Photo Series for Quantifying Natural Fuels

Volume XI: Eastern Oregon Sagebrush-Steppe and Spotted Owl 

Nesting Habitat in the Pacific Northwest

Clinton S. Wright, Robert E. Vihnanek, Joseph C. Restaino, and Jon E. Dvorak

United States

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General Technical

Report

PNW-GTR-878

December 2012
ABSTRACT

Wright, Clinton S.; Vihnanek, Robert E.; Restaino, Joseph C.; Dvorak, Jon E. 2012. Photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume XI: 

eastern Oregon sagebrush-steppe and northern spotted owl nesting habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-878. Portland, 

OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 85 p.

Three series of photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings for sagebrush-steppe types that are ecotonal with grasses, 

western juniper, and ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon, and one series of photographs displays a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings for 

northern spotted owl nesting habitat in forest types in Washington and Oregon. Each group of photos includes inventory information summarizing 

vegetation composition, structure, and loading; woody material loading and density by size class; forest floor depth and loading; and various site 

characteristics. The natural fuels photo series is designed to help land managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in natural settings.

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, sagebrush-steppe, old-growth forest, greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus 

urophasianus, northern spotted owl, Strix occidentalis caurina, antelope bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata, big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata,

Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, grand fir, Abies grandis, Pacific silver fir, Abies amabilis, ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, western 

hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, western juniper, Juniperus occidentalis, western redcedar, Thuja plicata, white fir, Abies concolor.

COOPERATORS

This publication was developed by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Fire and Environmental Research Applications 

team with funding provided, in part, by the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office and the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest 

Region, Fire and Aviation Management.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special recognition is due Louisa Evers, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office/U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, 

Regional Office; Joe Wagner, Bureau of Land Management, Lakeview Field Office; Brian Watts, Bureau of Land Management, Vale Field Office; 

Dan Crannell, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene Field Office; Gregg Riegel and Elizabeth Johnson, U.S. Forest Service, Deschutes National 

Forest; Jesse Plumage, U.S. Forest Service, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Susan Piper, U.S. Forest Service, Olympic National Forest; 

David Clayton, U.S. Forest Service, Rogue River-Siskyiyou National Forest; Theresa Stone, U.S. Forest Service, Umpqua National Forest; 

Jennifer Sanborn, U.S. Forest Service, Fremont-Winema National Forest; Debaran Kelso, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station; 

and Thomas Snetsinger, Oregon State University. Cameron Balog, Lauren Grand, Kyle Jacobson, Amy Jirka, Jeff Kelly, Alex Lundquist, Aarin 

Sengsirirak, Shawn Smith, and Tmth-Spusmen Wilder, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences 

Laboratory, worked on this project in the field and in the laboratory.

AUTHORS

Clinton S. Wright is a research forester, Robert E. Vihnanek is a supervisory forester, and Joseph C. Restaino and Jon E. Dvorak are forestry 

technicians, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, 400 

North 34th Street, Suite 201, Seattle, Washington 98103.
CONTENTS

2 What Is the Natural Fuels Photo Series?

3 Why Is the Photo Series Needed?

3 How Was the Photo Series Developed?

3 Photographs

3 Photograph and Information Arrangement

4 Site and Stand Information

4 Vegetation Information

5 Forest Floor Information

5 Woody Material

5 Saplings and Trees

6 Selected Shrub Species

6 Using the Photo Series

7 Species List

8 Metric Conversions

9 Literature Cited

12 Eastern Oregon Sagebrush With Grass Photo Series

26 Eastern Oregon Sagebrush With Juniper Photo Series

34 Eastern Oregon Sagebrush With Ponderosa Pine Photo Series

46 Spotted Owl Nest Habitat Photo Series
2

30 ft

60 ft

90 ft

120 ft

150 ft

Camera point

32° sample area angle

EOSG, EOSJ, and EOSP series 

clipped vegetation and shrub 

measurement plots (green)

Edge of 

sample area

180 ft

Line intercept, vegetation 

height, and canopy closure 

measurement locations

SONH series clipped 

vegetation plots (blue)

SONH series tree and 

seedling plots (gray)

SONH series point-centered 

quarter point (1 of 4)

WHAT IS THE NATURAL FUELS PHOTO SERIES?

The first phase of the natural fuels photo series was a collection of six volumes, each representing a region of the United States (Volumes I-VI). 

Additional phases included new volumes (Volumes VII-X, XII) and supplemental volumes (Volumes IIa, Va, VIa). Volume I included sites in 

mixed-conifer, western juniper, sagebrush, and grassland ecosystems in the interior Pacific Northwest. Volume II included sites in black and white 

spruce ecosystems in Alaska, and volume IIa included sites in hardwood ecosystems undergoing succession to spruce. Volume III included sites in 

lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, and gambel oak ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. Volume IV included sites in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and 

chaparral ecosystems in the Southwest. Volume V included sites in red and white pine, northern tallgrass prairie, and mixed-oak ecosystems in the 

Midwest, and volume Va included sites in jack pine ecosystems. Volume VI included sites in longleaf pine, pocosin, and marsh grass ecosystems in 

the Southeast, volume VIa included sites in sand hill, sand pine scrub, and white pine-invaded hardwood ecosystems, and volume XII included sites 

in post-hurricane fuels. Volume VII included sites in Oregon white oak, California deciduous oak, and mixed conifer with shrub ecosystems in 

Washington, Oregon, and California. Volume VIII included sites in hardwood, pitch pine, and red spruce/balsam fir ecosystems in the Northeast.

Volume IX included sites in oak/juniper ecosystems in Arizona and New Mexico. Volume X included sites in sagebrush with grass and ponderosa 

pine-juniper ecosystems in central Montana. An unnumbered volume included grassland, shrubland, woodland, and forest ecosystems in Hawaii.

Generally, sites include wide-angle and stereo-pair photographs (stereo-pair photographs are provided only for the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis

caurina) nesting habitat series in this volume) supplemented with information on living and dead fuels and vegetation, and, where appropriate, 

stand structure and composition within the area visible in the photographs (fig. 1). This volume (volume XI) continues the natural fuels photo 

series and includes three series documenting sagebrush sites that are ecotonal with grasses, western juniper, and ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon

that in some cases may represent habitat or potential habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and one series with sites 

indicative of northern spotted owl nesting habitat in forests in Washington and Oregon. The sites in this volume broaden the range of conditions 

presented in Volume I (Ottmar et al. 1998), Volume IV (Ottmar et al. 2000), and Volume X (Ottmar et al. 2007) and provide a basis for appraising 

and describing woody material, vegetation, and stand conditions in many sagebrush-steppe and forested ecosystems in Washington and Oregon.

Figure 1—Photo series sample area layout. The sample 

area extended 180 and 150 ft from the camera for the three 

sagebrush series and spotted owl nesting habitat series, 

respectively. Thirty random azimuth line transects (one to 

two per node) and 12 to 13 clipped vegetation plots (one to 

three per arc) were located within the sample area. Trees 

and seedlings were inventoried in the entire sample area 

when present for the three sagebrush series, or with 4 pointcentered quarter points and 12 systematically located 

sample plots for spotted owl nesting habitat series. Shrubs 

were measured prior to harvesting in the clipped vegetation 

plots (sagebrush series only).
3

WHY IS THE PHOTO SERIES NEEDED?

