materials. Three-quarters ofall profiles had a pumice layer and most wereunderlain by extrusive igneous rock. Andesitewas the most cornnon parent material but basaltictuffs and breccias were also found. Thirtypercent of .our soil profiles had colluviallayers which either dominated or were mixed with
58
415 99 286 95 52 46 26 4 933 2 6 38 195 42 36 16 330 3::3 2 4 90 195 1: I: 22 37 7 309 1262 5 9 13 146 21 18 8 25 6 234 26
the pumice. Only about 10 percent of the plotswere on residual soils. Typically encounteredTRI soil mapping units included 17, 28, 41, 45and 95.
Productivity and Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is high for stands in thePacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlilyassociation. Site index values for noble fir(134), western hemlock (120) and Douglas-fir(119) were substantially higher than that forPacific silver fir (1.12). Current volumeincrement in these stands is dominated by noblefir and Douglas-fir (Table 13). Volume indexvalues indicate that noble fir, and to asomewhat lesser degree, Douglas-fir and westernhemlock are potentially the most productivespecies in this association. Again, noble fir'sposition as the most productive species is aresult of its ability to grow well at higherstocking levels, as can be seen from the growthbasal area data.
This association offers good opportunities forintensive timber management. Clearcutting maybe widely used. Where frost pockets develop onsites with slopes less than.15 percent, ashelterwood leaving about 30 perce t of the
Binitial basal area (or 80 to 90 ft /A) shouldprovide adequate protection for seedlings.Generally, however, shelterwood is not requiredto regenerate this association. Noble fir andDouglas-fir can be planted on slopes over 15percent with southerly aspects. Planted purenoble fir stands would probably containnaturally seeded Douglas-fir, western hemlockand Pacific silver fir.
ComparisonsThe ABAM/ACTR-CLUN association is similar toFranklin's ABAM/ACTR association (1966), but hasgreater cover of ACCI, lower cover of VAME and aslightly less rich herb layer. The understoryof the TSHE/ACTR type described by Franklin etal. (1979) for the Ohanapecosh drainage of Mt.Rainier National Park is similar to thisassociation except ABAM/ACTR-CLUN seems toindicate cooler and perhaps drier sites. Theirtype has a richer herbaceous layer and is awestern hemlock climax. The ABAM/ACTR-CLUNassociation is most similar to the ABAM/ACTRhabitat type described by Dyrness et al. (1974)and the AGAM/ACCI/TIUN association described byHemstrom et al. (1982) in'the Oregon Cascades.
. .
:
--I
i
y?!
:,.;:i: ‘:
L.!
..:
Ib
Table 14: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska hzlckleberry association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Treca Species- -
Western hemlockDouqlas-firNob'le firPacific silver fir
51 102 12 82 7 1 1 1
:t 1:587 E 11 7
Pacfffc Silver Fir/Alaska Huckleberry Association(CF !52-57) ABAMNAALThe Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberryassociation is widespread on environmentallymoderate sites. Timber stands are dominated byPacl;fic silver fir, western hemlock andDouglas-fir. Pacific silver fir is the climaxdominant often associated with western hemlock.Douglas-fir up to 500 years old and 50 inches indiameter are common.
ComlpositionandStructurePacific silver fir and western hemlock dominate(29 percent cover) the canopy (Table 26).Douglas-fir occurs in about 79 percent of thestands and averages 16 percent cover. Westernredcedar occurs in only 38 percent of the standsand averages 7 percent cover. Although westernhemlock regeneration is found in about 79percent of the stands, Pacific silver firregeneration is usually more than twice asabundant and is clearly dominant.
The ABAM/VAAL association is characterized by apromiinent Vaccinium layer and lacks salal.Alaska huckleberry (VAAL) cover is generallygreater than 20 percent with big huckleberry(VAME) and ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV) coverbetween 5 and 10 percent. Warm site shrubs aregenerally inconspicuous.
The herb layer is highly variable containingqueencup beadlily (CLUN), sidebells pyrola(PYSE), dogwood bunchberry (COCA), beargrass(XETE), Pacific trillium (TROV), twinflower(LIBO2), rattlesnake plantain (GOOB),vanillaleaf (ACTR) and alpine pyrola (PYAS).Herbaceous cover averages 14 percent. Wherepumice deposits are a major portion of the soilprofile, the herb layer is especiallydepauperate, generally including only PYSE andPYAS.
PhysiographyandSoitsThe mean elevation is 3355 feet and all aspectsare well represented (Table 32). Aboutone-third of the plots fell on flats, benches orterraces with less than 15 percent slope. Theplots averaged 24 percent slope and ranged from2 to 75 percent slope. Soils are dominated bypumice. In over half of the stands, pumice orcinders comprised the entire rooting medium. Inthe remaining plots, volcanic ejecta (pumice,ash and cinders) were interbedded with
2 293 59 148 34 33 17 31 7 332 1032 264 66 146 37 12 7 44 13 456 2055 256 43 138 62 6 240 1902 250 63 126 33 1: (; I: 4 287 47
colluvial, glacial or alluvial matertal. Soildepth ranged from 18 to 100 inches and averaged58 inches (Table 32). Effective rooting depthaveraged 37 inches. One-quarter of the plotshad a layer with over 40 percent coarsefragments. Especially in the pumice soils,there is a tendency for an abnormal decrease inroots at about 15 inches depth. Typicallyencountered TRI soil mapping units included 20,21, 26, 31, 34, 37, 65, 83, 92, 95 and 310.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall.productivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberryassociation. The site index value forCouglas-fir (111) was higher than values fornoble fir (WI), western hemlock (102) andPacific silver fir (102). Current volumeincrement in these stands is dominated bywestern hemlock, Pacific silver fir andDouglas-fir (Table 14). However, volume indexdata indicated that western hemlock, Douglas-fir.and noble fir are potentially the mostproductive species in this association.
This association offers good opportunities forintensive timber management. Clearcutting maybe widely practiced. Where frost pocketsdevelop on sites with slopes less than 15percent, a shelterwood leaving about 25 p rcent
8of the initial basal area (or 70 to 80 ft /A)should provide adequate protection forseedlings. Generally, however, shelterwood isnot needed to successfully regenerate thisassociation. Regeneration of noble fir andDouglas-fir are both possible outside of frostprone areas.
ComparisonsSeveral -authors have described Alaskahuckleberry types but direct comparisons aredifficult to make because this widespread typehas been defined in various ways. The ABAM/VAALassociation is close to that described byDyrness et al. (1974) for the Central Cascadesof Oregon and is similar to the ABAM/VAAL/BENEhabitat type described by Franklin (1966) forthe Mt. Rainier Province. Franklin's type isdominated by Douglas-fir, western hemlock,western redcedar and Pacific silver fir with anunderstory of red huckleberry (VAPA), dwarfOregon grape (BENE), VAAL, VAOV, vine maple(ACCI) and salal (GASH). His type had a richerherb layer and often included coolwort
59
foamflower (TIUN) and vanillaleaf (ACTR). TheABAM/VAAL association is also similar to themore herb rich ABAM/VAAL(BENE) type described inthe Mt. Rainier study (Franklin et al. 1979).The ABAM/VAAL/COCA association described byHemstrom et al. (1982) is similar to ourABAM/VAAL association. Henderson and Peter(1981 and 1982) describe an ABAM/VAALassociation which is similar to that describedhere. Appendix IV contains floristic averagesfor this association where it has been describedin the western Cascades.
Padfic Silver Fir/Alaska Huckleberr&Salal AssociationfCF :S2-553 ABAMIVAAL-GASHThe Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry-salalassociation is widespread and characterizeswarmer middle elevation sites of moderateenvironment. Timber stands are dominated byPacific silver fir, western hemlock andDouglas-fir. Western redcedar frequently can befound in abundance in this association.
CompositionandStructureThe ABAM/VAAL-GASH association typically hassalal and other warm site shrubs in addition toa prominent Vaccinium layer (Table 26). Foundat lower elevations on moderate slopes,Douglas-fir, western hemlock and Pacific silverfir codominate in the overstory, each averagingabout 20 percent cover while western redcedar isgenerally present at about 10 percent cover.Although Pacific silver fir dominates, bothwestern hemlock and western redcedar are wellrepresented in the regeneration layer.
Huckleberry species dominate the shrub layer.Alaska huckleberry (VAAL) is most important,with about 26 percent cover, and big huckleberry(VAME) and ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV) usuallycombine for about 13 percent cover (Table 26).Total cover of the warm shrubs, dwarf Oregon
9rape (BENE), salal (GASH), prince's pineCHUM), red huckleberry (VAPA) and vine maple
(ACCI) is about 35 percent.
The herb layer is usually inconspicuous (17percent average cover). The most common herbsare rattlesnake plantain (GOO8), Pacifictrillium (TROV), twinflower (LIBO2), alpinepyrola (PYAS) and dogwood bunchberry (COCA). Ofthese, only LIB02 and COCA generally have
significant amounts of cover, averaging 5 and 7percent, respectively. Other less common herbsinclude beargrass (XETE), sidebells pyrola{;EPYi{, queencup beadlily (CLUN) and vanillaleaf
.
Physiography and SoilsThis association is found on all aspects withslopes averaging 22 percent (Table 32) andbetween 1900 and 4700 feet elevation. Soils arequite similar to those in the ABAM/VAALassociation. Effective rooting depth averaged44 inches. Soil depth was over 60 inches in 70percent of the plots, averaging 61 inches.Typically encountered TRI soil mapping unitsincluded 17, 37, 54, 56, 63, 81, 84, 412 and 561.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry-salalassociation. Site index values are highest forPacific silver fir (107), western redcedar(103), western hemlock (101) and Douglas-fir(98) and lowest for noble fir (87). Currentvolume increment in most stands is largelydominated by western hemlock and Pacific silverfir (Table 15); however, volume index dataindicate that Douglas-fir, Pacific silver firand noble fir are potentially the mostproductive species in this association.
This association offers good opportunities forintensive timber management. Clearcutting maybe widely applied. Where frost pockets developon sites with slopes less than 15 percent, ashelterwood leaving about 25 percent of theinitial basal area (or 70 to 80 ft2/A) shouldprovide adequate protection for seedlings.Generally, shelterwood is not required tosuccessfully regenerate this association. BothDouglas-fir and noble fir may be used inregeneration efforts. The high shrub cover (66percent average) indicates that shrubcompetition may become a problem followingclearcutting.
ComparisonsThe ABAM/VAAL-GASH association is similar to theABAM/VAAL type of Dryness et al. (1974), theABAM/VAAL/BENE habitat type described byFranklin (1966) and the ABAM/VAAL (BENE) typeidentified by Franklin et al (1979). TheABAM/VAAL-GASH association has, however, a
Tab'le 15: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry-salal association-
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal Ind x5 5
men Tree
CoredTre!e Species
Of ,:I;'" ;E;:i, $s~A~D &gig kF;a &Ii'"; h$-!:,sDTrees-
Douglas-fir 39 lo”‘: 24 f 1 339 69 1 7 1 67 16 8 40 14 451 147Pacific silver fir' 35 1 7 3 . 293 105 161 77 29 16 22 4 206 50Noble fir 4 - 1 0 - 3 5 9 - 1 5 6 - 206 -
Western redcedarWestern hemlock 1: 108: Ifi 6 1 2 8 6 67 153 71; 1: 6 321101 7 2 269 76 142 70 32 20 23 6 222 63:
60
Table 16: Productivity of the Pacific silver ffr/coolwort foamflower association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Tree
Tree Species
EMrfi;emlock ii 117 141 39 15 11 14
Western redcedar 3 130Douglas-fir :i 122 1 5 5Pacific silver fir 117 1 9 8
1 480 84 338 95 71 30 34 9 233 1266 472 235 303 228 27 4 35 1 0 1 8 7 3 9
- 463 - 302 8; iii 3; ii - 4583 395 81 245 22 392 2364 322 83 189 60 34 28 28 5 198 52
greater number of warmer site fndjcatorspecies. Hemstrom et al. (1982) described anABAWVAAL-GASH association in the OregonCascades which is essehtfally identical toours. Appendix IV contains florfstfc andproductivity averages for this association whereit has been described in the western Cascades.
