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• Vegetation Information <br />Natural Vegetation Unit Descriptions <br />North Facing Slopes: <br />Map Unit Name: Douglas Fir/Gambel Oak <br />General Description: This forest unit is favly typical of Montane elevation forests on north <br />facing slopes. It is primarily a tree dominated vegetation with a sparse understory composed of low <br />growing shrubs and scattered grasses and forbs. Total cover is typically high and openings are quite <br />uncommon. Species diversity is rather low due to the heavy shade trader the trees. The typical north facing <br />slope further limits ground cover due to snow cover remaining relatively late in the growing season. <br />Furthermore ow an e o e smt keeps the soil cool and limits germination and growth of many <br />~ t~~ species. The lack of ground cover, however, is mainly due to the deep shade. Mosses are fairly common in <br />ti:~' tic <br />many areas and in some areas form thick mats. Lichens that typically prefer cool, moist conditions are also <br />•' ,{ <br />,~ il~~ r(' locally common. Tn some ways, the ground cover looks very much like typical Sub-Alpine or Spruce-Fir <br />forest, except that most of the species occur only sparingly in those higher elevation forest:a. Where the <br />!~ ~ ~~ canopy is somewhat more open, Gambel Oak is the dominant species, but rarely does it attain the kind of <br />cover seen on ridge crests or on the lower portions of south facing slopes. Mixed with the Douglas Fir are <br />occasional individuals of Ponderosa Pine (especially neaz the slope crest) with White Fir attd Blue Spmce <br />found in moderate abundance near the toe of the slopes. Small amounts of Lodgepole Pine can also be <br />found, but it is usually quite rare on these slopes. It is estimated that at least 80% of the tree cover is <br />Douglas Fv. <br />On the steepest slopes, a tree growth form shows a strong influence from snow cover. The base of the <br />tree [ranks are often considerably bent downslope, while the rest of the tree is nearly vertical. This is often <br />associated with the influence of prolonged snow cover on a steep slope. As the snow settles and creeps <br />down the slope it can cause even fairly large trees to have a bent trunk. On more gradual slopes this <br />pattern is absent or rare, but on steep slopes can be exhibited by virtually every tree. <br />Soil/Plant Relationships: The soils in these areas (usually the Coldcreek series) range from <br />shallow to moderate in depth (6" to 24") and are highly organic. Much of the organic component is <br />undecomposed or partially decomposed conifer needles. Although pH was not measured, the soil is <br />probably acid with a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. Where the Gambel Oak is more abundant the soil may be <br />somewhat deeper and probably have a slightly acid to neutral pH. The typical soil is probably not very <br />fertile, but, where salvageable, could probably make a significant improvement in the revel;etation growth <br />medium. Care should be exercised though, as soils rich in conifer needles can result in sev°re nitrogen <br />deficiency due to acidification and the rapid decomposition that occurs after stripping and replacement. In <br />other words, soils taken from this azea should be used similar to compost, i.e., as a soil amendment and <br />not as a pure growth medium. <br />Cover Characteristics: The total cover of this vegetation unit is high and is estimated to average <br />at least 80% over large areas. Most of the total cover is Douglas Fv. Ground cover, although locally it <br />may be high where mosses and lichens are dense, averages less than ]0%. However, that 10% is generally <br />not additive to the Douglas Fir canopy cover. That is, of the 80% total cover at least 90% is Douglas Fir, <br />Menzer Quarry Amendment Exhibit J Page 3 <br />