The photo series are land management tools that can be used to assess landscapes through appraisal of living and dead woody material and 

vegetation (i.e., fuels) and stand characteristics. Once an assessment has been completed, stand treatment options, such as prescribed fire or 

harvesting, can be planned and implemented to better achieve desired effects while minimizing negative impacts on other resources.

The photo series has application in several branches of natural resource science and management. Inventory data such as these can be used as 

inputs for evaluating animal habitat (a specific objective of this volume), nutrient cycling, and microclimate, for example. Fire managers will find 

these data useful for predicting fuel consumption, smoke production, fire behavior, and fire effects during wildfires and prescribed fires. In 

addition, the photo series can be used to appraise carbon sequestration, an important factor in predictions of future climate, and to link remotely 

sensed signatures to live and dead fuels on the ground.

Ground inventory procedures that directly measure site conditions (e.g., fuel loading and arrangement, vegetation structure and composition, etc.) 

exist for most ecosystem types and are useful when a high degree of accuracy is required. Ground inventory is time consuming and expensive, 

however. Photo series can be used to make quick, easy, and inexpensive determinations of fuel quantities and stand conditions when less precise 

estimates are acceptable.

HOW WAS THE PHOTO SERIES DEVELOPED?

Sites photographed for the series in this volume were selected to represent a range of conditions in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems in eastern 

Oregon, and in forests indicative of northern spotted owl nesting habitat in Washington and Oregon. The sites are organized into four series: 

sagebrush with grass, sagebrush with juniper, sagebrush with ponderosa pine, and spotted owl nesting habitat. Each sagebrush series is organized 

by biophysical setting and successional stage as defined by the LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model descriptions (Rollins and Frame 2006).

Sites in the spotted owl series are grouped by spotted owl province as designated by the Northwest Forest Plan, and province groupings are 

ordered generally along a gradient of decreasing annual precipitation. Furthermore, within provinces, sites are ordered along a moisture gradient 

from drier to wetter as indicated by the LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model descriptions. Photographs were taken, and fuel loading, stand 

structure, and composition data were collected by using the procedures of Maxwell and Ward (1980) as a guide.

PHOTOGRAPHS

A large, wide-angle photograph is included with all series to help land managers appraise natural fuel, vegetation, and stand structure conditions.

Stereo-pair photographs are also included for the spotted owl nesting habitat series. The three-dimensional image obtained by viewing the 

photographs with a stereoscope will improve the ability of the land manager to make assessments in the field. The marker in all of the photographs 

is a 1-ft square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-ft intervals to provide scale. The pole is 6-ft tall and 30 ft from the camera. The 

summary data relate to an area slightly narrower than the wide-angle view in the sagebrush series, and to the field of view of the stereo-pair 

photographs for the spotted owl nesting habitat series. Note that no sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign.

PHOTOGRAPH AND INFORMATION ARRANGEMENT

The photographs and accompanying data summaries are presented as single sites organized into four series. Each site in the sagebrush with grass series is 

shown on a single page, and each site in the sagebrush with juniper, sagebrush with ponderosa pine, and spotted owl nesting habitat series is arranged to 
4

occupy two facing pages. The sagebrush with grass series includes general site information; summaries of vegetation composition and structure, and 

down woody material loading by size class; and structure and biomass data for selected shrub species. In the case of facing pages, the upper page contains 

a wide-angle photograph, general site and stand information, and forest floor information, where applicable. The lower page includes summaries of 

overstory structure and composition; understory vegetation structure and composition; downed woody material loading and density by size class.

Structure and biomass data for selected shrub species is also included for the sagebrush with juniper and sagebrush with ponderosa pine series.

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

The camera point of each site was located with a global positioning system receiver, and aspect and slope were measured with a compass and 

clinometer, respectively. Cover type (Society of American Foresters or Society for Range Management; Eyre 1980, Shiflet 1994) and biophysical 

setting, as defined by LANDFIRE (Rollins and Frame 2006), were assigned for all sites. In addition, ecological community classification (to the 

association level; NatureServe 2009) and spotted owl province, as designated in the Northwest Forest Plan (http://www.reo.gov/gis/data/

gisdata/phypro.htm), were noted for the sagebrush and spotted owl nesting habitat sites, respectively. Juniper woodland successional stage (Miller 

et al. 2005) was noted for the sagebrush with juniper series. Shrub, forb, and graminoid species coverage, along with litter coverage and mineral 

soil exposure, were estimated by using line intercept transects (Canfield 1941). Species coverage is listed in order of abundance for the sagebrush

series and in alphabetical order for the spotted owl nesting habitat series.

1 Where species-specific coverage is not reported, understory vegetation 

coverage was estimated by lifeform category (tall shrub, low shrub, forb, or graminoid) by using the line intercept transects. The listing of species 

was not meant to be a complete vegetation inventory and may represent only a portion of the species richness of the sampled areas.

For the series with a tree component, crown closure was measured with a forest densitometer (95 systematically located points). Tree and seedling 

composition and density for the sagebrush with juniper and sagebrush with ponderosa pine series were determined by a total inventory of the 

sample area; all trees less than 4.5-ft tall were considered seedlings. Seedling composition and density for the spotted owl nesting habitat series 

were measured on twelve 0.005-ac circular plots (fig. 1). Overstory tree (trees >4 in diameter at breast height; [d.b.h].

2

) composition was 

estimated by size classes by using the point-centered quarter method (Cottam and Curtis 1956) with four points arranged in a 132-ft grid centered 

on the area behind the sign in the photographs. Points were arranged so that all sampling occurred within the boundaries of the old-growth stand 

being characterized.

VEGETATION INFORMATION

Vegetation heights were measured at 25 to 30 points located systematically throughout the sample area. Vegetation biomass was determined by 

sampling 12 to 13 square, clipped vegetation plots (21.53 ft

2

each for herbaceous species and small-stature shrubs, and 43.06 ft

2

each for largestature shrubs for the sagebrush-dominated series; 10.76 ft

2

each for all understory vegetation for the spotted owl nesting habitat series) located 

systematically throughout the sample area (fig. 1). All live and dead vegetation rooted within each square plot was clipped at ground level, 

separated, and returned to the laboratory for oven drying. Vegetation and other collected materials were oven dried at a minimum of 158 °F for at 

least 48 hours before weighing and determination of area loading.

 

1 A list of scientific and common species names used in this volume appears on pages 7-8.

2 D.b.h. is measured 4.5 ft above the ground.
5

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

Litter coverage, measured by using the line intercept method (Canfield 1941), is reported with site information for the three sagebrush series; litter 

loading was measured by collecting material in thirteen 21.53-ft

2

plots. For the spotted owl nesting habitat series, litter and duff depth were 

calculated as the average of measurements taken every 5 ft between the 30- and 150-ft arcs of the center transect (fig. 1). Litter and duff depth was 

calculated as an average of the depth only where litter or duff was encountered during sampling (null values, or points where litter or duff were 

absent, are not included in the average). Therefore, the depths reported are not unit-wide averages, and do not necessarily sum to total depth.

Loading was calculated from depth and bulk density values derived from field measurements.

3 Constancy, an indicator of how consistently the 

various forest floor components occur in the sample area, is expressed as a percentage of the total number of measurements.