Pacific SilverFlr/Coolworl FoamflowerAssociation~~FFl~S2)ABAWTNJNTne Pacf& silver ffrtcoolwort foamflowerassociation is characteristic of moist to mesfcsites. Soils are generally deep and relativelyfertfle.compared to other associations. Thisassociation is characterized by high cover anddiversity in the herb layer, which generallyincludes coolwort foamflower (TIUN), vanillaleaf(ACTR), queencup beadlfly (CLUN) and Oregonoxalfs (OXOR).
CompositionandStructureThe mature tree layer of stands up to 400 yearsold is dominated by either Douglas-fir or noblefir (Table 27). Both Pacific silver fir andwestern hemlock are common overstory codomfnantsand are more important in older stands. Pacificsilver fir is the dominant regenerating treespecies. Mature and regenerating westernredcedar may also be present. Western hemlockregeneration was low (7 percent) and itsconstancy was high (69 percent).
Average shrub cover was 39 percent (Table 27).None of the shrubs, except vine maple (ACCI),are particularly dominant in this type. Dwarfbra&le (RULA) has the highest constancy (72percent) but low average cover (5 percent).Other shrubs with high constancy includeovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV), Alaska huckleberry(VAAL), bi huckleberry (VANE), little prince'spine (CHMEB and red .huckleberry (VAPA).
The rich and diverse herb layer is mostcharacterfstfc of this association. Thepresence of moisture indicating herbs such ascoolwort foamflower (TIUN), Oregon oxalfs(OXOR), sfberfan montfa (!4OSI), ladyfsrn (ATFI),deerfern (BLSP) and oak fern (GYDR) 3s the majordiagnostic,feature for the type. The mostcommon herb is TIUN which has a constancy of 89percent. Plants which exhfblt constancy greaterthan 50 percent are GYDR, sidebells pyrola
(PYSE), dogwood bunchberry (COCA), starrysolomonplume (SMST), queencup beadlfly (WIN),vanillaleaf (ACTR), Pacific trillium (TROV) andwestern swordfern (POMU). ACTR, COCA and OXORmay be quite abundant. Nearly every herb foundin the Paclffc silver fir zone occurs in thisassociat'lon,
PhysiographyandSoilsAlthough the elevation range in the ABAM/TIUNassociation ranges from 1500 feet to 5000 feet,it is most commonly found between 3000 and 4000feet (Table 33). Slopes range from nearly levelto 80 percent. This association is generallyra;i from upper slopes to benches or alluvial
fnche;.Effective rooting depth averaged 39The soils of the ABAWTIUN type are
among the deepest of all associations. Andesiteis the most common bedrock material present.Soils are developed in either colluvfum or 'complex layers of volcanic ejecta. Eighty-nine .percent of the study plots had a thin layer ofash or pumice at the soil surface. Soils inthese plots typlcally'had several layers ofpumice or cinders in various stages ofweathering. Forty percent of the plots werenortheast of Mount St. Helens where there is a 5to 15 inch thick layer of lapfllf in the soilprofile. Typically encountered TRI soil mappingunits fncluded 15, 17, 41, 63, 81, 92 and 312.
Productivityand [email protected] is high for stands in thePacific silver fir/coolwort foamflowerassociation. Site index values for westernhemlock (141) and western redcedar (130) arehigher than those for Oouglas-fir (122), noblefir (117) and Pacific sliver fir (117). Currentvalume production in most stands is dominated bywestern hemlock (Table 16). Volume index dataindicate that *stern hemlock, noble fir andwestern redcedar are potentially the mostproductive species in this association.
The envfronmantal factors (mesfc climate,moisture availabflfty and deep soils) thatenable this assocla%fon to be rich in sljecfesand high in production should also ,favor rapidregeneration, but calrpetfng vegetation may be aproblem. As is true anywhere in the Pacificsilver fir zone, frost could be a problem onbenches or gentle slopes. Problems fromcompeting vegetation may be avoided by ,
61
preserving advanced PacZfic silver fir andwestern hemlock regeneration and plantinginmediately after harvest. This associationaffords good opportunities for intensive timbermanagement. Clearcutting amy be widelypracticed. Where frost pockets develop onslopes less than 15 percent and at elevationsapproaching 4GGG feet,,a shelterwood leavinabout 25 percent of the lnitia? basal area75 to 85 ft2/A) should provide adequate
9or
protection for seedlings. Generally, however,shelterwood Is not required to regenerate thisassociation. Western hemlock, noble fir andDouglas-fir are suitable crop tree species onsites where frost is not a factor. Noble firwill produce greater harvest voltnnes in thistype and will grow well in dlanreter at greaterstocking densities than Bouglas-fir. Since thesoils are generally deep and hold moisture wellinto the growing season, compaction is apotential problm. Soil aMsture content shouldbe tested before entry with heavy equipment.
Comparisonsme ABAWTIUN association is similar to theABAM/TIUN type dexrfbed by Franklin (1966) forthe Mt. Adams Province. Rich shrub and herblayers and a productive tree layer are commonfeatures, but our shrub layer 1s even marediverse and has higher average cover. TheABAM/TIUN type Franklin et al. (1979) describedat Ht. Rainier is more herb rfch and*slightlyless shruBby than that described here. Anessentially identical type was described byHeamtrorn et al. (1982) for the Oregon Cascades.Appendix IV contains average floristic andproductivity values for thfs association in thewestern Cascades.
Pacific Silver Fir/Devil’s Club Association (CF S3.51)ABAMlOPHOThe Pacific silver fir/devills club associationis found on the wettest forested sftes occupiedby the Pacific silver fir series. It is one ofthe easiest types to distinguish in the fieldbecause it is characterized by large amounts ofdevil's club and a rich herb layer. Stands maybe found growing on terraces, river bottoms orslopes where they may be associated with theabundant moisture of seeps or springs.
CompositionandStruCtureThe canopy composition in this association isvariable and includes Douglas-fir, noble fir,PacZffc silver fir, western hemlock, westernredcedar and Alaska yellow-cedar (Table 27).Pacific silver fir and western hemlock dominatein most stands, but Douglas-fir and noble firare important seral species. Western redcedarand Alaska yellow-cedar are generally minorspecies. Pacffic silver fir regeneration ispredominant with lesser amounts of western.hemlock, Both cedars also regeneratesuccessfully in many devil's club coaaaunities.
Devil's club (OPHO) and several.other shrubsdominate the shrub layer in thfs associatfon,Ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV), Alaska huckleberry(VW), five leaf bramble (RUPE) and dwarfbramble (RULA) are very coaaaon. A wtde varietyof shrubs occur with low constancy. The averageshrub cover In this type is about 67 percent.
The herb layer in the ABAWGPHG associationcontains a wide variety of wet site speciesincluding coolwort foamflower (TIUN), ladyfern(ATFI), deerfern (BLSP), oak fern (GYBR) andredwoods violet (VISE). TIUN and vanillaleaf(ACTR) are the most comaon plants withconstancies of 1GG and 96 percent,respectively. Other herbs with constanciesgreater than 50 percent include GYBR, Paciffctrillium (TROV), ATFI, queencup beadlily (CLUN),starry solmnpluma (SMST), sidebells pyrola(PYSE) and rosy twistedstalk (STRO).
Phyaiographyand t%.dlSThis association occurs in a variety of *topographic positions betwen 2600 and 4600 feet.elevation (Table 33). Sites jn middle to lowerslope position contained stony ~011s of volcanicash or pumice origin& On lower slope sitescolluvfum was often present in the soilprofile. Effective rooting .depth averaged 43.On very steep rocky slopes, thls association is.present only where seeps or springs bringgroundwater near the surface. Terraces, riverbottoam and wet meadows contained soilsdeveloped froa! alluvium or glacial drift.Typlcally encountered TRI soil a!apping unitsincluded 15, 16, 34, 39, 322, 418 and 420.
Table 17: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/devil's club association
Current Current'Radial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal7%
T r e e
cozdIndex (20ths/ Ar a(ft)
Tree Species Trees Fran $6l&-s& &?,A& R;;Ydsa
Alaska yellow-cedar a ::t 6 1: 1 4 2 9 * 1 4 9 X34Noble fir 2: - - 406
‘2, ii:-
lf ‘5, i:Douglas-fir 2: 2
:i
f 3 388Pacific sflver fir
;i2 343
1;; p; sQi7 ii 3; ii;
Western hemlock 123 91’ 20 E ii
1’7 !m& 3$
Western redcedar 3 118 - "8 : ii: 123 2og- 178 -, 19 - 39 ‘2, iif 14f
62
Prdductivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is high for stands in thePacific silver fir/devil's club association.Site index values for noble fir (134),Douglas-fir (132) and Pacific silver fir (131)are higher than those for Alaska yellow-cedar(124), western hemlock (123) and westernredcedar (118). Pacific silver fir, Douglas-firand western hemlock are the highest contributorsto current volume increment in stands of thisassociation (Table 17). Volume index dataindicate that Alaska yellow-cedar, noble fir andDouglas-fir are potentially the most productivespecies in this association. The high growthbasal area values for Alaska yellow-cedar andnoble fir indicate good diameter growth athigher stocking levels, thus a greater potentialvfilume yield per acre.
This association does not cover large areas onthe Gifford Pinchot National Forest but becomesmore widespread further north. It often occursin patches of less than five acres and issurrounded by more well drained types.Opportunities for intensive timber managementare poor in this association. Clearcutting may.be practiced, but with caution. Where frostpockets develop on slopes under 15 percent astypically encountered on high elevation benches,a shelter-wood leaving about 25 percent of theinitial basal area (or 75 to 85 ft?/A) 'shouldprovide adequate protection for seedlings.Shelterwood is generally not required toregenerate this association. Timber harvestingmay be difficult because of wet soils. Soilcompaction and erosion could be major problems.Where this type occurs in small patches, adverseimpacts to soils may be minimized by fellingtrees toward more stable soils in surroundingassociations.
This association provides diversity within thematrix of drier forest types and should bemanaged with care to prevent erosion of the deepsoils which are often saturated with water.Since this type occupies a small fraction of thelqndscape, it could be considered a specialhabitat providing biotic diversity and managedfor purposes other than timber production. Itis also an important animal habitat since theleaves of devil's club provide a preferredforage for elk during the late summer and earlyfall. The substantial shrub cover and frequentproximity to riparian areas make thisassociation an important protective cover forwildlife.
Corn arisonsFran 1:lin et al. (1979) described an ABAM/OPHOhabitat type in Mt.'Rainier National Park whichis similar to that described here. They foundsome stands with very reduced shrub layer, whichwe did not. This may be a result of theabundance of elk within Mt. Rainier NationalPark and their preference for devil's clubfoliage. Franklin (1966) found CHNO to be moreprevalent and PIEN and ABGR to be major seralspecies, in contrast to our association. Theshrub and herb composition are comparable.Dyrness et al. (1974) described a CHNO/OPHO
habitat type in the Central Oregon Cascadeswhich is closely analogous to our ABAM/OPHOassociation. Hemstrom et al. (1982) describedan association in the Oregon Cascadesessentially identical to our ABAM/OPHO type.Henderson and Peter (1982) reported a similartype in the Northern Washington Cascades.Appendix IV contains average floristic andproductivity values for this association in thewestern Cascades.
PacifiqSilver Fir/Cascade Azalea Association (CF S!XiO)ABAMlRHALHeavy snowpacks, short growing seasons, frequentfrost and cold, often moist soils are typical ofsites occupied by this association. Standsfound on benches or terraces at lower elevationsand those on high ridges are extremelyfrost-prone following clearcutting.
&mpositionandStructurePacific silver fir dominates the overstory alongwith mountain hemlock. Douglas-fir, noble fir,subalpine fir, western hemlock and Alaskayellow-cedar may be present to a lesser degree.The shrub layer is relatively diverse andcharacterized by Cascades azalea (RHAL) andseveral huckleberries (Table 28). The herblayer is moderately rich. Beargrass (XETE),sidebells pyrola (PYSE), vanillaleaf (ACTR),queencup beadlily (CLUN), Pacific trillium(TROV), rosy twistedstalk (STRO), sitka valerian(VASI) and coolwort foamflower (TIUN) occurredin over 30 percent of our plots. Average totalherb cover is greater than 35 percent. CLUN,STRO, VASI and TIUN indicate a more favorableenvironment. Six or more herbs are usuallypresent and the cover of herbs other than XETEaverages 21 percent.
