Treesearch

A land-classification system based upon potential natural vegetation is presented for the forests of central Idaho. It is based on reconnaissance sampling of about 980 stands. A hierarchical taxonomic classification of forest sites was developed using the habitat type concept. A total of six climax series, 58 habitat types, and 24 additional phases of habitat types are defined and described. A diagnostic key is provided for field identification of the types based on indicator species used in development of the classification.

Availability of nesting sites can limit accipiter populations. Because accipiters nest in dense forest stands, any alteration that opens these stands is likely to lessen their desirability as nest sites. Tree growth and the associated changes in the vegetative structure of aging nest sites limit the number of years sites will be suitable. Therefore, prospective replacement sites should be selected within the core areas of home ranges before precommercial and commercial harvesting begins.

Detailed climatic description of Priest River Experimental Forest; applies to much of the northern Idaho panhandle. Covers year-round pattern and focuses on the fire season. Topographic and local site differences in climate are examined; also, climatic trends or fluctuations during the past 70 years. Includes numerous tables and graphs. Written particularly for forest managers and researchers.

This manual documents procedures for estimating the rate of forward spread, intensity, flame length, and size of fires burning in forests and rangelands. Contains instructions for obtaining fuel and weather data, calculating fire behavior, and interpreting the results for application to actual fire problems. This is a companion publication to "INT-GTR-142: Field procedures for verification and adjustment of fire behavior predictions" by R. C. Rothermel and G. C. Rinehart.

The problem of verifying predictions of fire behavior, primarily rate of spread, is discussed in terms of the fire situation for which predictions are made, and the type of fire where data are to be collected. Procedures for collecting data and performing analysis are presented for both readily accessible fires where data should be complete, and for inaccessible fires where data are likely to be incomplete. The material is prepared for use by field units, with no requirements for special equipment or computers. Procedures for selecting the most representative fuel model, for overall...

A cluster and discriminant analysis based on nine of the best plantations, partitioned the seed provenance populations into six geographic clusters according to their consistency of performance in the plantations.The Northcentral Nebraska cluster of three provenances performed consistently well above average in all plantations. These easternmost stands of ponderosa pine along the Niobrara River escarpment in Nebraska from the 101° longitude and eastward, and those in the drainage of the South Fork of the White River near Rosebud, S. Dak. are recommended for tree planting in all Great...

The usefulness of seismic, resistivity, and vegetation surveys for predicting subsurface strength characteristics of granitic rock was evaluated in the Idaho batholith. Rock strength varies inversely with degree of weathering and fracture density. Rocks that have weathered or altered to the point where they contain lays (referred to here as highly weathered rock) are particularly susceptible to mass failure following disturbance. Eleven of 12 zones identified as highly weathered were predicted by the surveys along a proposed road centerline. Using the same criteria, 10 other zones would...

The gross area of the Black Hills of South Dakota and associated Bear Lodge Mountains of eastern Wyoming is about 3.5 million acres (1.4 million ha). Roughly half the area supports forest or woodland cover. Essentially pure stands of climax Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) predominate on about 1.5 million acres (0.6 million ha). Scattered, smaller aggregations of similar ponderosa pine stands occupy about 250,000 acres (101 170 ha) of butte-top and scarp sites to the north and south of the Black Hills in Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana (3, 8, 19).

The increase in prairie dog populations on the northern High Plains has emphasized the need for additional information on cattle-prairie dog forage relationships. To obtain information on cattle-prairie dog forage relationships, 4 treatments were evaluated over 4 growing seasons. These treatments were: 1) no grazing (prairie dogs eliminated and cattle excluded), 2) grazing by prairie dogs, 3) grazing by cattle and 4) grazing by cattle and prairie dogs. In addition, forage utilized by cattle and prairie dogs was assessed. Standing crop values were obtained on all treatments by plant species...

The lichen (Parmelia chlorochroa) was most abundant in sagebrush and grassland vegetation associations, less so in the pine, and absent in riparian types. It was significantly associated with drier sites and bare ground. Lichens appear to have value in reducing erosion, as indicators of intensive grazing, and in contributing to the nutrient quality of soils.