WOODY MATERIAL

Measurement techniques used for inventorying dead and down woody material were patterned after the planar intersect method outlined by Brown 

(1974) and described by Maxwell and Ward (1980). Forty transects of random azimuth starting at 25 systematically located points within the

sample area were used to determine woody material loading and density (fig. 1). Woody material data are reported by size classes that correspond 

to timelag fuel classes used in fire behavior modeling (see, for example, Burgan and Rothermel 1984).4 Woody material in 1-, 10-, and 100-hourand-larger size classes was tallied on transects that were 5, 10, and 30 ft long, respectively. The decay class and the actual diameter at the point of 

intersection were measured for all pieces >3 in in diameter. All woody material less than or equal to 3 in in diameter was considered sound.

Woody material loading and woody material density were calculated from relationships that use number of pieces intersected and transect length 

(and wood specific gravity for loading) developed by Brown (1974) and Safranyik and Linton (1987), respectively. Woody material in the 

sagebrush with grass series was measured by collecting all 1-, 10-, and 100-hour pieces in thirteen 21.53-ft2plots nested within the larger clipped 

vegetation plots. Collected woody material was oven dried at a minimum of 158 °F for at least 48 hours before weighing and determination of area 

loading.

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Overstory tree and sapling (i.e., trees ≤4 in d.b.h.) composition and density were determined by a total inventory of the sample area for the 

sagebrush with juniper and sagebrush with ponderosa pine series. Composition and density of overstory trees and saplings were determined by

using the point-centered quarter method (Cottam and Curtis 1956) with four points arranged in a 132-ft grid centered on the area behind the sign in 

the photographs and twelve 0.005-ac circular plots (fig. 1), respectively, for the spotted owl nesting habitat series. Values in Warde and Petranka 

(1981) were used to correct for cases in which trees in a particular size class were not present in one or more quadrants at a point-centered quarter 

sample point. Tree measurement data were summarized by d.b.h. size class and by tree status (all, live, or dead). Height to crown base (reported as 

ladder fuel height in previous photo series volumes) was defined as the height of the lowest, continuous live or dead branch material of the tree 

canopy, and height to live crown was defined as the height of the lowest continuous live branches of the tree canopy. For the sagebrush with 

juniper and sagebrush with ponderosa pine seres, live crown mass (branchwood and foliage) was calculated from species- and size-specific 

allometric equations (Brown 1978, Gholz 1980).

 

3

Forest floor bulk density values used for each material type appear under “Notes to Users.”

4

1-, 10-, 100-, and 1,000-hour timelag fuels are defined as woody material 0.25 in, 0.26 to 1.0 in, 1.1 to 3.0 in, and >3.0 in in diameter, respectively.
6

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Individual plants of all encountered in the sagebrush series were measured in systematically located plots (fig. 1). The density and percentage of 

all stems that were dead is based on the number of plants rooted in thirteen 43.06-ft2plots. Crown area was calculated from crown breadth (i.e., the 

average of the maximum crown diameter, and the widest point perpendicular to the maximum crown diameter). Height is given as the average and 

maximum height of all sampled individuals of a given species. Live and dead shrubs and live and dead branches of live shrubs were separated 

following harvesting; live and dead material was further separated into size classes (foliage and 1-in-diameter branches and stems, and >1-indiameter branches and stems). Depending on the abundance of the shrub layer, separated shrub material was either oven dried and weighed to 

determine loading, or weighed while still wet in the field and subsampled to determine moisture content. Adjustment to an oven-dry basis for each 

size class and status was made for each plot by multiplying the field (wet) weight by the ratio of oven-dry weight:wet weight of moisture 

subsamples from that plot.

USING THE PHOTO SERIES

The natural fuels photo series is a tool for quickly and inexpensively evaluating a variety of fuel and vegetation conditions. Because of its ease of 

use, care must be taken when evaluating field sites to compare only with photo series sites that are appropriate matches. It is acceptable, however, 

to use the data from more than one site from the photo series when evaluating a site in the field (e.g., woody material loading from one site in the 

photo series and tree density from another site in the photo series to best match the conditions of a given field site).

Make a visual inventory of the site by observing fuel and stand conditions within the field of view and comparing them with the photographs as 

follows, remembering that the data tables relate to the area behind the sign in the photographs:

 Observe each fuel and vegetation characteristic (e.g., 1.1- to 3.0-in woody material loading).

 Select a photo series site (or sites) that nearly matches (or brackets) the observed characteristics.

 Obtain the quantitative value for the characteristic being estimated from the data summary accompanying the selected photo series site, or 

interpolate a value between sites.

 Repeat these steps for each characteristic of interest.

The total biomass or stand condition can then be calculated by summing the estimates. If the site being inventoried has areas with obvious 

differences in composition, structure, or condition, the user should make separate determinations for each area and then weight and sum the 

characteristics for the whole site.

Characteristics not distinguishable in the photographs are litter or forest floor depth, loading, and bulk density. If values for these characteristics 

are desired in the inventory, they must be derived from independent sampling or observations.

The 20 National Fire-Danger Rating System fuel models (Burgan 1988, Deeming et al. 1977) and the 13 original (Albini 1976) or 40 new (Scott 

and Burgan 2005) fire behavior fuel models are very general and broadly applied. Each photo series encompasses a wider range of conditions, and 

individual sites represent fuel characteristics at greater resolution than can be gained by using fuel models; consequently, we chose not to assign 

one of these existing fuel models to individual sites in this photo series. The photo series was designed to provide sufficient fuel and vegetation 

data from which managers could generate their own customized fuel models.
7

SPECIES LIST

Scientific and common species names are from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (2012). Note that Quercus 

chrysolepis was inventoried as both a tree and a shrub.

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

TREES:

Abies amabilis (Douglas ex Loudon) Pacific silver fir

Douglas ex Forbes

Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr. White fir

Abies grandis (Douglas ex D. Don) Lindl. Grand fir

Abies magnifica A. Murray bis California red fir

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Acer macrophyllum Pursh Big leaf maple

Alnus rubra Bong. Red alder

Arbutus menziesii Pursh Pacific madrone

Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin Incense cedar

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl. Port Orford cedar

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Douglas ex Giant chinquapin

Hook.) Hjelmqvist

Cornus nuttallii Audubon ex Torr. & A. Gray Pacific dogwood

Juniperus occidentalis Hook. Western juniper

Lithocarpus densiflorus (Hook. & Arn.) Rehder Tanoak

Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden Lodgepole pine

Pinus lambertiana Douglas Sugar pine

Pinus monticola Douglas ex D. Don Western white pine

Pinus ponderosa Lawson and C. Lawson Ponderosa pine

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Douglas-fir

Quercus spp. Oak

Quercus chrysolepis Liebm. Canyon live oak

Quercus kelloggii Newberry California black oak

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Pacific yew

Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don Western redcedar

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western hemlock

Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carrière Mountain hemlock

Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. California laurel

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

SHRUBS:

Arctostaphylos nevadensis A. Gray Pinemat manzanita

Artemisia arbuscula Nutt. Little sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. Big sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. Mountain big sagebrush

ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. Wyoming big sagebrush

ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young

Chimaphila menziesii (R. Br. ex D. Don) Spreng. Little prince’s pine

Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W. Bartram Pipsissewa

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Douglas ex Giant chinquapin

Hook.) Hjelmqvist

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt. Yellow rabbitbrush

Gaultheria ovatifolia A. Gray Western teaberry

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

Leptodactylon pungens Torr. ex Nutt. Granite prickly phlox

Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. Hollyleaved barberry

Mahonia nervosa (Pursh) Nutt. Cascade barberry

Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don Creeping barberry

Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq. Devilsclub

Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. Antelope bitterbrush

Rhododendron macrophyllum D. Don ex G. Don Pacific rhododendron

Ribes spp. Currant

Ribes sanguineum Pursh Redflower currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Dwarf rose