PhysiographyandSoilst&tly found on gentle north slopes averaging4247 feet elevation (Table 34), 33 percent ofthe stands were on slopes of 15 percent orless. Most plots were in upper slope position.Soils are generally composed of tephra depositswhich are underlain by glacial or colluvialdeposits. The soil profile is generally rockycompared to other associations, commonlycontaining one or more layers with over 40percent coarse fragments. Effective rootingdepth averaged 30 inches. Typically encounteredTRI soil mapping units included 17, 34, 54, 57and 310.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is low for stands in thePacific silver fir/Cascades azalea association.Site index for western hemlock (107) issubstantially reater than values for Pacificsilver fir (93B , Douglas-fir (91), mountainhemlock (87) and Engelmann spruce (82). Westernhemlock makes the greatest contribution tocurrent volume increment in stands of thisassociation with mountain hemlock and Pacificsilver fir ranking second and third,respectively (Table 18). Volume index dataindicate that western hemlock and Pacific silverfir are potentially the most productive species
631
Table 18: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/Cascades azalea association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Tree
Tree Species
Western hemlock 107 6
Pacific silver fir
:5
Douglas-fir 2:;i
1:
1::
Mountain hemlockEngelmann spruce 5 88: - 57
on this association; The productive potentialof Engelmann spruce is best expressed on siteswith high water tables, such as the edges oflakes and wet meadows. The persistent snowpack,typical of this association, commonly results inregeneration delays from slow early seedlinggrowth.
Opportunities for intensive timber managementare poor in this association. Clearcutting maybe practiced, but with caution. Where shallowsoils, high elevation and slopes less than 15percent result in frost problems, a shelterwood
leaving about 40 percent of the initial basalarea (or 85 to 95 ft2/A) should provideadequate protection for seedlings. Where thistype is found on slopes greater than 15 percent,clearcutting may provide adequate protection forplanted noble fir. On slopes less than 15percent, frost problems should be expected andspecies such as Engelmann spruce, western whitepine, Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlockwill be more successful. Douglas-fir is poorlyadapted to this environment. These sites willgenerally open up late and soil temperatures mayremain cool inhibiting root growth. Soiltemperature should be checked before planting tosee that it is at least 410F (50C). Becauseof the late entry and cold soil problem, thisassociation is an attractive candidate for fallplanting, providing properly preconditionednursery stock is available.
The preponderance of north-facing aspects andfairly moist conditions may make slash burningdifficult. Heavy slash can be reduced byyarding unmerchantable material. Because soilsin this association are not nutrient rich, aslittle organic matter as possible should beremoved to maintain site fertility andproductivity. Use of heavy ground-basedequipment may cause soil compaction where highwater tables persist.
ComparisonsFranklin (1966) viewed this association as ahigh elevation variant of the ABAM/MEFE habitattype. His CHNO/RHAL type is somewhat similarexcept that Alaska yellow-cedar is a majorclimax species along with Pacific silver fir.His CHNO/RHAL habitat type is also probablywetter than the ABAM/RHAL association. Franklin,et al. (1979) described an ABAM/RHAL habitat
2 239 27 127 13 52 39 30 2 335 602 214 21 100 22 21 12 23 4 2681 213 32 98 2 40 1 404 1::3 219 45 94 :: 3i 25 24 4 273 101- 183 - 75 - 4 - 22 - 224 -
type at Mt. Rainier that is also similar to theone described here. The major differences arethat Alaska yellow-cedar as a major overstoryconstituent in their type and western hemlock isentirely lacking. Our ABAM/RHAL association issimilar to the ABAM/RHAL/CLUN associationdescribed by Hemstrom et al. (1982) in theOregon Cascades.
Pacific Silver Fir/Fool’s Huckleberry Association(CF S2-54) ABAMlMEFEThe Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberryassociation is characterized by a tall, denseshrub layer dominated by fool's huckleberry(MEFE) and several huckleberry species. Theherb layer is fairly diverse. Pacific silverfir and western hemlock dominate the overstory,but Douglas-fir is often present.
CompositionandStructure'The ABAM/MEFE association is dominated by
Pacific silver fir (average cover 31 percent)and western hemlock (average cover 24 percent)with a lesser presence and cover (20 percent) ofDouglas-fir (Table 28). Western redcedar, noblefir, Engelmann spruce and western white pineoccurred less frequently in the overstory. Theregeneration layer is dominated by Pacificsilver fir (cover 18 percent) and westernhemlock (cover 5 percent), with western redcedarand Alaska yellow-cedar occurring lessfrequently and at lower relative cover.
The most characteristic feature is the diverseand dominant shrub layer with an average coverof 62 percent and total shrub cover near 100percent on some plots. Fools huckleberrydominates the shrub layer (5 to 15 percentcover) along with one of three Vacciniumspecies, big huckleberry (VAME), Alaskahuckleberry (VAAL) or ovalleaf whortleberry(VAOV). Their combined cover averages 42percent. Dwarf bramble (RULA). sitka mountainash (SOSI) and five leaf bramble (RUPE) arepresent in most stands at low coverage. Thewarm site shrub group is represented with covergenerally less than 10 percent.
Although the herbaceous layer is obscured bydense shrubs, its cover averages 34 percent.Dogwood bunchberry (COCA) and queencup beadlily(CLUN) were the most frequently encountered
6 4
herbs (70 and 78 percent respective constancy)followed by sidebells pyrola (PYSE), Pacifictrillium (TROV), coolwort foamflower (TIUN),vanillaleaf (ACTR), beargrass (XETE), twinflower(LIB02) and rosy twistedstalk (STRO). Averagecover for CLUN, COCA, TIUN and XETE is over 5percent.
PhvsiographyandSdilsSlopes average 25 percent but range from nearlylevel to 66 percent (Table 34). Mean elevationis 3673 feet and aspects tend to be northerly.The soils on 50 percent of the plots contained alayer of lapilli and another 50 percentcontained at least one layer with more than 50percent rock.39 inches.
Effective rooting depth averagedTypically encountered TRI soil
mapping units included 17, 18, 27, 41, 57, 92and 561.
Productivity and Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberryassociation. Values of site index for noble fir(113), western hemlock (113) and Pacific silverfir (110) were higher than that for Douglas-fir(103). Current stand volume increment waslargely comprised of contributions from Pacfficsilver fir and western hemlock (Table 19).Volume index data. indicated that Pacific silverfir, noble fir and western hemlock are'potentially more productive in this associationthan is Douglas-fir.
Opportunities for intensive timber managementare moderate in this association. Clearcuttingmay be practiced. Where high elevations andslopes less than 15 percent produce frostpockets, a shelterwood leaving about 30 p?rcentof the initial basal area (or 75 to 85 ft /A)should provide adequate protection forseedlings. Douglas-fir is a corenon high valuetimber species in this association; however, itwill suffer frost damage on slopes less than 15percent and snow creep deformation on steeperslopes. It is therefore not well suited forreforestation in this association. Pacificsflver fir, western white pine and Engelmannspruce are better suited to gentler slopes andnoble fir, while generally not present in theoriginal stand, is well suited on slopes over 15percent. This association occurs in locationswhere soil moisture is abundant early it thegrowing season. Stand entry at this time with
heavy equipment could cause soil compactionproblems.
ComparisonsThe ABAMJKFE association is similar to theABAM/MEFE habitat type described by Franklin etal. (1979) for Mt. Rainier National Park. Theirtype is similar to ours in the relatively fewherbaceous species which have high fidelitywithin the type. Although our ABAM/MEFEassocfation contains rmch less Cascades azalea ,it is similar to the ABAM/MEFE associationdescribed by Franklin (1966) for the Mt. RainierProvince. An analogous type was not describedby Oyrness et al. (1973) for the CentralCascades of Oregon. However, Hemstrom et al.(1982) described an essentially identical typeon the Mt. Hood National Forest. Henderson andPeter (1981) described a similar type in thenorthern Washington Cascades. Appendix IVcontains average floristic and productivityvalues for this association in the westernCascades.
Pacific Silver Fir/Big HucklebeAssociation (CF S2-56) ABAMlVK
/he&cup BeadlilyMUCLUN
The Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/queencupbeadliiy association is characterized by standsof Pacific silver. fir, western hemlock andDouglas-fir with an understory of bighuckleberry, queencup beadlily and other herbs.This association, while often found on frostprone high elevation sites, is moreenvironmentally moderate than the ABAM/VAME/XETEassociation.
Composition andstructurePacific silver fir (26 percent cover) dominatesthe overstory with Douglas-fir (22 percentcover), western hemlock (14 percent cover) andnoble fir (22 percent cover) as major associates(Table 29). Mountain hemlock is present in theoverstory in 35 percent of the plots with anaverage of 9 percent cover. Pacific silver firdominates the regeneration layer with coverranging from 5 to 25 percent. Mountain hemlockand western hemlock are occasionally present inthe regenerating layer.
Big huckleberry dominates the shrub layer with10 to 30 percent average cover. Prince's pine(CHUM) and dwarf bramble (RULA) occur in 65 to85 percent of the stands with 3 and 4 percent
Table 19: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberry association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal Ind xOf 5
merit
CoredTree Species Trees
hlF;sD !lri!:i, ~~s~A~D ,gr{sD ,iiz{, ,:i'$S, bg)sD
Pacific silver fir 30 110 13 : 3 285 49 158 42 32 12 29 4 315 26Noble fir 113 - 269 - 152 - 471Western hemlock 1: 113 15 4 2 249 89 140 5; 1; 3 fZ 5 407 23Douglas-fir 1 0 103 7 4 1 206 7 1 108 4 4 7 2 43 9 450 29
65
Table 20: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/queencup beadlily association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Tree
OfCoredTree Species Trees
Western white pineWestern hemlock
Pacific silver firDouglas-firNoble 'firMountain hemlock
3:130 11103 1; 8
40 1 0 73 3ii
iii! 5
: 8 0 : i
average cover, respectively. Besides sitkamountain ash (SOSI), these are the only othershrubs found in over 50 percent of the plots.Several shrubs occur with low cover in over 30percent of the plots including baldhip rose(ROGY), ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV) and Oregonboxwood (PAMY). Total shrub cover averages 31percent with generally 5 or 6 shrub speciespresent.
Average herb cover is 40 percent with over 30species occurring. Queencup beadlily (CLUN),vanillaleaf (ACTR), beargrass (XETE) andsidebells pyrolla (PYSE) are generally presentwith a combined cover of 15 to 25 percent.Other comnon herbs are Pacific trillium (TROV),twinflower (LIBO2), rattlesnake plantain (GOOB),alpine pyrola (PYAS), threeleaf anemone (ANDE),sitka valerfan (VA%), coolwort foamflower(TIUN), dogwood bunchberry (COCA) and whiteinside-out flower (VAHE). The presence of moistsite herbs such as TIUN, starry solomonplume(SMST), VASI, ANOE, vetch violet (VIORE),Brewers mitewort (MIBR) and ladyfern (ATFI)indicates that this association is more mesicthan the ABAM/VAME/XETE association.
PhysiographyandSoilsStands in this association occur at elevationsbetween 3100 and 4900 feet, 3781 feet beingaverage (Table 35). Generally occuring ongentle slopes in middle to lower slopepositions, about 77 percent of the plots were onless than 15 percent slopes. Over 60 percent ofthe plots were on east and south facing slopes.Effective rooting depth averaged 33 inches.Soils are dominated by pumice layers overlyingresiduum on sites less than 30 percent slope.Only about 10 percent of the plots do not havepumice or cinders in the upper foot of soil. Ina few cases, the surface soil is colluvial andaverages 20 percent rock content. Parent rockis extrusive igneous, chiefly andesite andoccasionally basalt. Layers of lapilli werepresent in only a few plots. Typicallyencountered TRI soil mapping units included 17,30, 154, 172 and 412.
