Habitat Types in Pinon-Juniper Woodland on the Pajarito Plateau and Range Conditions in Bandelier National Monument [Final Report]
Barnes FJ. 1983. Habitat Types in Pinon-Juniper Woodland on the Pajarito Plateau and Range Conditions in Bandelier National Monument [Final Report]. PX7029-0-0694. New Mexico State University, Department of Biology. Las Cruces, NM
Forty stands of pinon-juniper woodland in Los Alamos County and vicinity were selected on the basis of minimal impact with respect to logging, grazing or recreational use. These stands were sampled using standard vegetative techniques based on Daubenmire's methods, and the data analysed using association tables and principal component analyses. Three habitat types were defined in the study area: (1) Juniperus monosperma/Bouteloua curtipendula habitat type at lower elevations and more xeric sites, (2) Pinus edulis - Juniperus monosperma/Bouteloua gracilis habitat type at mid-elevations and moderate sites, (3) Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma/Muhlenbergia montana at higher elevations, and more mesic sites. Ten sites were sampled in Bandelier National Monument in areas judged to be moderately to heavily impacted by grazing by feral burros. The data from these sites was compared with baseline data obtained from smapling for the habitat types analysis. Canopy cover of snakeweek (Gutierrezia microcephala) was significantly higher in Bandelier than on baseline sites (17% relative cover compared to 0.2 to 5% relative cover). Relative cover of cool season grasses was lower, as was total grass cover, total understory cover, and total shrub cover. Forb cover was higher on the Bandelier sites than on the baseline sites. Given protection from grazing, recovery trends in Bandelier over the next 40 years should show a dramatic decrease in snakeweed cover, a general increase in grass and total understory cover, and an increase in relative cover of cool season grasses.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Barnes, Fairley
- Date of Issue
- 1983-06-15
- Publisher
- New Mexico State University, Department of Biology
- Units
- BAND
- Keywords
- Burro (Equus asinus), Ecology, Feral Animals, Impacts, Pajarito Plateau NM, Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Plant Studies, Range Condition, Recovery