Succession from Sagebrush to Mixed Conifer Forest in the Northern Rocky Mountains
Patten DT. 1969. Succession from Sagebrush to Mixed Conifer Forest in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The American Midland Naturalist. 82(1):229-240
In northwestern Yellowstone National Park, lodgepole pine is invading sagebrush areas. The vegetational composition and environment of sagebrush, lodgepole pine, and intermediate sites were studied. Young lodgepole pine had little influence on the environment or vegetational composition of the sagebrush; however, when lodgepole pine was mature the shade-intolerant species, including sagebrush, were eliminated and shade-tolerant species developed. In the mixed conifer forest the environment was suitable for further development of climax conifers. Thus, lodgepole pine is not only a fire-successional species but part of a normal climatically caused sere originating with vegetation dominated by big sagebrush. (Abstract by Patten as printed in The American Midland Naturalist).
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Patten, D
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Ecology, Forestry, Plant communitites, Plant studiesq