Attributes of windthrown trees in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest
Hilimire K, Nesmith JC, Caprio AC, Milne R. 2013. Attributes of windthrown trees in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest. Western Journal of Applied Forestry. 28(2):85–88
This article describes the attributes of windthrown trees in Devils Postpile National Monument, following a severe fall 2011 wind event. On Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2011, an extreme wind event affected the central Sierra Nevada mountain region of California, causing extensive wind throw of trees. The wind event was caused by an extreme pressure gradient from north to south over Nevada and the Sierra that was unusual for the region in its duration, atypical wind direction, and high-intensity wind. Within Devils Postpile National Monument, there were approximately 118.5 windthrown trees per kilometer. The average diameter at 1.37 m of windthrown trees was 55.36 cm, 2.2 times greater than that for pre-windstorm standing trees. Trees differed in damage type; 86% of trees were uprooted, whereas 14% were snapped, and dead trees were more likely to snap than uproot relative to live trees. Tree species was not a factor in likelihood of windthrow because species composition and relative abundance of windthrown trees were representative of the preexisting forest composition. This wind event is the most extensive on record for California's Sierra Nevada range and may have long-lasting effects on forest composition and function.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Hilimire, Kathleen; Nesmith, Jonathan; Caprio, Anthony; Milne, Rhett
- Units
- DEPO , SIEN
- Keywords
- blowdown, forest ecology, infrequent forest disturbance, special project, Wind
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities