Forest condition at Devils Tower National Monument: 2013 status report
Ashton IW, Prowatzke M, Wilson SK, Graeve P, Swanson D. 2014. Forest condition at Devils Tower National Monument: 2013 status report. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NGPN/NRTR—2014/856. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The Northern Great Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network and the Northern Great Plains Fire Ecology Program surveyed 75 forested plots in Devils Tower National Monument (DETO) in 2013. This effort will be repeated in 2018 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 2013. We found that 2013 DETO’s ponderosa pine forests and woodlands are in good condition but exotic species are widespread and persistent. Basal areas and tree densities are similar to historic conditions and within the range of desired conditions as outlined by the park. Surface fuels are above the targeted range and indicate the need for further treatment with prescribed fire. The condition of riparian forests and woodlands in DETO is declining due to low cottonwood recruitment and survival. Cottonwood restoration projects may be difficult due to the fundamental changes in the flow of the Belle Fourche River. DETO should focusing on protecting the existing patches of hardwood forests within the riparian area and preventing further stressors such as the introduction of the emerald ash borer. Trends in forest condition are difficult to discern because few quantitative studies of past conditions were completed, but continued forest surveys will allow us to discern changes in the future.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ashton, Isabel; Prowatzke, Michael; Wilson, Stephen; Graeve, Phil; Swanson, Dan
- Date of Issue
- 2014-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- DETO , NGPN , NRSS
- 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