Forest structure and fuel loads at Wind Cave National Park: 2012 status report

Ashton IW, Prowatzke M, Wilson SK, Greave P, Swanson D. 2013. Forest structure and fuel loads at Wind Cave National Park: 2012 status report. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NGPN/NRTR—2013/776. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado

The Northern Great Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network and the Northern Great Plains Fire Ecology Program surveyed 90 forested plots in Wind Cave National Park (WICA) in 2012. This effort will be repeated in 2017 and every 5 years thereafter to better understand status and trends in forest vegetation. We measured tree stem density, tree diameter, live and dead tree condition, fire fuel loads, cover of exotic species, and disturbance in all plots. By using a randomized survey approach, we are able to use these data to estimate the status of the forest, not just of the plots, but for the park as a whole. In this report, we provide a summary of our results from sampling in 2012. The ponderosa pine forest that covers portions of WICA is an outstanding natural resource with a low abundance of exotic species and a high diversity of native plant species. As of 2012, overall condition of the forest community was good. Mountain pine beetles and exotic species are currently in low abundance within the park but both are expected to increase in future years, causing some concern to park managers. The 2011 Addition to WICA shows slight variations in forest structure compared to the area within the 2010 boundary. Forests within the 2011 Addition are characterized by more Rocky Mountain juniper, thinner forests, less grazing pressure, and fewer exotics species. A trend in forest condition is difficult to discern because few quantitative studies of past conditions were completed. Continued forest monitoring will allow us to discern changes in the future.

Type
Published Report
Authors
Ashton, Isabel; Prowatzke, Michael; Wilson, Stephen; Greave, Phil; Swanson, Dan
Date of Issue
2013-07
Publisher
National Park Service
Units
NGPN , NRSS , WICA
Keywords
Monitoring, monitoring report, plant community monitor, Plant community monitoring, Ponderosa Pine, surface fuels, Vegetation
Subjects
Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities

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