Productivity and Management ConsiderationsOverall proauctivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/queencupbeadlily association. Site index values for
- 4 4 8 - 2 9 2 - 4 6 53 3 0 7 6 5 1 6 0 3i 2: 1 3 !29 5 3 0 7 1 0 61 2 5 3 6 1 1 3 4 39 27 17 2 4 4 2 3 12 2 6 9 9 2 1 2 8 5 7 1 3 8 3 6 8 357 1::- 2 8 5 - 1 2 6 - 5 - 24 - 229 -- 2 6 9 - 1 0 7 - 2 - 2 7 - 2 3 2 -
western white pine (130), Pacific silver fir(107) and western hemlock (103) are higher thanthose for Douglas-fir (93), noble fir (89) andmountain hemlock (80). Western hemlock andPacific silver fir make the greatestcontributions to current volume increment instands of this association (Table 20). However,volume index data indicate western white pine ispotentially the most productive species in thisassociation, followed by western hemlock andPacific silver fir. Engelmann spruce may beproductive in this association on level siteswith elevated water tables.
This association affords moderate opportunitiesfor intensive timber management. Clearcuttingmay be practiced, but with caution. Where highelevation and slopes less than 15 percent resultin frost problems, a shelterwood leaving about30 percent of the initial basal area (or 80 to90 ft2/A) should provide adequate protectionfor seedlings. Western white pine, Pacificsilver fir, Engelmannspruce, noble fir andDouglas-fir would be good regeneration choicesin this association. Western white pine andPacific silver fir are particularly well suitedto slopes less than 15 percent where frost is ahazard. Douglas-fir and noble fir willestablish more easily on steeper slopes wherecold air drainage averts frost damage. Thesoils in this type are porous and well drained,making compaction an unlikely problem.
ComparisonsThe ABAM/VAME/CLUN association is similar to theABAM-TSHE/VACCINIUM Association of Franklin(1966), but has less ACCI and BENE. Hemstrom etal. (1982) described an essentially identicalABAM/VAME/CLUN association in the OregonCascades. The ABAM/VAME association describedby Henderson and Peter (1981 and 1982) for thenorthern Washington Cascades is similar.Appendix IV contains average florfstic andproductivity values for this association in thewestern Cascades.
Pacific Silver Fir/Big HucklebenylBeargrass Association(CF S2-51) ABAMlVAMElXETEThis association is an herb poor, high elevationcommunity characterized by Pacific silver firand western hemlock in the overstory. Big
66
huckleberry and beargrass dominate the shrub andherb layers, respectively, indicating a highlyfrost prone environment where regenerationdifficulties can be anticipated.
CompositionandStructurePacific silver fir and western hemlock dominatethe tree layer, each with 20 percent cover(Table 29). Douglas-fir is frequently presentwith about 11 percent cover. Pacific silver firdominates the regeneration layer with 10 to 20percent cover while western hemlock regenerationgenerally has less than 5 percent cover.
Big huckleberry dominates the shrub layer andaverages about 18 percent cover. Sitka mountainash (SOSI) and baldhij, rose (ROGY) may bepresent. Warm site shrubs are generally absentexcept for prince's pine (CHUM). Small amountsof other Vaccinium species including redhuckleberry, ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV)and Alaska huckleberry (VAAL) may occur.
Herbs are inconspicuous except beargrass, whichmay have up to 80 percent cover. Sidebellspyrola (PYSE) and twinflower (LIBO2) occurfrequently with lower cover. There aregenerally five or fewer herbs other thanbeargrass (XETE).
PhysiographyandSoilsThis association generally occurs on southerlyaspects. Although it may occur on ridgetops orthin-soiled bottomland, the ABAM/VAME/XETEassociation is usually found on slopes under 15percent (Table 35).to 4800 feet.
Elevation ranged from 2900Underlying soils were composed of
pumice layers over residuum, colluvium orglacial deposits. Soils were relativelyshallow.inches.
Effective rooting depth averaged 33Upper slope, south aspect sites with
soil less than 24 inches deep may be verydroughty. Typically encountered TRI soilmapping units included 11, 17, 25, 31 and 34.
ProductivityandManagement ConsiderationsOverall productivity is moderate for stands inthe Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/beargrassassociation. Site index values for westernhemlock (99) and Pacific silver fir (95) arehigher than those for mountain hemlock (75) andDouglas-fir (73). Mountain hemlock, Pacificsilver fir and western hemlock make the greatestcontributions to current volume increment instands of this association (Table 21). Volume
index data indicate that western hemlock andPacific silver fir are potentially the mostproductive species in this association, followedby mountain hemlock and Douglas-fir. Noble firmay be among the most highly productive speciesin this association, although it was rarelyencountered in our older stands.
This association affords moderate opportunitiesfor intensive timber management. Whileclearcutting may be practiced, alternativemethods might be considered for these dry, highelevation, frost prone sites when slopes areless than 15 percent. A shelterwood leavingabout 40 per ent of the initial basal area (or
595 to 115 ft /A) should provide sufficientprotectfon for seedlings. Protectton ofadvanced regeneration will aid reforestationefforts. As Douglas-fir productivity is low,timber management emphasizing Pacific silver firor noble fir will result in higher volumeyields. Since this type is generally found oncoarse textured soils with adequate drainage,compaction should not be a problem.
ComparisonsThe ABAM/VAME/XETE association is similar to theABAM/XETE (TSHE) habitat type described byFranklin et al. (1979) for Mount RainierNational Park. It is analogous to theABAM-TSHE/VAME type described by Franklin (1966)for the Mount Rainier Province. Hemstrom et al.(1982) described an association essentiallyidentical to this in the Oregon Cascades.Henderson and Peter (1981) described anABAM/XETE type for the northern WashingtonCascades which is similar, except that itcontains much less VAME. Appendix IV containsaverage floristic and productivity values for 'this association in the western Cascades.
Mountain HemlockAssociationsAt elevations above 4000 feet in the Pacificsilver fir series, mountain hemlock becomesincreasingly abundant in overstory andunderstory. Although Pacific silver fir mayoften be the most prominent regeneratingspecies, mountain hemlock seedlings are comnon,indicating a significantly colder environmentthan those of previously describedassociations. It is at this point (10%projected canopy cover of TSME) that themountain hemlock series begins. Annual
Table 21: Productivity of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/beargrass association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal meno f Index (20ths/ Ar a t;:q 5
Tree
CoredTree Species Trees
Meaift)so l.l.n~rs~~ .(.(f/Ab Hetp)sD hgir{sD ,I,!AyiD ,$E),,
Western hemlock 1 9 ;5” 1 2 f 2 284 i03 1 4 4 66 20 1 0 3 0 5 3 3 8 1 5 9Pacific silver fir 1 7 1 7 2 253 1 0 9 1 2 2 62 29 1 8 2 2 4 2 4 7 5 4Mountain hemlock 1: 7 5
5: - 272 - 1 0 1 3 0 - 2 3 - 2 3 6
Douglas-fir 73 2 2 1 3 4 1 7 9 1; 8 4 3 0 7 355 175
67
Table 22: Productivity of the mountain hemlock/big huckleberry association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Tree
Tree Species
L&stern larch
Pacific silver firDouglas-fir
Mountain hemlockWestern hemlockSubalpine fir
123
9
11
2:1 0 1: 16 1:
23 63 ii'9 - ;5 35 - 5
precipitation at the higher elevationsapproximates 100 inches resulting in heavywinter snowpacks. This combination of coldtemperatures and heavy snow accumulation leadsto problems in regeneration from short growingseasons, frost and seedling deformation bysnow. Timber productivity is lower than in thePacific silver fir associations. Regenerationsuccess is dependent on the use of frost hardyspecies for reforestation, preservation ofadvanced regeneration and maintaining thermalprotection for seedlings through partial cuttingpractices.
Mountain Hemlock/Big Huckleberry AssociationfCM S2-10)TSMEIVAfvlEt&ntain.hemlock and Pacific silver fir are theprimary regenerating species. Big huckleberryand beargrass dominate the shrub and herblayers. Otherwise there is little understorydiversity. Productivity is relatively low.Short growing seasons and frost presentregeneration problems.
CompositionandStructureThe stands in the TSME/VAME association aredominated by Pacific silver fir and mountainhemlock which average 30 and 17 percent cover,respectively (Table 30). Canopy cover averages63 percent. Cover of regenerating Pacificsilver fir is generally greater than 10 andaverages 16 percent. Mountain hemlockregeneration has less cover than Pacific silverfir. Douglas-fir is not a notable part of thestand, but Engelmann spruce and western whitepine are sometimes present.
Big huckleberry (VAME) clearly dominates theshrub layer with between 10 and 50 percent cover(mean cover 34 percent). Other species ofVaccinium including ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV)and red huckleberry (VAPA) are sometimes presentin small amounts. Sitka mountain ash (SOSI) isoccasionally present. The warm site shrub groupis absent or inconspicuous. Dwarf bramble(RULA) is often present with 5 or more percentcover.
Beargrass (XETE) dominates the herb layer with20 percent cover. There are generally fewerthan 5 other herbaceous species present, The
- 217 - 1353 246 104 108 4; 22: 2; f! i 2:: 8;2 200 8 105 21 37 5 19 1 872 221 72 90 23 31 18 22 4 210 9:- 185 - 82 - 28 - 355 -- 260 - 46 - : 1 19 -203 -
most corrmOn herbs are sidebells pyrola (PYSE)and queencup beadlily (CLUN) with 54 and 62percent constancy and average cover of 2 or 3percent.
PhysiographyandSoilsThis association is usually found above 3300feet elevation (mean elevation 4362 feet) onnortherly aspects and generally occurs on upperslope sites (Table 36). Slopes are generallygreater than 15 percent with an average of 22percent. The only nearly flat areas occupied bythis type were below 3500 feet elevation wherecold air accumulates. Effective rooting depthaveraged 33 inches. The soil profiles aredominated by pumice layers, often with highcoarse fragment content. These pumice layersare generally underlain by residuum on upperslopes and colluvial or glacial deposits ofandesite or basalt at the base of slopes.
.
Typically encountered TRI soil mapping unitsincluded 17, 41, 45 and 95.
Productivityand ManagementConsiderationsOverall productivity is low for stands in themountain hemlock/big huckleberry association.Site index values for western larch (123),Douglas-fir (104), Pacific silver fir (89),western hemlock (89) and mountain hemlock (92)are higher than that for subalpine fir (35).Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock, Pacific silverfir and western larch contribute most to thecurrent volume increment of stands in thisassociation (Table 22). Volume index dataindicate that western larch, Pacific silver firand Douglas-fir are potentially the mostproductive species in this association.Although data were not available for noble firand western white pine, their productivity islikely to be as high. Growth basal area dataindicate that Pacific silver fir stocking onthese sites is higher than any other species,except subalpine fir. Both productivity andstocking are limited in this rather severe, coldassociation.
This association affords poor opportunities forintensive timber management. Althoughclearcutting may be practiced with caution, highelevation and slopes less than 15 percentproduce high frost hazard sites wherealternative methods might be considered. A
68
shelterwood leaving about 50 percent of theinitial basal area (or 100 to 120 ft2/A)should provide adequate protection forseedlings. The shelterwood method will probablyproduce a mixed stand of conifers, the speciesmix depending upon residual seed trees. If usedon exposed ridgetops, this method may result inwindthrow problems. Group selection harvest maybe used to increase regeneration success.
The environment of this association is severe,with heavy winter snowpacks and possible frostduring the growing season. Significant delaysin regeneration are likely to reduce timberproduction. After disturbance, such as fire orclearcutting, beargrass and longstolen sedge canexpand and dominate the herb layer, slowing orpreventing conifer establishment. Western larchand western white pine are preferred species forplanting in this association. Noble fir andDouglas-fir are not suitable species because oftheir susceptibility to frost damage. Engelmannspruce and lodgepole pine may seed intoclearcuts from residual seed trees. The soilsin this type are well drained and coarsetextured. Compaction is usually not a problem.
*mbrisonsThe TSMEflAME association is similar to theABAM/XETE (TSME) habitat type described byFranklin et al. (1979) for Mount RainierNational Park. It is also similar to theABAM-TSME/VAME association in the Mt. Adamsprovince reported by Franklin (1966). TheTSME/VAME/XETE association described by Hemstromet al. (1982) for the Oregon Cascades issimilar, except that their XETE cover is overtwice that of ours. The TSME/VAME associationdescribed by Henderson and Peter (1982) is alsosimilar, except that VAME cover is higher andXETE cover is lower than in our association.
