The Lodgepole Pine Zone in Colorado
Moir WH. 1969. The Lodgepole Pine Zone in Colorado. The American Midland Naturalist. 81(1):87-98
Vegetation and habitat characteristics are described in lodgepole pine forests on the east slopes of the Colorado Front Range where invasion by Douglas fir, subalpine fir, or Engelmann spruce has not occurred after 65-100 years of pine dominance. Absolute mortality of Douglas fir seedlings on plots cleared of pine litter was observed in 1967, and absolute mortality on uncleared plots was observed in 1966 and 1967. The lack of advanced reproductive stages of trees normally considered climax in adjacent Douglas fir and Spruce-Fir forest zones suggests that a lodgepole pine zone can be recognized between these other zones. Stands of lodgepole pine occurring on deep soils and normal relief within this zone may be climax or in a prolonged seral stage under present environmental conditions.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Moir, William
- Units
- ROMN
- Keywords
- Forestry, Habitat, Inventory and Monitoring (I&M)