Treesearch

Use of 36 livestock watering ponds by mallard (Anas playtrhynchos), blue-winged teal (A. discors), and total broods was tested against 32 habitat variables from 1977 and 1978. Pond size, shallow water areas with submersed vegetation, number of natural wetlands in a 1.6-km radius, and emersed vegetation composed of smartweed (Polygonum spp.) and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.) were associated with increased use of ponds by total broods. When analyzed by species, small grain on the surrounding section and height and density of shoreline vegetation were associated with increased use of ponds by...

This report develops a standard way of measuring stream, riparian, and biotic conditions and evaluates the validity of the measurements recommended. Accuracy and precision of most measurements are defined. This report will be of value to those persons documenting, monitoring, or predicting stream conditions and their biotic resources, especially those related to impacts from land uses.

Provides information on fire as an ecological factor for forest habitat types occurring east of the Continental Divide in Montana. Identifies "Fire Groups" of habitat types based on fire's role in forest succession. Describes forest fuels and suggests considerations for fire management.

A mathematical model for the near-surface flow of air up a sun-heated slope is derived. The model is used to produce tables and graphs for estimating "midflame II windspeeds as needed for predicting wildland fire behavior. The model applies on open or sparsely-forested slopes when there is otherwise no wind, from midday to late afternoon on clear summer days.

Needle area of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine and leaf area of aspen are predicted from d.b.h. or tree height. Leaf area index can be calculated from stand basal area.

Selected physical, chemical and bacteriological qualities of stream water entering and leaving a campground were examined during the summer of 1978 to investigate the influence of recreational use. Water samples were collected and analyzed at approximately biweekly intervals, and also three times daily before and after the Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends. Chemical and physical quality remained unchanged and densities of indicator bacteria in surface water were not significantly increased by recreational use of a campground equipped with modern sanitation facilities.

Lists alphabetically, by author, publications of the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station for 1980 through 1989, including both subject matter and author Indexes. This publication continues the information shown in USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RM-6, “Publications of the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1953-1973,” compiled by Mona F. Nickerson and Glen E. Brink, published in 1974; and “Publications of the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 1974-1979,” compiled by Sharon M. Litten, and published in 1980 (which included all...

Relationships between height of big sagebrush and crown area, fuel loading, bulk density, size distribution of foliage and stemwood, and fraction dead stemwood are presented. Based upon these relationships, modeled rate-of-fire spread and fireline intensity are shown for sagebrush ranging in height from 20 to 120 em and in coverage from 10 to 40 percent. Verification of predicted fire behavior and applications are discussed.

Subalpine lakeshore campsites were studied in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oreg. Light-use campsites had experienced almost as much alteration as moderate- and heavy-use sites. Sites set back from lakeshores had changed as much as lakeshore sites. Selected indicators of ecological change were evaluated. Implications of this research to management of wilderness campsites are discussed.

Populations of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) from Montana west of the Continental Divide were compared in common environments. Differentiation was observed for six variables reflecting growth potential, phenology and cold hardiness. Adaptation of populations for numerous traits is viewed as a balance between selection of high growth potential in relatively mild environments and selection for cold hardiness in severe environments. Adaptive variation is described according to two physiographic zones, elevation within each zone, and latitude within zones.