Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument upland vegetation and fire effects monitoring: 2000-2014 data report, revised January 13, 2020

Borgman, Erin; Williamson, N.; Ashton, Isabel; Schweiger, E.

Scientifically credible information on the current status and long-term trends of the composition, struc-ture, and function of the forests and grasslands in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (FLFO) is a key component for sound management. This report presents summary data and information from the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network (ROMN) and the Rocky Mountain Fire Effects Program (FireEP) monitoring between 2008 to 2013 and 2000 to 2014, respectively. In 2008, the ROMN began an effort to determine status and trends in upland vegetation structure, species composition, and soil condition in FLFO (Manier et al. 2011). A set of 32 long-term sites were established in the park using a spatially balanced probability survey design. These sites were visited from 2008 to 2013 to understand the condition of FLFO upland vegetation and soils. Prior to the implementation of the ROMN sites, the FireEP established long-term sites in FLFO. These sites were randomly selected from within specific stands scheduled for prescribed burning or thinning with the goal of better understanding management activities on fuel loads and forest structure and composition. We have incorporated both datasets into this ROMN report to provide a longer-term picture of FLFO forest condition than if reported separately. Key results include the following: ● Upland sites in the park had a moderately diverse mixture of mostly native plants. Of the exotic species found at sites, smooth brome (Bromus inermis) was the most abundant. ● Forested sites contained mostly ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas fir (Pseu-dotsuga menziesii) with a mix of mature trees, saplings, and seedlings. ● ROMN sites had generally high soil aggregate stability, high cover of litter, and moder-ate soil compaction, suggesting erosion potential was not of concern at those locations. Moreover, a soil quality index suggested quality of the soils at ROMN sites was above average. ● Surface fuel loading at FireEP sites was highest in the mixed conifer stands, followed by closed ponderosa pine stands and open ponderosa savannas. This report is not an in-depth analysis of condition or trend data for either data set, nor is it a comparison of the two. ROMN upland vegetation and soils monitoring will eventually help FLFO staff understand is-sues such as the impact of a changing climate on the park ecosystems, the response of soils to disturbance, and changes in native and non-native species. As we collect more data and conduct additional analyses, we will look for patterns and trends that might indicate a change in the ecological integrity of FLFO vegetation and soils.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument upland vegetation and fire effects monitoring: 2000-2014 data report, revised January 13, 2020

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