Shrub-steppe vegetation trend, Middle Fork Salmon River, Idaho

Abstract

The Middle Fork Salmon River drainage of the Frank Church River-Of-No-Return Wilderness has a history of livetock grazing from 1890 to 1950, and changes in grazing pressure from native ungulates. High mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations occurred between 1940 and 1960, and high elk (Cervus elaphus) populations occurred in the 1990s. This paper describes the shrub-steppe communities inside and adjacent to exclosures in the Middle Fork. Also presented is the current vegetative appearance at sites photographed in 1925, 1968, and 1988. Comparisons of plant species composition and characteristics, plus knowledge of grazing history, provide a basis for interpreting vegetation change and relationships to herbivore populations.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Peek, James M. 2000. Shrub-steppe vegetation trend, Middle Fork Salmon River, Idaho. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-3. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 117-127