Rubus nivalis Douglas ex Hook. Snow raspberry

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schltdl. California blackberry

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake Common snowberry

Symphoricarpos longiflorus A. Gray Desert snowberry
8

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

SHRUBS (CONTINUED):

Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. Creeping snowberry

Toxicodendron diversilobum (Torr. & A. Gray) Pacific poison oak

Greene

Vaccinium spp. Blueberry

Vaccinium alaskaense Howell Alaska blueberry

Vaccinium membranaceum Douglas ex Torr. Thinleaf huckleberry

Vaccinium ovatum Pursh California huckleberry

Vaccinium parvifolium Sm. Red huckleberry

GRASSES:

Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass

(Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth

Achnatherum thurberianum (Piper) Thurber’s needlegrass

Barkworth

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. Crested wheatgrass

Bromus tectorum L. Cheatgrass

Calamagrostis rubescens Buckley Pinegrass

Carex spp. Sedge

Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey Squirreltail

Festuca spp. Fescue

Festuca idahoensis Elmer Idaho fescue

Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Needle and thread

Rupr.) Barkworth

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. Prairie Junegrass

Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve Bluebunch wheatgrass

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski Medusahead

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

FORBS:

Achlys triphylla (Sm.) DC. Sweet after death

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. American trailplant

Antennaria spp. Gaertn. Pussytoes

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Spreading dogbane

Arnica latifolia Bong. Broadleaf arnica

Astragalus spp. Milkvetch

Clintonia uniflora (Menzies ex Bride’s bonnet

Schult. & Schult. f.) Kunth

Fragaria vesca L. Woodland strawberry

Galium triflorum Michx. Fragrant bedstraw

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Western rattlesnake plantain

Lupinus spp. Lupine

Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link Feathery false lily of the valley

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link Starry false lily of the valley

Polypodium glycyrrhiza D.C. Eaton Licorice fern

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl Western swordfern

Prosartes hookeri Torr. var. hookeri Drops-of-gold

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Western bracken fern

Pyrola spp. Wintergreen

Pyrola picta Sm. Whiteveined wintergreen

Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow salsify

Trientalis borealis Raf. Starflower

Trillium ovatum Pursh Pacific trillium

Vancouveria hexandra (Hook.) C. Morren & Decne. White insideout flower

Vicia spp. Vetch

Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. Common beargrass
9

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm) 1 pound/acre (lb/ac) = 1.1209 E-04 kilograms/square meter (kg/m2)

1 foot (ft) = 0.3048 meter (m) 1 pound/acre (lb/ac) = 1.1209 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha)

1 square foot (ft2) = 0.0929 square meter (m2) 1 ton/acre (ton/ac) = 0.2242 kilogram/square meter (kg/m2)

1 acre (ac) = 4046.9 square meters (m2) 1 ton/acre(ton/ac) = 2241.7023 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha)

1 acre (ac) = 0.4047 hectare (ha) 1 ton∙acre-1∙inch-1(ton∙ac-1∙in-1) = 8.8256E-03 grams/cubic centimeter (g/cm3)

1 pound (lb) = 0.4536 kilogram (kg) 1 ton∙acre-1∙inch-1(ton∙ac-1∙in-1) = 8825.6 grams/cubic meter (g/m3)

1 ton = 907.2 kilograms (kg) 1 ton∙acre-1∙inch-1(ton∙ac-1∙in-1) = 8.8256 kilograms/cubic meter (kg/m3)

(Degrees Fahrenheit – 32) × (5/9) = Degrees Celsius

LITERATURE CITED

Albini, F.A. 1976. Estimating wildfire behavior and effects. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-30. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 92 p.

Brown, J.K. 1974. Handbook for inventorying downed woody material. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-16. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 24 p.

Brown, J.K. 1978. Weight and density of crowns of Rocky Mountain conifers. Res. Pap. INT-197. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 56 p.

Burgan, R.E. 1988. 1988 revisions to the 1978 national fire-danger rating system. Res. Pap. SE-273. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 39 p.

Burgan, R.E.; Rothermel, R.C. 1984. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system — FUEL subsystem. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT167. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 126 p.

Canfield, R.H. 1941. Application of the line interception method in sampling range vegetation. Journal of Forestry. 39: 388-394.

Cottam, G.; Curtis, J.T. 1956. The use of distance measures in phytosociological sampling. Ecology. 37(3): 451-460.

Deeming, J.E.; Burgan, R.E.; Cohen, J.D. 1977. The national fire-danger rating system — 1978. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-39. Ogden, UT: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 63 p.

Eyre, F.H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [plus map].

Gholz, H.L. 1980. Structure and productivity of Juniperus occidentalis in central Oregon. American Midland Naturalist. 103(2): 251-261.

Maxwell, W.G.; Ward, F.R. 1980. Guidelines for developing or supplementing natural photo series. Res. Note PNW-358. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 16 p.

Miller, R.F.; Bates, J.D.; Svejcar, T.J.; Pierson, F.B.; Eddleman, L.E. 2005. Biology, ecology, and management of western juniper (Juniperus 

occidentalis). Technical Bulletin 152. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 77 p.

NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life, Version 1.8. Arlington, VA: NatureServe.

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/. (20 July 2011).
10

Ottmar, R.D.; Vihnanek, R.E.; Regelbrugge, J.C. 2000. Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume IV: pinyon-juniper, chaparral, 

and sagebrush types in the southwestern United States. PMS 833. Boise, ID: National Wildfire Coordinating Group, National Interagency Fire 

Center. 97 p.

Ottmar, R.D.; Vihnanek, R.E.; Wright, C.S. 1998. Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume I: mixed-conifer with mortality, 

western juniper, sagebrush, and grassland types in the interior Pacific Northwest. PMS 830. Boise, ID: National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 

National Interagency Fire Center. 73 p.

Ottmar, R.D.; Vihnanek, R.E.; Wright, C.S. 2002. Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume Va: jack pine in the Lake States.

PMS 837. Boise, ID: National Wildfire Coordinating Group, National Interagency Fire Center. 49 p.

Ottmar, R.D.; Vihnanek, R.E.; Wright, C.S. 2007. Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume X: sagebrush with grass and 

ponderosa pine-juniper types in central Montana. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-719. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 59 p.

Rollins, M.G.; Frame, C.K., tech. eds. 2006. The LANDFIRE prototype project: nationally consistent and locally relevant geospatial data for 

wildland fire management. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-175. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky 

Mountain Research Station. 416 p.

Safranyik, L.; Linton, D.A. 1987. Line intersect sampling for the density and bark area of logging residue susceptible to the spruce beetle, 

Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby). Inf. Rep. BC-X-295. Victoria, BC: Canadian Forestry Service, Pacific Forestry Centre. 10 p.

Scott, J.H.; Burgan, R.E. 2005. Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel’s surface fire spread model. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-153. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 72 p.

Shiflet, T.N. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Washington, DC: Society for Range Management. 152 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2012. The PLANTS Database. Greensboro, NC: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, National Plant Data Team. http://plants.usda.gov/. (23 January 2012).

