The habitat types

Abstract

Nearly everywhere in eastern Washington and northern Idaho as one leaves the steppe at the foot of the mountains and enters the forest, the first coniferous tree encountered is Pinus ponderosa. The ability of this species to endure dry climates· well exceeds that of our next most drouth-tolerant conifer, Pseudotsuga menziesii. Therefore, typically a belt of climax pine forest separates steppe from Pseudotsuga forest. Pinus ponderosa does indeed extend farther up the moisture-temperature gradient than this marginal belt in which no other tree challenges its supremacy. But there it either perpetuates itself on slopes that are excessively dry for those altitudes and so spare it from competition or it is a temporary invader of logged or burned sites. After one generation, devastating competition from other trees completely eliminates it. In the present section, attention will be restricted to areas in which the pine is the climax dominant, i.e., the Pinus ponderosa Series.

Citation

Daubenmire, R.; Daubenmire, Jean B. 1968. The habitat types. In: Daubenmire, R.; Daubenmire, Jean B. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Tech. Bull. 60. Pullman, WA: Washington State University, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. p. 7-48.