Structure and Composition of a Dry Mixed-Conifer Forest in Absence of Contemporary Treatments, Southwest, USA

Dry mixed-conifer forests in the Southwest occupy an important ecological and hydrological role in upper watersheds. In the absence of reoccurring fire and silvicultural treatments over the last 50 years, we quantified forest structure and composition on prevailing north and south aspects of a dry m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forests 2017-09, Vol.8 (9), p.349
Main Authors: Cram, Douglas, Saud, Pradip, Baker, Terrell
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abies concolor
Animal behavior
aspect
Composition effects
Coniferous forests
desired future conditions
Ecological effects
Ecological monitoring
Forests
Historical account
Hydrologic models
Hydrology
Ordination
ordination analysis
Pine
Pine trees
Pinus ponderosa
Pinus strobiformis
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Regeneration
Restoration
Seedlings
Silviculture
Species composition
Watersheds
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Summary:Dry mixed-conifer forests in the Southwest occupy an important ecological and hydrological role in upper watersheds. In the absence of reoccurring fire and silvicultural treatments over the last 50 years, we quantified forest structure and composition on prevailing north and south aspects of a dry mixed-conifer forest in southcentral New Mexico using mixed models and ordination analysis in preparation for an experiment in ecological restoration. Results indicated overstory and midstory were dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and shade tolerant/fire intolerant white fir (Abies concolor) with interspersed mature aspen on north aspects, and Douglas-fir and Southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) on south aspects. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), which was historically co-dominant with Douglas-fir on north and south aspects, was subdominant on south aspects and almost entirely absent on north aspects. Regeneration was dominated by white fir saplings and seedlings on north aspects while ponderosa pine was completely absent. South aspect saplings and seedlings were characterized by Douglas-fir and Southwestern white pine, but almost no ponderosa pine. Ordination analysis characterized the effect of aspect on species composition. Understanding contemporary forest structure and composition is important when planning for desired future conditions that are to be achieved through ecological restoration using silvicultural techniques designed to foster resilience.
ISSN:1999-4907
1999-4907
DOI:10.3390/f8090349