Mountain HemlocklFool’s Huckleberry Association(CM S2-21) TSMElMEFEThe TSME/MEFE association is typical of highelevation sites where frequent frost, heavysnowpacks and short growing seasons are common.Generally occurring on gentle slopes thesesites, which are dominated by Pacific silver firand mountain hemlock, are difficult toregenerate following clearcutting.
CompositionandStructureIn the TSME/MEFE association, mountain hemlockis codominant with Pacific silver fir. Thecover of mountain hemlock and western hemlock,where they occur in the overstory, averages 15and 9 percent, respectively. Subalpine fir andEngelmann spruce also occur in significantamounts. Douglas-fir occurs in only half of thestands at 5 to 10 percent cover. Pacific silverfir regeneration avera es 25 percent cover and100 percent constancy 9 Table 30). Seedlings ofwestern and mountain hemlock both average lessthan 5 percent cover.
The shrub layer is dominated by fool'shuckleberry (MEFE), big huckleberry (VAME),ovalleaf whortleberry (VAOV) and Alaskahuckleberry (VAAL). Sitka mountain ash (SOSI)is often present in small amounts. The warmsite shrub group is inconspicuous or absent.
Beargrass (XETE) occurs frequently in the herblayer with an average of 11 percent cover.Sidebells pyrola (PYSE) and queencup beadlily(CLUN) are highly constant herbs and averageabout 2 and 7 percent cover, respectively.Dogwood bunchberry (COCA) and coolwortfoamflower (TIUN) occur in about 40 percent ofthe stands with an average cover of 8 and 2percent, respectively. The average total herbcover is about 35 percent.
PhysiographyandSoilsGenerally found on gentle slopes at elevationsaveraging 3955 feet (Table 36), 80 percent ofthe plots were located on slopes less than 15percent. The TSME/MEFE association is mostcorrmOn on north-facing ridgetop or upper slopepositions. None of the plots occurred on southaspects. Underlying soils are dominated by sandand sandy loam pumice layers to a depth of 15inches. Only a third of the stands had totalsoil depths of less than 50 inches. Layersrestricting root growth and high water tablesare comnon enough that compaction or erosioncausing activities should be carefullycontrolled. Effective rooting depth averaged 46inches. Typically encountered TRI soil mappingunits included 17, 20 and 37.
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is low for stands in themountain hemlock/fool's huckleberryassociation. Site index for Pacific silver fir
Table 23: Productivity of the mountain hemlock/fool's huckleberry association
Tree Species
Western hemlockDouglas-firPacific silver firMountain hemlock
Radial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal Ind x5 7:
s Tree/
CoredOf ,:i$,, KG:!, e;A;, kifl:sD Me;;yr)sD ,:~!;;1, k$:)sDTrees
t ii s 9 1 273 34 124 22 23 5 230 103
2 0 i: 11; 1 239 1 6 107 6
380 83 5 3 4 14 286 180
1 211 5 8 99 26 16 :: ;i 5 286 7918 9 6 1 216 6 0 92 20 14 5 277 85
Table 24: Productivity of the mountain hemlock/Cascades azalea association
Current CurrentRadial VolumeIncre- Growth Volume Incre-
Number Site ment Basal Ind x men Treeof Index (2Oths/ Ar a 5 s
Cored (WTrees hean
10 yrs)Tree Species SD l&an SD
&;f/Ai, hihfsD m~~ir~s, k~~~~'l, Mei::)sD
Noble fir 5 99 - 13Douglas-fir 5Pacific silver fir 2: ii"9 - 7Mountain hemlock 18 :sWestern larch i63 5Engelmann spruce ii iAlaska yellow-cedar 6": iSubalpine fir ! 56 ': 3
(95) exceeds values for western hemlock (go),Douglas-fir (89) and mountain hemlock (87).Douglas-fir, Pacific silver fir and mountainhemlock account for the greatest contributionsto current volume increment of stands in thisassociation (Table 23). Volume index dataindicate that western hemlock, Douglas-fir andPacific silver fir are potentially the mostproductive species in this association, thoughthe former would be very difficult to establish.
Opportunities for intensive timber managementare poor in this association. Althoughclearcutting may be practiced with caution, highelevation and slopes less than 15 percentproduce high frost hazard sites wherealternative methods might be considered. Ashelterwood leaving about 50 percent of theinitial basal area (or 100 to 120 ft2/A)should provide sufficient protection forregeneration. Group selection harvest wouldprovide an added measure of seedling and siteprotection. The presence of mountain hemlock inthis type indicates a cold environment. Also,an average elevation of 3955 feet and a generalnorth aspect indicate heavy snow packs andfrequent frost. Especially on slopes less than15 percent, only frost resistant species such asmountain hemlock, Pacific silver fir, westernlarch, Engelmann spruce and western white pinemay survive and grow. Noble fir and Douglas-firare not suitable species in this associationbecause of their susceptibility to frost damage.
ComparisonsThe TSME/MEFE Association is most similar to theABAM/MEFE habitat type described by Franklin(1966) for southern Washington and by Franklinet al. (1979) for Mt. Rainier National Park.Their habitat type represents a warmer site thanthe TSME/MEFE Association.
Mountain HemlocklCsscade Azalea Association(CM, S2.23) TSMElRHALThe mountain hemlock/Cascades azalea association. - ._ _ _ . _ . .
- 383 - 191 - 30 - 164 -- 274 - 118 6 : - 2241 245 61 113 44 17 16 23: 4 215 162 236 46 91 28 13 6 23 3 219 3- 2110 184 69 ;: 35
1 23ii 23
- 225
i - 19.- 217 5
- 156 - 49 - - 183 -- 134 - 38 -, 4 - 18 - 191 -
species and the herb layer is low in diversity.Environmental factors important in thisassociation are heavy snowpacks, short growingseasons and relatively cool temperaturesthroughout the growing season.
CompositionandStructurePacific silver fir and mountain hemlock dominatethis association, their cover averaging 26 and24 percent, respectively (Table 30). Both actas seral species, indicating a cool, moistenvironment. Mature western hemlock occursinfrequently. Pacific silver fir regenerationaverages between 10 and 35 percent cover.Mountain hemlock regeneration averages less than5 percent cover. Seedlings of other species,including western hemlock and Alaskayellow-cedar, occasionally occur.
Cascades azalea (RHAL), fool's huckleberry(MEFE) and Vaccinium species dominate a verydense (mean cover 68 .percent) shrub layer. RHALcover varies between 5 and 30 percent, but thecover of other shrubs including MEFE and bighuckleberry (VAME) may be higher. Other commonshrubs include dwarf bramble (RULA), five leafbramble (RUPE) and sitka mountain ash (SOSI).Only two or three herbaceous species are usuallypresent. Beargrass (XETE) and sidebells pyrola(PYSE) are the most common herbs.
PhysiographyandSoilsThis association generally occurs on gentleslopes or benches with north aspects (Table 36),but may also occur on very steep slopes.Elevation ranges from 4000 to 5300 feet. Thesoil profile is generally rocky compared toother associations, cotmnonly containing one ormore layers with over 40 percent coarsefragments. Average soil depth is 53 inches.Effective rooting depth averaged 37 inches.Pumice layers dominate, soil profiles but to alesser extent than in the other upper elevationassociations. Colluvial and glacial depositsoccurred in the upper 12 inches of the soil in60 percent of the plots. Typically encounteredTRI soil mapping units included 17 and 34.Is tOwId in cool, hfgh elevation Sites where
Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock dominatethe over,story. The dense shrub layer containsCascades azalea and a variety of huckleberry
70
:v!
i I
: ._
Productivityand Management ConsiderationsOverall productivity is low for stands in themountain hemlock/Cascades azalea association.Site index values for noble fir (99), Pacificsilver fir (89) and Douglas-fir (86) are higherthan those for western larch (83), Engelmannspruce (81), mountain hemlock (76), Alaskayellow-cedar (62) and subalpine fir (56).Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlock accountfor the greatest contributions to current volumeincrement of stands in this association (Table24). Volume index data indicate that noble firis potentially the most productive species inthis association, followed by Douglas-fir andPacific silver fir. Growth basal areainformation here indicates that stocking isgenerally limited for most species, thuslimiting overall volume production per acre.This association occurs at high elevations onnortherly aspects and indicates a severeenvironment. The cold, wet environment mayprevent Douglas-fir and noble fir from becomingestablished and may be responsible for thesparse herbaceous layer.
There may be delays in successful regenerationin this association. Only frost-resistantspecies such as Engelmann spruce, western whitepine, Pacific silver fir and mountain hemlockmay survive on sites with less than 15 percentslope. Regeneration success cannot be assuredif Douglas-fir or noble fir are planted.Beargrass and sedges may quickly occupy openingsand seriously delay conifer regeneration.
This association affords poor opportunities forIntensive timber management. Althoughclearcutting may be practiced with caution, thehigh elevation, gentle slopes less than 15percent, cold soil temperatures, short growingseason, heavy snowpack and high frost hazard(indicative of a severe environment forregenerating seedlings) together encourage theuse of alternative methods. A shelterwoodleaving about 50 percent of
hhe initial stand
basal area (or 110 to 130 ft /A) shouldprovide adequate protection for seedlings.Group selection will provide an added measure ofregeneration success, as well as increased siteprotection. Any advanced regeneration ofmountain hemlock and Pacific silver fir whichcan be saved will help keep these sitesoccupied. Since this association is found onhfgh elevation, north aspects, fire hazard is _not great. Slash could be left as added frostprotection for small seedlings.
ComparisonsFranklin's (1966) CHMO/RHAL habitat type issomewhat similar except that Alaska yellow-cedaris the climax species. His CHNO/RHAL type 5sprobably wetter than the TSME/RHAL association.Franklin et al. (1979) described an ABAM/RHALhabitat type at Mt. Rainier that is also similarto the TSME/RHAL association described here.The major differences are that Alaskayellow-cedar is a major overstory constituent in:;;;;niype and western hemlock is entirely
. Henderson and Peter (19821 described aTSME/RiAL association sfmilar to o&s, exceptthat their TSME cover was approximately twicethat described here.
71
: ;
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d
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Halverson, N. M. and W. H. Emmingham. 1982. Reforestation in the Cascade Pacific silver fir zone : asurvey of sites and management experiences on the Gifford Pinchot, Mt. Hood and Willamette NationalForests. USDA Forest Service. Pacific Northwest Region Area Guide R6-ECOL-091-1982. 40 pp.
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Herman, F. R. and J. F. Franklin. 1976. Errors from application of western hemlock site curves tomountain hemlock. USDA Forest Service Research Note PNW-276. Pacific Northwest Forest and RangeExperiment Station. Portland, Oregon. 6 pp.
Herring, L. J. and D. F. Etheridge. 1976. Advance amabilis-fir regeneration. British Columbia ForestService and Canadian Forestry Service Joint Report No. 5. Vancouver Forest District. Victoria,British Columbia, Canada. 23 pp.
Hoyer, G. E. 1980. Shelterwood regeneration opportunities in Washington State, defined by foresthabitats. Forest Land Management Contribution No. 203. Department of Natural Resources. Olympia,Washington. 36 pp.
Hughes, J., C. Puuri, 0. Boyer, K. Eldredge, K. Lindsay, R. Jaszkowski, D. Kingsley, M. Conan, 0. Kyleand C. Spoon. 1979. Shelterwood cutting in Region 6. USDA Forest Service Task Force Report.Pacific Northwest Region. Portland, Oregon. 54 pp.
Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey and J. W. Thompson. 1977. Vascular plants of the PacificNorthwest. Vol.l-5. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 2978 pp.
ilaszkowski, R. T., H. Legard and K. McGonagill. 1975. A silvicultural guide to using the shelterwoodsystem on the Willamette National Forest. USDA Forest Service. Pacific Northwest Region.Willamette National Forest. Eugene, Oregon. 31 pp.
Johnson, G. P. 1980. Site index equations for mountain hemlock on three habitat types in the centralOregon Cascades. M.S. Thesis. Oregon State University, Corvallis. 56 pp.
Klock, 6. 0. 1981. Effects on the forest floor of Mount St. Helens 1980 tephra deposits (abstract).Northwest Science 54th Annual Meeting, March 26-28, Northwest Science Association, p. 48.
