Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho

Abstract

The forest vegetation of the northern Rocky Mountains is potentially a rather simple mosaic determined by macroclimate, microclimate, soil fertility and soil drainage. In actuality, however, the vegetation consists mainly of a wide variety of intergrading, disturbance-induced communities that are difficult to treat except as developmental series related to specific climaxes. These relatively stable units, the associations, are defined primarily on the basis of the relative reproductive success of trees, as this indicates which species will become self-perpetuating dominants of the overstory. Subdivisions are then based on the types of herbaceous and shrubby undergrowth.

Citation

Daubenmire, R.; Daubenmire, Jean B. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Technical Bulletin 60. Pullman, WA: Washington State University, College of Agriculture, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. 104 p.