Warde, W.; Petranka, J.W. 1981. A correction factor table for missing point-center quarter data. Ecology. 62(2): 491-494.
11
12

EASTERN OREGON

SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 12 SITES

EOSG 01 THROUGH EOSG 12
SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 13

0

1

2

3

0 1 0 8 0 5 0 3 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 9 1 0 0 6 0 7 1 2

Surface fuel loading (tons/ac)

Photo series site number (EOSG)

NOTES TO USERS:

1. Sites are grouped by biophysical setting and ordered by successional stage as defined by the LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Model 

descriptions (Rollins and Frame 2006). Figure 2, however, shows how sites would be arranged in order of increasing surface fuel loading (i.e., 

standing live and dead vegetation, litter, and dead and down woody fuels).

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on pages 7-8.

3. Photographs were taken in July 2008. Sampling was performed in July and August 2008.

4. The year of sampling (2008) was considered an “above average” growing year for grasses and other herbaceous vegetation.

5. The marker in these photographs is a 1-ft square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-ft intervals. The pole is 30 ft from the 

camera and is 6-ft tall. Note that no sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign.

6. Litter and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; vegetation loading is reported in pounds per acre.

7. Trace coverage, constancy, loading, or biomass is indicated either as “trace” or “t.” The designation of “na” indicates cases where data are 

missing or “not available.”

8. This series predominantly covers a range of biophysical settings for Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (mountain big sagebrush), Artemisia 

tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush), and Artemisia arbuscula (low sagebrush). Also included in this series are two sites 

(EOSG 01, EOSG 02) dominated by the invasive annual grass Taeniatherum caput-medusae (medusahead); and two sites (EOSG 03, EOSG 

04) dominated by the naturalized perennial grass Agropyron cristatum (crested wheatgrass).

Figure 2—Eastern Oregon sagebrush with grass photo series (EOSG) in order of increasing surface fuel loading.
EOSG 01 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 14

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 0 3 62

Avg height (ft) -- 0.9 0.5

Biomass (lbs/ac) 0 115 502

Vale 07

Site location: N 44° 16′ 10.4′′ W 117° 14′ 18.1′′

Elevation: 2,580 ft Aspect: 170° Slope: 4%

Plant association: Invasive annual grassland

Cover type: Invasive annual grassland

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe

Litter loading: 0.00 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 0%

Mineral soil exposure: 11%

Species (% cover): Taeniatherum caput-medusae (61), Tragopogon dubius (3),

Achnatherum thurberianum (1), Bromus tectorum (t), Hesperostipa comata (t)

SITE INFORMATION

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

None

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.00 0.00 0.00
EOSG 02 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 15

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 7 2 30

Avg height (ft) 2.0 1.0 0.9

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,542 29 278

Vale 06

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 934 17 1.8 3.7 2.0 3.7 1,092 0 343 0 1,435

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 156 0 2.1 3.5 1.6 2.0 107 0 0 0 107

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 44° 15′ 16.1′′ W 117° 20′ 36.2′′

Elevation: 3,210 ft Aspect: 30° Slope: 19%

Plant association: Invasive annual grassland

Cover type: Invasive annual grassland

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe

Litter loading: 0.01 tons/ac

Litter coverage: trace

Mineral soil exposure: 4%

Species (% cover): Taeniatherum caput-medusae (27), Artemisia tridentata (4), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (2), Achnatherum thurberianum (2), 

Hesperostipa comata (1), Bromus tectorum (t), Elymus elymoides (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.00 0.00 0.00
EOSG 03 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 16

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 0 1 13

Avg height (ft) -- 1.4 1.6

Biomass (lbs/ac) 0 4 1,324

Lakeview 10

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

None

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 26′ 26.6′′ W 119° 15′ 13.7′′

Elevation: 4,985 ft Aspect: 60° Slope: 1%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/ 

Pseudoroegnaria spicata shrubland

Cover type: Crested wheatgrass (SRM 614)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland

Litter loading: 0.02 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 14%

Mineral soil exposure: 51%

Species (% cover): Agropyron cristatum (12), Bromus tectorum (1), Elymus 

elymoides (t), Astragalus spp. (t), Achnatherum thurberianum (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.00 0.00 0.00
EOSG 04 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 04 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 17

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 8 trace 10

Avg height (ft) 2.1 1.1 1.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,023 6 491

Vale 08

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 1,686 40 1.8 3.3 1.5 2.4 1,036 339 648 0 2,023

Purshia tridentata na na na na na na trace 0 trace 0 trace

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 44o 16′ 22.9′′ W 117o 13′ 11.9′′

Elevation: 2,200 ft Aspect: 160o Slope: 2%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/ 

Pseudoroegnaria spicata shrubland

Cover type: Crested wheatgrass (SRM 614)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe

Litter loading: trace

Litter coverage: trace

Mineral soil exposure: 23%

Species (% cover): Agropyron cristatum (8), Artemisia tridentata (7), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (1), Purshia tridentata (1), Hesperostipa 

comata (1), Bromus tectorum (t), Festuca idahoensis (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 0.02 -- 0.02

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.02 0.00 0.02
EOSG 05 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 18

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 1 4 33

Avg height (ft) 1.4 1.3 1.1

Biomass (lbs/ac) 67 82 714

Lakeview 11

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 253 0 1.6 2.1 1.7 2.5 67 0 0 0 67

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 58′ 09.3′′ W 119° 54′ 29.5′′

Elevation: 5,300 ft Aspect: 33° Slope: 3%

Plant association: Artemisia arbuscula/Achnatherum thurberianum shrubland

Cover type: Low sagebrush (SRM 406)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe – A

Litter loading: 0.04 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 11%

Mineral soil exposure: 24%

Species (% cover): Bromus tectorum (24), Achnatherum thurberianum (5),

Pseudoroegnaria spicata (2), Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (1), Elymus 

elymoides (1), Koeleria macrantha (1), Festuca idahoensis (t), 

Hesperostipa comata (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace

0.26 - 1.0 0.01 -- 0.01

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.01 0.00 0.01
EOSG 06 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 06 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 19

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 18 1 9

Avg height (ft) 1.3 0.3 0.9

Biomass (lbs/ac) 4,538 8 106

Lakeview 14

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia arbuscula 7,082 21 1.2 1.5 1.1 2.0 2,880 318 1,263 77 4,538

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 55′ 34.1′′ W 119° 57′ 49.6′′

Elevation: 5,600 ft Aspect: 266° Slope: 7%

Plant association: Artemisia arbuscula/Achnatherum thurberianum shrubland

Cover type: Low sagebrush (SRM 406)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe – B

Litter loading: 0.02 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 2%

Mineral soil exposure: 22%

Species (% cover): Artemisia arbuscula (18), Achnatherum thurberianum (5),

Pseudoroegneria spicata (1), Bromus tectorum (1), Koeleria macrantha (1),

Elymus elymoides (1), Lupinus spp. (1)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace

0.26 - 1.0 0.08 -- 0.08

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.08 0.00 0.08
EOSG 07 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 20

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 24 8 9

Avg height (ft) 1.3 0.9 1.2

Biomass (lbs/ac) 4,677 18 208

Lakeview 12

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia arbuscula 7,005 16 1.4 2.8 1.1 2.3 3,585 0 792 0 4,377

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 1,090 0 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 300 0 0 0 300

Leptodactylon pungens trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 58′ 16.6′′ W 119° 54′ 47.1′′