Lotan, J. E., M. E. Alexander, S. F. Arno, R. E. French, 0. 6. Langdon, R. M. Loomis, R. A. Norum, R. C.Rothermel, W. C. Schmidt and J. V. Wagtendonk. 1981. Effects of fire on flora. USDA Forest ServiceGeneral Technical Report WO-16. Washington, D.C. 71 pp.
McIntosh, R. P. 1967. The continuum concept of vegetation. Botanical Review 33:130-187.
Means, J. E. 1980. Dry coniferous forests in the western Oregon Cascades. Ph.D. Dissertation. OregonState University, Corvallis. 268 pp.
Parton, W. J. and 6. S. Innis. 1972. Some graphs and their functional forms. Technical Report No.153. Grassland Biome, U.S.I.B.P. Natural Resource Ecology Lab. Colorado State University, FortCollins. 41 pp.
73
Ramensky, L. 6. 1924. Basic regularities of vegetation cover and their study. Vestnick opytnogo delaVorenezh. pp. 37-73.
Schmidt, W. C., R. C. Shearer and A. L. Roe. 1976. Ecology and silviculture of western larch forests.USDA Forest Service Technical Bulletin No. 1520. Inter-mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.Odgen, Utah. 60 pp.
Sullivan, M. J. 1978. Regeneration of tree seedlings after clearcutting on some upper-slope habitattypes in the Oregon Cascade Range. USDA Forest Service Research Paper PNW-245. Pacific NorthwestForest and Range Experiment Station. Portland, Oregon. 17 pp.
Swank, W. L. and J. 6. Waide. 1980. Interpretation of nutrient cycling research in a managementcontext : evaluating potential effects of alternative management strategies on site productivity.pp. 137-157. In R. H. Waring (ed.) Forests : fresh perspectives from ecosystem analysis.Proceedings offhe 40th Biological Colloquium. Oregon State Univerisy, Corvallis.
Swanson, F. J., B. Collins and 8. P. Wicherski. 1982. Erosion of hillslopes affected by volcaniceruptions. Proposed USDA Forest Servce Research Paper. Pacific Northwest Forest and RangeExperiment Station. Portland, Oregon.
Thornburg, D. A. 1969. Dynamics of the true fir-hemlock forests of the west slopes of the WashingtonCascade Range. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Washington, Seattle. 210 pp.
Topik, C. 1982. Forest floor accumulation and decomposition in the western Cascades of Oregon. Ph.D.Dissertation. University of Oregon, Eugene. 172 pp.
Troll, C. 1955. Der Mount Rainier und das mittlere Cascaden-gebirge. Erdkunde 9:264-274.
1J.S. Weather bureau. 1965. Annual precipitation for the State of Washington from 1930 to 1957. U.S.Dept. of Commerce and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Portland, Oregon.
Volland, L. A. and M. Connelly.Forest Service.
1978. Computer analysis of ecological data: methods and programs. USDAPacific Northwest Region. Publication No. R6-ECOL-79-003. Portland, Oregon. 382
PP.
Waring, R. H. 1969. Forest plants of the eastern Siskiyous : their environment and vegetationaldistribution. Northwest Science 43:1-17.
Whittaker, R. H. 1962. Classification of natural communities. Botanical Review 28:1-239.
Williamson, R. L. 1973. Results of shelterwood harvesting of Douglas-fir in the Cascades of westernOregon. USDA Forest Service Research Paper PNW-160. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range ExperimentStation. Portland, Oregon.
Wykoff, W. R., M. L. Crookston and A. R. Stage. 1981. User's guide to stand prognosis model. ProposedUSDA Forest Service General Technical Report.Ogden, Utah. 201 pp.
Inter-mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.
Zobel, D. B., A. McKee, 6. M. Hawk and C. T. Dyrness. 1976. Relationships of environment tocomposition, structure and diversity of forest communities of the central western Cascades ofOregon. Ecological Monographs 46(2):135-156.
7 4
-, Appendix I: Vegetation PhysiCharacteri&ics ofo&%hk~%%
1:-
Table 25: Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/salal, Pacific silver fir/dwarf Oregon grape
ABAM/ACTR-CLUNNumber of Samples
ABAM/BENE ABAM/GASH42 17 13
Constancy* Cover* S.D.* Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
Mature trees:
ABAMABLAPABPRPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
90 16
5: 1:2
iiii
35
2; 386 175 3
Total 100 72
Regenerating trees:
ABAMCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
100 10
2; 25 4
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLDBENEGASHCHUMPAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
i3”124 81760
7:4 0
ti69833814106217105255
Total 100
1 0 94
1: 2690 18
1: 12
f 5:13 94
1 24
10 100
15
1;4
2:3
3;4
77
1204
5150
1:2
8
92 14
15 1 0
1;; 2:23
1::1:21
100 74
8 100
3 41
62 I;
1 1
1:3
8
1:0
100 1 08 2
ii! 9 5
13
7
1;
1:15
16
0"
f
f3
:1: 152 1
100
235
12 9
;: z1 1
5 9
:“918244 7
:i12
5 5’1: 2:31 1’63 31 0
100 40 10
388
;;62
10:100
9223
.158
i”2
2155423
88
8
100
2 12
1: :11
: :
:: 1665 3
f ii: 0
3 :44 z22 :4: i
0
2 0
50 20
76i
and Pacific silver fir/vanillaleaf-queencup beadlily associations
Number of SamplesABAM/ACTR-CLUN ABAM/BENE ABAM/GASH
42 17 13.Constancy* Cover* S.D.* Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
Herbs:
PTAQXETEDIHOPOACASCEGAORGO06HIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02FRAGAACTRADBZVAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANDEPYPIANLYPOSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIOFt2VISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIACRUATFIBLSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: total
ii52
:z3164
ii1964
:3"74
10:
3:407
:'7
:8362
I:
:"97
::64605
27
f
100
1 0 0
36
P
s21
:
f
:
1 :
‘32
:
:
t12
:21
i392
:11
50
1 0
ii:::5:
1:
1:
f1
:
:3
A1
:
:
:391
0
i0
24
17
82
65
::59
1212
1224
6
;4912
f :4776
6
1 0 0
1 0 0
4
1 02
2"
21
12
1
4”2
i
i
3
13
:2
A
01
$21
21
ii
30 0
26 26
23 25
4:
f :
4:548
ii:
Ff1546
2:15
ii3 862'
8
1 0 0
1 0 0
09
:0
%
:1 1
2
i1
: 01
1 0
27 16
30 23
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this community which contained the species.Cover is the mean of the cover observations for each species. The mean was computed usingonly the samples in which it occurred.S.D. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
77
Mature trees:
ABAMABLA2ABPRPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
Total
Regenerating trees:
ABAMCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLOBENEGASHCHUMPAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
Total
93
14
7;
3895
7
100
98
R79
1;7
f “g14
3372
622
100
29
6
lf
2;3
70
19337
3
z26
6
P
;2
44
17
4
39
113
13
15
:6
2
!s178
:410
22
78
Table 26: Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry associations
ABAM/VAAL ABAMiVAAL-GASHNumber of Samples 42 17
Constancp Cover* so* c. . onstancy Cover . .
88
12
1.2100
128294
6
100
25
10
15
1:23
5
69
14
8
1:
6”170
13
94 17 14
si z27
24
88
z:
71
ii12
100
2
6
2”
s7
2:
235
66
1
461
.3971
01
:12
2126
21
Number of SamplesABAM/VAAL ABAM/VAAL-GASH
42 17Cover S.D. Constancy Cover . .Constancy
Herbs:
PTAQXETEDIHOPOACASCPGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLAE
E l 2FRAGAACTRADBIVAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANDEPYPIANLY2OSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIOR2VISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIACRUATFIBLSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: total
31
2
;26
697
229
45
262
2:
1;2
1:
43
125
;
1;645
57
1 0 0
1 0 0
9
z
I
:11
5
45
2"2
:
2'
4
5
3
i
2"
11
14
3 9
a
7
01
1 6
28
4: i07
65
4:
47
a f
356
2
24
6
la
2:
:
21 il1 1
2 1
35 :
7 4
1 0
1 0
: :
: :
2971a2
2 1.
1:43
6 1 0
29 1 1
1 0 0
1 0 0
1 7 1 3
47 33
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this community whichcontained the species.Cover is the mean of the cover observations for each species. The meanwas computed using only the samples in which it occurred.S.D. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
79
I 80
Table 27: Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/devil's club and Pacific
ABAM/OPHO ABAM/TIUNNumber of Samples 25 36
Constancy* Cover* . . * Constancy Cover . .
Mature trees:
ABAMABLA2ABPRPIENPIMOPSMETABRT H P LTSHETSME
92 28 17
48 13 7
68 18 14
;:12
153
97
4:146
813
ii1 1
16
1:5
150
1 :3
Total 100 60 19 100 71 16
Regenerating trees:
ABAMCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
100161680
13 1 1
i 36 3
976
iz6
1344
3'
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLDBENE
i%iPAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
944
ii
:12
1:4
4:
iti
5':6036
3:204
96
10015
i8
s00
f
:76
:
:
3:
:
%19
;6
s
;2
1:
1;6
54212
:
ii23
.:.7
32
:
1’:
:7
:6
:2
Total 100 67 28 100 39 22
silver fir/coolwort foamflower associations
Number of SamplesABAM/OPHO ABAM/TIUN
2 5 3 6Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
Herbs:
PTAQXETED I H OP O ACASCPGAORGO08HIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02FRAGAACTRADBIVAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANDEPYPIANLYPO S C HC L U NSMSTSTROVASIVIOR2VISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIACRUATFIBLSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: total
6 6
: :2 1
5
1 2
:
t
4
:2
3
:1
144
:2
1:5
:i5
1:4
:
:
i
13
1:2 3
4
1:3
6 8 2 6
1 6 1 9
;2
:2
:
z
5
f2
:
:
51
2
:
:3
%2
63
571 6
1
:3
4 4
2 0
:
:
:01
510
:0
I85
:02
:2
4”26
I17
ii2 7
00
1
2 7
2 2
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this.conwnunity whichcontained the species.Cover is the mean of the cover observations for each species. The meanwas computed using only the samples in which it occurred.S.D. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
Table 28: Plant cover for Pacific silver fir/fool's huckleberry and Pacific
ABAM/MEFE ABAM/RHALNumber of Samples 37 18
ConstancyC Cover* S.D.* Constancy Cover . .
Mature trees:
ABAMA8LA2ABPRPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
31
1:10
2:7
2:
15
1:0
8’0
14
100
2:17
5:
3410
9
ii11
1705
;5
Total 100 73 9
175072
100
::3
66
13810
12
Regenerating trees:
A0AUCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
100 18
1: i86 5
10045
89
1;5028
221
t5
140143
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSVMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLDBENE
FEziPAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
6 3 0
5
1:8
2;114314
2
i11316
T2
11 4 1
6 2 0
11 13 17
2211
52
21
069
::
51
F
iti
1283
::17
6676794
6
209
1:6
ii10
1:1
1:
1:610
:11
0
Total 100 62 19 100 64 17
SilVer fir/Cascades azalea associations
ABAM/MEFE ABAM/RHALNumber of Samples 37 18
Constancy Cover . . Constancy Cover . .
Herbs:
PTAQXETEOIHOPOACASQGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02FRAGAACTRADBIVAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANDEPYPIANLY2OSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIOR2VISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIACRUATFIBLSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: total
343
1:5
32
21459
:
3
5 :
8 1 1
8”3
f1
3”
if
100
loo
34
26
x
:
22
22
7: 1;6 1
015
0
22
78
3:
2:
3 9
22
11.
2
2
1
1
6 2 0
726
i49
::3 9176
E
1 0 0
1 0 0
I39
30
28
1 9
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this community whichcontained the species.Cover is the mean of the cover observatfons for each species. The mean wascomputed using only the samples in which it occurred.S.D. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
Table 29: Plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry associations
Number of SamplesABAM/VAME/CLUN ABAM/VAME/XETE
26 13Cover* S D * Constancy. . COVer S.D.Constancy*
Mature trees:
ABAM
~~PIENPIMOPSMTABRTHPLTSHETSME
26
224
2:
:14
9
Total 6 9
Regenerating trees:
ABAMCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLDBENE
ElPAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
3 8
E15
8
8 2
6535 3
8:9642
112 7
8
5:
f18
1:
f512
Total 100 31
1 4
254
1 :
ii1 1
5
10
1 20
I2
31
1:1
2
13
:1 1
;1
ii01
14
100
23
1:92
15
s:
100
20
26
%1 1
2:9
61
100
2377
14
4”
15 3
23 2
3 8 48 1
ii3 il
100 36
14
19018
1;0
15
7
P
3
1
.30
f
:1 1
51
:21
13
kumber of SamplesABAM/VAME/CLUN ABAM/VAME/XETE
2 6 1 3Constancy Cover . . Constancy Cover . .
