Fog-influenced, Cool, Wet, Low Elevation Mountain Slopes and Terraces

Description

The dynamics described below are general to the level that the site concept has been developed for provisional ecological site concept identification and further investigation purposes only. It is meant to give a general overview of the ecological dynamics of the system and should not be viewed as a model for a specific ecological site level management. It is supported by the current available literature that was reviewed for a general understanding of the system and basic understanding of the abiotic and biotic drivers. Further investigations and soil-site data collection and analysis should be conducted before specific land management can be applied at the ecological site specific scale. This STM only serves to explain the general ecology and dynamics. No alternative states were found during the literature review, however that does not mean they do not exist and more time should be spent determining whether or not this model captures all the dynamics of this system, especially once more is known about the soil-site characteristics of this LRU and ecological site concept.

Reference State (State 1) – At this very general scale, this reference state only really captures the generalities related to the functional groups that are most dominant and does not capture the more specific dynamics and patterns that would be found at the more detailed and refined ecological site scale that focuses on specific abiotic factors that drive some of these various complex plant expressions. More data and refinement is needed to capture the information needed in order to make specific land management decisions at the ecological site-component scale.

Submodel

Description

This state represents the coast redwood stands that have been invaded by jubatagrass, a native grass to Argentina that aggressively dominates and crowds out conifer and red alder seedlings, significantly slowing the recovery after disturbance.

More information about this state is needed to flesh out the various impacts and dynamics, however current literature describes the impacts by this invasive species as primarily altering the recovery time/re-establishment of the coast redwoods after disturbance by suppressing seedling establishment. It also creates a fire hazard with excessive buildup of dry leaves, leaf bases, and flowering stalks. Because it is such a large plant, it can make fire management activities more difficult by blocking vehicle and human access. The leaves are toothed along the edge like a saw and can cause injury to humans. Exercise caution with when removing larger plants. Seedlings can be easily removed with hand pulling.

Submodel