Elevation: 5,330 ft Aspect: 33° Slope: 3%

Plant association: Artemisia arbuscula/Achnatherum thurberianum shrubland

Cover type: Low sagebrush (SRM 406)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe – C

Litter loading: 0.02 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 3%

Mineral soil exposure: 28%

Species (% cover): Artemisia arbuscula (23), Antennaria spp. (8), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (4), Koeleria macrantha (2), Elymus elymoides (1),

Bromus tectorum (1), Pseudoroegneria spicata (t), Agropyron cristatum (1), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (1), Leptodactylon pungens (t), Lupinus spp. (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 trace -- trace

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total trace 0.00 trace
EOSG 08 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 08 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 21

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) trace 2 13

Avg height (ft) 1.5 1.5 1.3

Biomass (lbs/ac) trace 36 707

Lakeview 05

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace 

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 21′ 11.3′′ W 119° 24′ 29.8′′

Elevation: 5,480 ft Aspect: 280° Slope: 3%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/Hesperostipa

comata shrubland

Cover type: Wyoming big sagebrush (SRM 403)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe – A

Litter loading: 0.02 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 7%

Mineral soil exposure: 37%

Species (% cover): Achnatherum thurberianum (8), Bromus tectorum (2), 

Achnatherum hymenoides (2), Elymus elymoides (1), Astragalus spp. (t), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace

0.26 - 1.0 0.03 -- 0.03

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.03 0.00 0.03
EOSG 09 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 22

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 16 4 5

Avg height (ft) 1.3 0.3 1.4

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,701 87 90

Lakeview 03

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 

wyomingesnsis

2,957 13 1.2 1.4 0.9 2.2 1,228 363 354 98 2,043

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 3,269 0 0.9 0.7 0.6 1.1 331 0 0 0 331

Leptodactylon pungens 3,891 0 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.7 327 0 0 0 327

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 19′ 46.3′′ W 119° 24′ 36.2′′

Elevation: 5,580 ft Aspect: 294° Slope: 4%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/Hesperostipa

comata shrubland

Cover type: Wyoming big sagebrush (SRM 403)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe – B

Litter loading: trace

Litter coverage: 1%

Mineral soil exposure: 44%

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp.wyomingensis(11), Antennaria spp.(4), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (4), Leptodactylon pungens (3), Chrysothamnus 

viscidiflorus (2), Pseudoroegneria spicata (1), Elymus elymoides (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.00 -- 0.00

0.26 - 1.0 0.01 -- 0.01

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.01 0.00 0.01
EOSG 10 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 10 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 23

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 11 trace 5

Avg height (ft) 1.7 0.7 1.5

Biomass (lbs/ac) 3,755 9 239

Lakeview 06

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 1,634 14 1.5 2.5 1.5 3.1 920 869 936 532 3,257

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 856 0 0.6 0.5 0.7 1.7 442 0 0 0 442

Leptodactylon pungens 1,557 0 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.9 56 0 0 0 56

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 22′ 07.4′′ W 119° 24′ 02.3′′

Elevation: 5,460 ft Aspect: 274° Slope: 4%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/Hesperostipa

comata shrubland

Cover type: Wyoming big sagebrush (SRM 403)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Steppe – C

Litter loading: trace

Litter coverage: trace

Mineral soil exposure: 57%

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (10), Hesperostipa 

comata (3), Achnatherum thurberianum (2), Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (1),

Leptodactylon pungens (t), Elymus elymoides (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace

0.26 - 1.0 0.06 -- 0.06

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.06 0.00 0.06
EOSG 11 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 24

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 13 1 11

Avg height (ft) 1.3 1.0 1.5

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,032 31 580

Lakeview 07

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 4,281 2 1.2 1.1 1.2 2.1 808 0 220 0 1,028

Symphoricarpos longiflorus 78 0 1.2 1 1.6 1.6 13 0 0 0 13

Artemisia tridentata trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 21′ 51.7′′ W 119° 21′ 12.7′′

Elevation: 5,960 ft Aspect: 93° Slope: 9%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana/Pseudoroegnaria 

spicata shrubland

Cover type: Mountain big sagebrush (SRM 402)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe – A

Litter loading: 0.02 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 5%

Mineral soil exposure: 12%

Species (% cover): Chrysothamnusviscidiflorus(12),Achnatherumthurberianum(6),

Elymus elymoides (2), Bromus tectorum (2), Pseudoroegneria spicata (1),

Symphoricarpos longiflorus (t), Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace

0.26 - 1.0 0.03 -- 0.03

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.03 0.00 0.03
EOSG 12 EASTERN OREGON SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

EOSG 12 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 25

VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (%) 18 1 5

Avg height (ft) 1.9 0.3 1.2

Biomass (lbs/ac) 4,837 68 155

Lakeview 02

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 4,981 16 1.3 1.6 1.7 3.2 2,554 372 957 108 4,532

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 3,191 0 0.7 0.5 1.1 2.0 264 0 0 0 264

Leptodactylon pungens 467 0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 41 0 0 0 41

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 19′ 02.8′′ W 119° 21′ 02.4′′

Elevation: 5,995 ft Aspect: 180° Slope: 3%

Plant association: Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana/Pseudoroegnaria 

spicata shrubland

Cover type: Mountain big sagebrush (SRM 402)

Biophysical setting: Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe - C

Litter loading: 0.03 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 2%

Mineral soil exposure: 43%

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (15), Achnatherum 

thurberianum (5), Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (3), Lupinus spp. (1), 

Koeleria macrantha (t), Elymus elymoides (t), Leptodactylon pungens (t)

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading in tons/ac

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.01 -- 0.01

0.26 - 1.0 0.34 -- 0.34

>1.0 0.00 -- 0.00

Total 0.35 0.00 0.35
26

EASTERN OREGON

SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 3 SITES

EOSJ 01 THROUGH EOSJ 03
SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 27

0

1

2

3

4

0 1 0 2 0 3

Surface fuel loading (tons/ac)

Photo series site number (EOSJ)

NOTES TO USERS:

1. Sites are grouped by biophysical setting and ordered by successional stage as defined by the LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Model 

descriptions (Rollins and Frame 2006). Figure 3, however, shows that site order would be the same if arranged in order of increasing surface 

fuel loading (i.e., standing live and dead vegetation except for trees, litter, and dead and down woody fuels).

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on pages 7-8.

3. Photographs were taken in July 2008. Sampling was performed in July and August 2008.

4. The year of sampling (2008) was considered an “above average” growing year for grasses and other herbaceous vegetation.

5. The marker in these photographs is a 1-ft square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-ft intervals. The pole is 30 ft from the 

camera and is 6-ft tall. Note that no sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign.

6. Litter and moss depth were measured at 75 systematically located points within the sample area for EOSJ03. Average litter or moss depth was 

multiplied by its coverage and bulk density to determine loading. Ten 1.0-square-foot samples were collected onsite from which to estimate 

western juniper litter bulk density (17.11 tons·ac-1·in-1). Moss bulk density (2.44 tons·ac-1·in-1) is from Ottmar et al. (2002).

7. Litter and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; vegetation loading is reported in pounds per acre.

8. Trace coverage, constancy, loading, or biomass is indicated either as “trace” or “t.” The designation of “na” indicates cases where data are 

missing or “not available.”

9. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter.