Herbs:
PTAQXETEDIHOPOACASCEGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02FRAGAACTRAD81VAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANDEPYPIANLYZOSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIORZVISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORM O S IACRUATFI8LSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: Total
5 8
1 55 4
88 1
3 12 7
2:
2 78
:8 8
:z3 51 9
3:5 4
4
1 0 0
1 0 0
2
5221
f
z2367
1 0
4 0 2 3
8 1 1
22 4
1
212
:
:
5 4 6 3
5 4 3 3
3 8
1 5
1
0
10
0
;00
012
8
2
1
21
1
1’:11
224
1
3 0
2 0
0
1 0 0
1 0 0
2 0
2 3
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this community whichcontained the species.Cover is the mean of the cover observations for each species. The mean wascomputed using only the samples in which it occurred.S.D. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
8 5
Table 30: Plant cover of the mountain hemlock associations
TSME/RHAL TSME/MEFE TSMEflAME#umber of Samples 9 10 13
Constancy* Cover* S.D.* Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
Mature trees:
ABAMABLAPABPRPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
Total
Regenerating trees:
ABAMCHNOTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
RILAROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURACGLDBENE
2:PAMYRUN1RUPARULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
Total
86
2233
i”9 2: 15 ;: 1:
100 is 8 100 57
10033
2256
1 1
22
100100
78
::1 1
:li
1:
100
150
5 :
100
::10
2
33
1:189
100
:z31316 2
ii16
4
1’:
18
2:3
:
6 319 77
14 100
:“7 ::
63 19
225
7
1 15
:
10010
508 0
2510
z
140
42
100 16 10
23 746 4 :
10
:8:
158
101
zi
00
Fi
1 010 5 0
2 05
91
1:62611
21
1;
4
E2
i
2:47
1:
ii8 0
:i100
6010
5
:t8
4
1;
2:
1:1 1
63
t13
i!l
1::15
934
42:
1
:
:62
8
;2
2031
68 16 100 65 I 19 100 42 24
Number of SamplesTSME/RHAL TSME/MEFE TSMEflAME
9 1 0 1 3Cover* so*. . Constancy Cover S.O. Constancy Cover S.O.Constancy*
Herbs:
PTAQXETEOIHOPOACASQGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02FRAGAACTRAOBIVAHEPYASVIGLPERAGATRASCA3ANOEPYPIANLYZOSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIORPVISETIUNCOCAGYOROXORMOSIACRUATFIBLSPEQAR
Total
Mosses: total
6 7
11
11
6 7
2 2
2 2
11
11
2 2
::3 3
2 2
1 0 0
100
11
5
1
2
1
4
1
1
142
8
2
1 8
9
7
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
t05
0
1 1
9
70
::
80
3 0
30
30
1 01 0
20
2 0
1 0
::40
zi1 0404 0
1 0
1 0
100
1 0 0
1 1
i
1 0
:
2
2
1
1
1 0
1 0
3 5 2 4
1 8 2 1
* Constancy is the percentage of the sample plots in this community whichCover is the mean'of the cover observations for each species. The meanonly the samples in which it occurred.S.O. is the standard deviation of observations around the mean.
:5 4
1 5
8
3 1
8
1 5
6:8
5:2 3
8
1 0 0
1 0 0
2:
1
52
1
5
3
1
3
i1
5
23
29
3
1:0
0 ’
2
0
0
0
t
i20
1 6
2
contained the.species.was computed using
a7
Table 31: Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fjr/salal, Pacificsilver fir/dwarf Oregon grape and Pacific silver fir/vanilTaleaf-queencup beadlilyassociations
Number of Samples
Physiography
ABAM/ACTR-CLUN ABAM/BENE ABAM/GASH42 17 13
Mean S.D. Mean S.D. Mean S.D.
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (X)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)PercentLayer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
litter coverThickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inchesjCoarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
3426 751 3459 460 2631 694
21 18
238
51
3”;62
20
952 9: 8:3 0 15
531
96
2:
1:34
2:36
2
5:.2
18
1 :4
301
:i1
:z2
:z1
482
98
204
A4 4
2:44
2
::2
1614
2;0
3:1
i:1
3;2
601
993
4 21
:37
1:30
1
:;3
18
:
5;0
:i
1:32
1
:“o2
fl
. 1
88
Table 32: Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry associations
Number, of Samples
Physiography
ABAM/WAi ABAM/VAAL-GASH42 l/
Mean . . Mean . .
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (X)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)PercentLayer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
litter coverThickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
3355 476 2806 628
4
:i
17
18
1;
4:0
:50
PiI2
:z2
61 242 1
99 04
40 4:1 0
227 2:2 1
ii :i2
2::
351 0
89
Table 33: Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silverfir/devil's club and Pacific silver fir/coolwort foamflowerassociations
Number of SamplesABAM/OPHO ABAMfTIUN
25 36Mean S.D. Mean . .
Physiography
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (X)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)Percent litter coverLayer 1 Thickness (inches)
Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 2 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 3 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 4 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
3728 437
::
d
8: 6:16 25
21
60 189: 2
2: 26 ii
A ii29 362 1
iti ::2 2
if i;2 1
3342 748
3333
::
zi21
80
622
986
29
1:34
2;382
22
161
%380
::
2:341
ii0
“1.! I‘L. )
;f ?i. i
90
Table 34: Physiographic and soil characteristics offir/fool's huckleberry and Pacific silverassociations
the Pacific silverfir/Cascades azalea
Number of SamplesABAM/MEFE ABAM/RHAL
37 18Mean . . Mean . .
Physiography
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (%)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)PercentLayer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
litter coverThickness (inches)Coarse fragments (W)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
3673 378
0
::
64
953
411
3:
1:53
1; 1:36 34
1 1
19
22
:3
420
3:1
3:
49
95
2::1
2;
1;46
1:40
3
3%
18
19
2:4
400
3:1
::
1:35
3
91
Table 35: Physiographic and soil characteristics of the Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry associations
Number of Samples
Physiography
ABAM/VAME/CLUN ABAM/VAME/XETE2 6 1 3
Mean . . Mean . .
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (X)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
3781 475 3831 5 9 9
:: :3
i; ::21 21 18 1 9
27: zi
4
:::i1 5
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)Percent litter coverLayer 1 Thickness (inches)
Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 2 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 3 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
Layer 4 Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
4 6 1 4 5 0
9: : 9:
1:4
1:3 2
1:2 5 2: :;2 2
:; :i1:30
31: 3: 2:3 3 4 3
2 2 2
1 42
3”2 41
::
ii3 5
2:43
1
Table 36: Physiographic and soil characteristics of the mountain hemlock associations
Number of Samples
Physiography
TSME/RHAL TSME/MEFE TSME/VAME9 10 13
Mean S.O. Mean S.O. Mean S.O.
Elevation (feet)Aspect
Percent NorthPercent EastPercent SouthPercent West
Slope (%)Percent less than 15%Percent greater than 15%
LandformPercent on RidgesPercent on SlopesPercent in Bottoms
Soil
Total depth (inches)Litter depth (inches)PercentLayer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
litter coverThickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (%)Fragment size (inches)Thickness (inches)Coarse fragments (X)Fragment size (inches)
416 3955 313 4362 710
2 0
:8
13 61
1 9:
5:
ii2 8
1
:!I1
::1
233 13 8
81 2
5:62
5”:15
22 4 32 10
4:0
3:
1:27
0
f6”0
92
1:
ii26
1;38
2
:z2
1 0
221
23
3:
t2 9
1
3:1
it:1
93
______---_----.--~.-~~ ----- ---- -_ ----,---______-~--1~-_____ d
_-~ Appendix II: Empirical High Growth Curves andI Volume Estimates
y-
:!. !
( -.
$1.‘
i::.C:;,!
,
: ii I
95
8
180
160
140
120
ff 100BI 80
60
40
20
C
High Production Moderate Production Low ProductionABAM/OPHO ABAM/MEFE TSME/VAMEABAM/TIUN ABAM/VAME/XETE TSME/MEFEABAMIACTR-CLUN ?WiM;;V~/CLUN TSME/RHAL
ABAMIRHALABAMIVAAL-GASH ABAMIBENEABAMIGASH
I I I I I I I I I I
50 100 150 200 250 300 350' 400 450 500
AGE (Yrs.)
DOUGLAS-FIR HEIGHT GROWH BYPRODUCTIVITY CLASS.
180
120
100
80
60
High ProductionABAMIOPHOABAMITIUNABAM/ACTR-CLUN
Moderate Production Low ProductionABAMIMEFE TSME/VAMEABAMIVAMEIXETE TSME/MEFEABAMIVAMEICLUN TSME/RHALABAM/VAAL ABAMIRHALABAMIVAAL-GASH ABAM/BENEABAM/GASH
I I I I I I I I I
50 100I
150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
AGE (Yrs.)
WESTERN HEMLOCK HEIGHT GROWTH BYPRODUCTIVITY CLASS.
180
80
60
40
20
C
ABAMiGASH
I I I I I I 8 I I 150 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
AGE (Yrs.)
PACIFIC SILVER FIR HEIGHT GROWTH BYPRODUCTIVITY CLASS.
180
160
140
- 120g
!z 100
iii= 80
60
40
20
ABAMITIUNABAMIACTR-CLUN
Moderate ProductionABAM/MEFEABAM/VAME/XETEWM;;V.LE/CLUN
ABAMIVAAL-GASHABAMIGASH
I I I I I I I I I 1
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
AGE (Yrs.)
NOBLE FIR HEIGHT GROWH BY PRODUCTIVITYCLASS
180
160
140
A 80
30
40
20
0
Low ProductionTSMEIVAMETSME,‘MEFETSME/RHALABAMIRHALABAM/BENE
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500AGE (Yrs.)
MOUNTAIN HEM-LOCK HEIGHT GROWTH BYPRODUCTIVITY CLASS.
High Production Associations
ABAM/OPHOABAWTIUNABAM/ACTR-CLUN
. .
I I I I I I 1 I I I
50 loo 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
STAND AGE (Years)
ANNUAL VOLUME INCREMENT OVER PAST TENYEARS FOR HIGH- PRODUCTION ASSOCIATIONS
150
0
.
.
Moderate Production Associations
ABAM/MEFEABAMIVAMEIXETEABAM/WvlE/CLUNABAMIVAALABAM/VAAL-GASHABAMIGASH
.
..
..
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
STAND AGE (Years)
ANNUAL VOLUME INCREMENT OVER PAST TENYEARS FOR MOPERATE PRODUCTIONASSOCIATIONS’
-_ i--i- Lyr-: ‘-:-.
150
100
50
0
Low Production Associations
.
.. .
.
. .
TSME/VAMETSME/MEFETSME/RHALABAMIRHALABAM/BENE
.
.
.
50 loo 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
STAND AGE (Years)
ANNUAL VOLUME INCREMENT OVER PAST TENYEARS FOR LOW. PRODUCTION ASSOCIATIONS
:1ti7i.
,--. Appendix Ill: Curves for Site Indexand Growth Basal Area
.’ :
,--.
i- _
I
105
0
I 50 1 0 0 153 200 250
AGE (YEARS)
S i t e I n d e x C u r v e s f o r P a c i f i c s i l v e r f i r ( H e g y i , et a l . 1981)I n d e x A g e ICICI.
I/ I I I I I I Is o loo 150 2 0 0 2 5 0
B R E A S T - H E I G H T A G E ( Y e a r s )
Site Index Curves for high-elevatfon Noble fir (Herman, et al. 1978).Index Age 100.
so0 sso
106
t---/ !!!,.i
.-.
(
250
200
zg 150
!F
EI
1 0 0
50
50 XM 150 2cm 250
B R E A S T - H E I G H T A G E ( Y e a r s )
S i t e I n d e x Cures f o r h i g h - e l e v a t i o n D o u g l a s - f i r ( C u r t i s , e t a l . 1 9 7 4 ) .Index Age 100.
3 0 0
, -
I I I I I I
v 50.~
1tXJ 1 5 0 200 250 300
AGE (Years)
SITE INDEX CURVES FOR WESTERN HEMLOCK FROM SILVICULTUREPRACTICES HANDBOOK (FSH 2409.264.61.3). INDEX AGE 100.
107
180
160
=g 143
Lc
!i0 12 0i iI
2: loo
80
40
20
, -
I -
,I I I 4
150 200 250 300
AGE (Years)
SITE INDEX CURVES FOR MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK. INDEXAGE 100. (HERMAN AND FRANKLIN 1976).
/. I I I f I I I I I I I I I
20 40 60 80 loo 120 14 lea 180 ml 220 2 4 0 2 6 0 280300
B R E A S T - H E I G H T A G E ( Y e a r s )
Site I n d e x C u r v e s f o r E n g e l m a n n s p r u c e i n C o l o r a d o ( A l e x a n d e r , 1967).I n d e x A g e 100.
SI 4c
; ’I (i I
: :I
1 0 8
1
, /
1 i
-..
. _^i j‘!?Li
. _..
:. ._
..^,
..-
::. . . .I..-&
. . . i
L t I I I I I I I I 1M 40 as w 1W 120 $40 160 180 ml
B R E A S T - H E I G H T A G E (Yean)
Site Index Curves for lodgepole p i n e @ahms. 1964) .Index Age 100 .
AGE (Years)
SITE INDEX CURVES FOR WESTERN lARCH(SCHMIDT ET AL. 1976). INDEX AGE 100.
109
ABWCLUN
ABLAMETE
I I I I I I0 5 0 100 1 5 0 2 0 0 2 5 0 3ou
AGE (Years)
Predicted height growth of subalpine fir in two habitat types from the Clearwater NationalForest (Intermountain Region) (Wykoff et al, 1981).
- - - - - ABLACLUW “.T.
AGE (Years)
Predicted height growth of western while pine in two habitat types from theClearwaler National Fwest (lntennountain Region) Wykoff et al. 1981) .
110
--
. I
. ~
. ..-,\
q
i
1
i:-,
180
160
140
0 120
ii!g 100aho
80
40
20
c
Sl160
Sl140
Sl120
SI 100
SI 80
, I2040$0
i80 100
AGE(Years)
SITE INDEX CURVES FOR GRAND FIR (COCHRAN1979). INDEX AGE 100.
0.550.590.62 z
N TREE AGE
204060 8 0 KIO 200 300 5
1 2 0 =,1 0 0 uY
8 060
g+
0 2 4 6 8101214161820222426 28303234363840
20ths INCH RADIUS GROWTH (last 10 years)
100 50 33 2520 17 14 12 1110 9 8 7 6 5RINGS PER IKH
Conversion factor curves for growth basal area (Hall 1983).
111
-3 Appendix IV: fI~~~c~#o~i~wactetistics of Each
,._.
I__
._..
.-.I
i f113
1 1 4
Regional values for plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/salal, Pacific silver fir/
ABAM/GASH ABAM/BENE ABAM/VAAL-GASH
Number of Samples 20Gifford Pinchot 13Mt. Baker-SnoqualmieMount Hood iWillamette 0
Constancy Cover S.D.
1121710
:z
Constancy Cover S.D.
2017
030
Constancy Cover S.D.
Trees:
ABAMABLA2ABPRCHNOPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
ROGYS Y M OVAPAACCIRUURBENE
tiX1:PAMYRULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
100 23 20
20 6 65 7 0
158550
1:;5
2: 15
1: 1:36 193 0
25 2 1
9070
1::10085
si
ii6515
ii25
5
15 1:1
ii1: 184 321 :
1 511 171 11 12 2
: A
5 2 0
98
3:
:26
::33961 4
26 18
1: 117T 0
2: 15 ;
12 1513 1037 21
6 4
3 3
i “316 14
1% 1;5
iz
2 I
: f7 10
.i :4 4
21 ;4 0
37 19
5 7
5 020 101-l 4
2 7 1;5 0
2 0
18 4 7
5 :; 8
f :
: .:
26 1:
35
:2
5 6
dwarf Oregon grape and Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry-salal associations.
Herbs:
XETEDIHOWC2GAORGO06HIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02ACTRAD6 IVAHEPYASVIGLPERAASCA3ANDEPYPIANLY2OSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIVIOREVISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOS IA T F IBLSP
ABAM/GASH ABAM/BENE
Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
50 6 8
921 0
5
12
1
41
(:3
543
::
ii
6::
::
:z
:6
2937
I:51278
3:
2';67
1
:2
ABAM/VAAL-GASH
Constancy Cover S.D.
35 8
65
4:
50
5
:z5
iii
255
20
2;1 05
212
2
z2
:2
61
1
t1 6
1
3075
25
7
101
1
:10
:
ii
1
:2 1
0
:
1
115
116
Regional values for plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/Alaska huckleberry, Pacific
ABAM/VAAL ABAM/TIUN ABAM/OPHO
Number of SamplesGifford PinchotMt. Baker-SnoqualmieMount HoodWillamette
132 1274 2 3 690 0
i :?I
Constancy Cover S.D.
Trees:
ABAMABLAPABPRCHNOPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
ROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURBENEGASHCHUMPAMYRULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
1 0 0
484
::1 0 0
8
4 5 2 1
lf 1 3
1: 1;
1; 1:4 4 2 3
6 8
2 11 1
1: 1;: 1
i 4 I:
; 4
1 2 12 ;
3 4 2 65 9
25
:
1 1”
i 4 1
Constancy Cover S.D.
993
6 15
1’:8 4
6
iz2 3
3 4 2 11 6 1 42 0 1 7
1: 1:
2; 1’97 1 3
:: 1 97 6
3t :
1 1 1;3
! 1: 17 63 2
59 1 :
ti 1: 6
,24 :
42 f
i :
8 22 5
::2 2
Constancy Cover S.D.
100
3 71 1
:6 7
3;9 5
7
3 4 2 4
1 6 1 31 5 1 71 5 0
2 : 1:1 5 1 11 2 1 02 5 1 6
4 3
2 12 2
1: 1:
25 :
4’ 0 3
: :f 5
1 5 1:4 5
22 :
; z
3: 2;
. . silver firhoolwort foamflower and Pacific silver fir/devil's club associations.
ABAM/VAAL ABAM/TIUN ABAM/OPHO
Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
Herbs:
i;':
i
.-.
XETEDIHOcA!xPGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLA2SMRALIB02ACTRAD81VAHEPYASVIGLPERAAScA3ANDEPYPIANLY2
OSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVASIv IORVISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIATFIBLSP
164
:29
462
2:1
2
:14
t21a
1740
145
i21
f
::
1 :11
:5
1 :41
:2
il5
4"3
1;
2:a
;
384
1:279
iz666
:47a 7
z911322
10910
2a5
5:22
::90
f :13327421
4”3
%1
:
:4
1:
ii231
5
:2
1673
1
1:
::2 1
1 :3
! :
j i:,117
Regional values for plant cover of the Pacific silver fir/fool‘s huckleberry, Pacifichuckleberry/beargrass associations.
ABAM/MEFE ABAM/VAME/CLUN ABAM/VAME/XETE
Number of SamplesGifford Pinchot :"7Mt. Baker-SnoqualmieMount Hood 1:Willamette 0
Constancy Cover S.O.
Trees:
ABAMABLA2ABPRCHNOPIENPIMOPSMETABRTHPLTSHETSME
Shrubs:
ROGYSYMOVAPAACCIRUURBENEGASHCHUMPAMYRULAVAMEVAOVVAALRUPECHMEGAOVMEFESOS1RHALOPHO
98
;2 51 9
1’:
3:
ii:9 1
;ll513 43 49 44 213
a
4 8
1;
7
148
1:2 41 3
21
1:36
i2
1:
:496
f1 3
T4
1 7
1:241a
1 :1511
106
;
;2
:1 3
:::6
51 2
1
f
Constancy Cover S.O.
100
4:5
:::7 9
z6 549
2 71 6
21:
:47
6 5
2
zi1 0133 31 3
3:3
4 3
::4
6”2 2
4
1;1 2
“3
1:6
f2
123
2 3
127
1:
1 :4
1 51 0
7
z1 6
4
z1
I
:
Constancy Cover S.O.
118
silver fir/big huckleberry/queencup beadlily and Pacific silver fir/big
Herbs:
XETEDIHOcA!xEGAORGOOBHIALPYSEPOMUTROVTRLAZSMRALIB02ACTRADBIVAHEPYASVIGLPERAA S c A 3ANOEPYPIANLYPOSCHCLUNSMSTSTROVAS IVIOR2VISETIUNCOCAGYDROXORMOSIA T F IBLSP
ABAM/MEFE ABAM/VAME/CLUN ABAM/VAME/XETE
Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D. Constancy Cover S.D.
5 7
t
3 6
559
5:29
3:
1 2
f
I
52
i12
::
3236
:
1 111
2
:1
;
:7
:
:
:
k
6”3
:105
:
024
:4
5
:1
527
:
I
ii
4
5
i2
“333
1:
1
i11030
:
:5
i1
1:
3
:071
ii23
1;
0
90
ii
3:
6:
2’:1
2;3 4
:1 2
208
1;a5
1
t:
2:1 6
2
1
3 4131
:
:
:
:
:12
i12
5
1
7
:2
f
1
119.
Regional stand productivity values by association
Association
ABAM/BENE
ABAM/VAAL-GASH
ABAM/TIUN
ABAM/OPHO
ABAM/MEFE
ABAM/VAME/CLUN
ABAM/VAME/XETE
Number of PlotsQuad Mean
Glfford Pinchot Mt. Hood Willamette Total .-%%$%k~.
5 0 2 7 18 5
1 0 1 0 1 1 17. 5
8 6 13 14 20 7
8 4 1 12 22 8
7 3 0 1 0 18 4
9 1 2 12 20 7
5 5 3 13 15 5
120
:.+
; ”:.:::::,
2 5 6 4 0
300 6 5
3 5 1 88
3 3 4 6 7
2 6 6 5 0
290 6 3
3 2 1 8 7
3 8 2 7 6
450 71
511 1 5 8
4 0 2 1 3 0
3 9 7 9 4
4 1 2 8 8
5 0 9 1 5 4
SD1 Volume Increment Current Vol Increment(ft3/A/yr) 3
me(ft /A/yr)
Mean S.D. Mean S.D.
84 3 2 6 6 28
128 39 58 2 1
1 9 4 6 8 1 3 1 4 6
1 8 0 7 3 8 1 27
9 2 3 1 4 6 1 4
1 1 5 3 5 7 1 3 2
1 1 4 4 6 88 5 0
j i
.
Regional species productivity values by association
Association Volume Index (ft3/A/yr) Growth Basal Area (ft3/A)Mean . . Mean . .
ABAM/BENEPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/VAAL-GASHPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/TIUNPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/OPHOPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/MEFEPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/VAME/CLUNPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
ABAM/VAME/XETEPacific silver firNoble firDouglas-firWestern hemlock
117
1E129
1 5 61 5 61 7 31 5 4
1783072683 1 4
2 2 74 0 12 6 12 5 3
1 2 81 5 2
1;;
1 2 62 2 21 3 91 7 5
1 2 31 5 31 0 61 4 4
5:7 3
5:
1;:6 97 0
1::4 299
5 7
iFi
;:2 96 6
252283242274
294359346312
r
::i
427472
370526397400
278269219262
2433972723 2 6
286362256284
97
6 87 4
1;:a 5al
6 8
5:
1 1 1
::1 0 3
a 96 8a 79 3
1 0 4a 7
;i
1 1 31 3 01 2 41 3 2
1 2 31 5 11 3 41 2 5
1 0 41 0 61 0 01 0 4
,a5
ii9 9
2i2
la
%
ii -‘151 5
2 31 4
:67
2 7
ii
1 4
:z
1 51 0
1;
:l.22