Figure 3—Eastern Oregon sagebrush with western juniper photo series (EOSJ) in order of increasing surface fuel loading.
EOSJ 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 28

Lakeview 17

Site location: N 42° 54′ 06.1′′ W 119° 55′ 12.9′′

Elevation: 5,320 ft Aspect: 20° Slope: 6%

Plant association: Juniperus occidentalis/ 

Pseudoroegnaria spicata wooded herbaceous 

vegetation

Cover type: Western juniper/big sagebrush/ 

bluebunch wheatgrass (SRM 107)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna – A

Juniper woodland successional stage: Phase I

Litter loading: trace

Litter coverage: trace

Mineral soil exposure: 35%

Understory (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

vaseyana (17), Pseudoroegneria spicata (2), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (2), Chrysothamnus 

viscidiflorus (t), Elymus elymoides (t), Koeleria 

macrantha (t), Bromus tectorum (t)

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Crown closure: 0%

Seedlings (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Density: 74/ac

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
EOSJ 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 29

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 4,436 2 1.3 1.7 1.1 2.1 2,207 0 0 0 2,207

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 156 100 1.9 3.0 1.6 1.7 0 0 58 0 58

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis -- -- --

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Tree density (stems/ac) 30 5 0 0 0 5

 Live 25 0 0 0 0 0

 Dead 5 5 0 0 0 5

Avg d.b.h. (in) 0.9 6.3 -- -- -- 6.3

 Live 0.5 -- -- -- -- --

 Dead 2.8 6.3 -- -- -- 6.3

Avg height (ft) 5.6 12.9 -- -- -- 12.9

 Live 5.3 -- -- -- -- --

 Dead 6.9 12.9 -- -- -- 12.9

Avg height to crown base (ft) 0.0 0.0 -- -- -- 0.0

 Live 0.0 -- -- -- -- --

 Dead 0.0 0.0 -- -- -- 0.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 0.0 -- -- -- -- --

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.02 -- 0.02 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.10 -- 0.10 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.04 -- 0.04 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 0.16 0.00 0.16 0 0 0

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Artemisia 

tridentata na

Pseudoroegnaria

spicata

Coverage (%) 17 trace 4

Avg height (ft) 1.2 0.2 0.9

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,265 trace 125
EOSJ 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 30

Lakeview 16

Site location: N 42° 54′ 57.2′′ W 119° 57′ 45.7′′

Elevation: 5,490 ft Aspect: 150° Slope: 2%

Plant association: Juniperus occidentalis/ 

Pseudoroegnaria spicata wooded herbaceous 

vegetation

Cover type: Western juniper/big sagebrush/ 

bluebunch wheatgrass (SRM 107)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna – C

Juniper woodland successional stage: Phase II

Litter loading: 0.28 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 13%

Mineral soil exposure: 46%

Understory (% cover): Artemisia tridentata (6), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (2), Leptodactylon 

pungens (1), Hesperostipa comata (t), Koeleria 

macrantha (t), Pseudoroegneria spicata (t), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (t)

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Crown closure: 15%

Seedlings (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Density: 15/ac

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
EOSJ 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 31

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 4,125 15 0.8 0.6 0.6 1.8 955 0 86 0 1,041

Leptodactylon pungens 2,335 0 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.8 70 0 0 0 70

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 156 50 0.6 0.3 1.3 1.5 6 0 2 0 8

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Juniperus 

occidentalis --

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis --

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Tree density (stems/ac) 20 0 15 5 0 20

 Live 20 0 15 5 0 20

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.9 -- 11.2 22.7 -- 14.1

 Live 2.9 -- 11.2 22.7 -- 14.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 10.1 -- 19.9 29.0 -- 22.2

 Live 10.1 -- 19.9 29.0 -- 22.2

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 0.1 -- 0.3 0.5 -- 0.4

 Live 0.1 -- 0.3 0.5 -- 0.4

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 0.4 -- 1.8 0.5 -- 1.5

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.10 0.00 1.08 1.55 0.00 2.63

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 trace -- trace -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.10 -- 0.10 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.00 -- 0.00 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 0.10 0.00 0.10 0 0 0

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Artemisia 

tridentata na

Achnatherum 

thurberianum

Coverage (%) 8 trace 3

Avg height (ft) 0.8 0.5 1.1

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,119 trace 50
EOSJ 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 32

Lakeview 15

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 42° 54′ 47.4′′ W 119° 55′ 42.3′′

Elevation: 5,545 ft Aspect: 150° Slope: 4%

Plant association: Juniperus occidentalis/Artemisia 

tridentata ssp. vaseyana/Pseudoroegnaria spicata

woodland

Cover type: Western juniper (SAF 238)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna – E

Juniper woodland successional stage: Phase III

Litter loading: 1.52 tons/ac (includes 0.31 tons/ac of moss)

Litter coverage: 17% (includes 8% moss coverage)

Mineral soil exposure: 13%

Understory (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

vaseyana (3), Achnatherum thurberianum (2),

Purshia tridentata (t), Elymus elymoides (t), 

Bromus tectorum (t), Acnatherum hymenoides (t), 

Lupinus spp. (t), Pseudoroegnaria spicata (t), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (t)

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Crown closure: 44%

Seedlings (% of stems): Juniperus occidentalis (100)

Density: 15/ac
EOSJ 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH JUNIPER 33

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Artemisia tridentata 1,096 19 1.2 1.4 1.2 2.7 525 0 73 0 598

Purshia tridentata trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Juniperus 

occidentalis

Tree density (stems/ac) 25 50 74 30 5 159

 Live 25 50 59 30 5 144

 Dead 0 0 15 0 0 15

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.4 5.8 12.7 19.0 38.8 12.5

 Live 2.4 5.8 13.2 19.0 38.8 12.7

 Dead -- -- 10.9 -- -- 10.9

Avg height (ft) 11.6 19.9 20.5 27.3 36.3 22.1

 Live 11.6 19.9 21.4 27.3 36.3 22.6

 Dead -- -- 16.9 -- -- 16.9

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.3 0.3 1.1 1.0 0.0 0.8

 Live 1.3 0.3 0.6 1.0 0.0 0.6

 Dead -- -- 2.8 -- -- 2.8

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.3 2.2 3.5 3.2 3.8 3.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.09 0.88 5.87 6.30 5.17 18.22

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.07 -- 0.07 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.44 -- 0.44 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.39 -- 0.39 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.30 0.22 0.52 19 19 38

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 1.20 0.22 1.42 19 19 38

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Artemisia 

tridentata

Lupinus 

spp.

Achnatherum 

thurberianum

Coverage (%) 4 trace 3

Avg height (ft) 1.5 0.4 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 598 10 45
34

EASTERN OREGON

SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 5 SITES

EOSP 01 THROUGH EOSP 05
SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 35

NOTES TO USERS:

1. Sites are grouped by biophysical setting and ordered by successional stage as defined by the LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Model 

descriptions (Rollins and Frame 2006). Figure 4, however, shows how sites would be arranged in order of increasing surface fuel loading (i.e., 

standing live and dead vegetation except for trees, litter, and dead and down woody fuels).

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on pages 7-8.

3. Photographs were taken in July 2008. Sampling was performed in July and August 2008.

4. The year of sampling (2008) was considered an “above average” growing year for grasses and other herbaceous vegetation.

5. The marker in these photographs is a 1-ft square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-ft intervals. The pole is 30 ft from the 

camera and is 6-ft tall. Note that no sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign.

6. Litter and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; vegetation loading is reported in pounds per acre.

7. Trace coverage, constancy, loading, or biomass is indicated either as “trace” or “t.” The designation of “na” indicates cases where data are 

missing or “not available.”

8. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter.

Figure 4—Eastern Oregon sagebrush with ponderosa pine photo series (EOSP) in order of increasing surface fuel loading.

0

2

4

6

8

01 03 05 02 04

Surface fuel loading (tons/ac)

Photo series site number (EOSP)
EOSP 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 36

Bend 01

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 43° 56′ 17.4′′ W 121° 11′ 57.7′′

Elevation: 4,315 ft Aspect: 319° Slope: 1%

Plant association: Pinus ponderosa/Purshia 

tridentata woodland

Cover type: Interior ponderosa pine (SAF 237)

Biophysical setting: Northern Rocky Mountain 

Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna - Xeric – A 

Litter loading: 0.01 tons/ac

Litter coverage: trace

Mineral soil exposure: 28%

Understory (% cover): Hesperostipa comata (23), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (15), Koeleria 

macrantha (3), Elymus elymoides (2), Purshia 

tridentata (1), Bromus tectorum (1), Achnatherum 

hymenoides (1)

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 0%

Seedlings (% of stems): none

Density: 0/ac
EOSP 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 37

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 5,370 3 1.3 1.8 1.7 4.2 1,946 0 170 0 2,116

Purshia tridentata trace 0 na na na na trace 0 0 0 trace

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species -- --

Pinus 

ponderosa -- --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 10 0 0 10

 Live 0 0 0 0 0 0

 Dead 0 0 10 0 0 10

Avg d.b.h. (in) -- -- 14.8 -- -- 14.8

 Live -- -- -- -- -- --

 Dead -- -- 14.8 -- -- 14.8

Avg height (ft) -- -- 33.5 -- -- 33.5

 Live -- -- -- -- -- --

 Dead -- -- 33.5 -- -- 33.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 27.0 -- -- 27.0

 Live -- -- -- -- -- --

 Dead -- -- 27.0 -- -- 27.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- -- -- -- --

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.02 -- 0.02 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.06 -- 0.06 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.05 -- 1.05 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.50 0.31 0.81 19 15 34

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 1.63 0.31 1.94 19 15 34

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Chrysothamnus 

viscidflorus na

Hesperostipa 

comata

Coverage (%) 17 trace 29

Avg height (ft) 1.9 0.8 1.4

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,116 trace 591
EOSP 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 38

Bend 05

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 43° 34′ 24.6′′ W 120° 55′ 17.6′′

Elevation: 4,900 ft Aspect: 235° Slope: 9%

Plant association: Pinus ponderosa/Purshia 

tridentata woodland

Cover type: Interior ponderosa pine (SAF 237)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna - B

Litter loading: 1.45 tons/ac (includes 0.89 tons/ac of duff)

Litter coverage: 25%

Mineral soil exposure: 7%

Understory (% cover): Purshia tridentata (18), 

Hesperostipa comata (15), Artemisia tridentata (13), 

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (1), Achnatherum

thurberianum (1), Elymus elymoides (t), Koeleria

macrantha (t)

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 21%

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (81), 

Juniperus occidentalis (19)

Density: 79/ac
EOSP 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 39

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Purshia tridentata 1,245 0 2.1 4.1 2.5 3.7 1,301 176 103 0 1,580

Artemisa tridentata 1,245 50 1.5 2.2 1.6 2.7 341 0 383 29 753

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 1,245 6 1.0 0.9 1.1 1.8 158 0 2 0 160

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Tree density (stems/ac) 5 5 0 10 20 35

 Live 5 5 0 5 20 30

 Dead 0 0 0 5 0 5

Avg d.b.h. (in) 3.5 4.7 -- 19.5 30.9 23.9

 Live 3.5 4.7 -- 21.0 30.9 24.9

 Dead -- -- -- 18.1 -- 18.1

Avg height (ft) 10.6 12.8 -- 42.9 94.4 68.1

 Live 10.6 12.8 -- 73.8 94.4 77.4

 Dead -- -- -- 12.0 -- 12.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.0 1.0 -- 32.7 27.8 24.1

 Live 1.0 1.0 -- 32.7 27.8 24.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 1.8 1.8 -- 32.7 27.8 24.3

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.04 0.08 0.00 1.79 16.13 18.00

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.10 -- 0.10 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.11 -- 0.11 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.43 -- 0.43 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.00 0.82 0.82 0 44 44

>9.0 0.00 1.00 1.00 0 15 15

Total 0.64 1.82 2.46 0 59 59

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Purshia 

tridentata na

Hesperostipa 

comata

Coverage (%) 32 trace 16

Avg height (ft) 2.4 1.1 2.0

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,493 2 425
EOSP 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 40

Bend 09

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 43° 30′ 55.8′′ W 121° 01′ 15.9′′

Elevation: 4,600 ft Aspect: 232° Slope: 3%

Plant association: Pinus ponderosa/Purshia 

tridentata woodland

Cover type: Interior ponderosa pine (SAF 237)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna - C

Litter loading: 0.92 tons/ac

Litter coverage: 38%

Mineral soil exposure: 5%

Understory (% cover): Purshia tridentata (17), 

Hesperostipa comata (17), Artemisia tridentata (9), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (1), Chrysothamnus 

viscidiflorus (t), Elymus elymoides (t)

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 34%

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 5/ac
EOSP 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 41

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Purshia tridentata 1,479 0 1.6 3.2 1.7 4.2 987 54 102 0 1,143

Artemisia tridentata 1,089 21 1.7 3.6 1.6 3.4 730 262 367 22 1,381

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 156 0 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 3 0 0 0 3

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species -- --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 10 35 0 45

 Live 0 0 10 35 0 45

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) -- -- 12.7 19.4 -- 17.9

 Live -- -- 12.7 19.4 -- 17.9

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) -- -- 44.5 68.8 -- 63.4

 Live -- -- 44.5 68.8 -- 63.4

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 4.9 7.8 -- 8.1

 Live -- -- 4.9 7.8 -- 8.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 9.3 7.8 -- 7.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 1.28 10.77 0.00 12.05

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.03 -- 0.03 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.17 -- 0.17 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.92 -- 0.92 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 1.12 0.00 1.12 0 0 0

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Purshia 

tridentata na

Hesperostipa 

comata

Coverage (%) 26 trace 18

Avg height (ft) 1.7 0.2 1.0

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,527 1 341
EOSP 04 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 42

Bend 04

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 43° 35′ 25.0′′ W 120° 48′ 54.1′′

Elevation: 5,840 ft Aspect: 165° Slope: 2%

Plant association: Pinus ponderosa/Purshia 

tridentata woodland

Cover type: Interior ponderosa pine (SAF 237)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna - D

Litter loading: 3.21 tons/ac (includes 1.02 tons/ac of duff)

Litter coverage: 49%

Mineral soil exposure: 0%

Understory (% cover): Hesperostipa comata (21),

Purshia tridentata (16), Artemisia tridentata (1), 

Elymus elymoides (t), Acnatherum hymenoides (t), 

Koeleria macrantha (t)

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 43%

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 30/ac
EOSP 04 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 43

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Purshia tridentata 1,790 4 2.0 3.9 2.1 3.0 1,368 143 94 0 1,605

Artemisia tridentata 1,090 57 2.0 4.2 1.9 3.2 237 191 1,157 141 1,726

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Pinus 

ponderosa --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Tree density (stems/ac) 5 0 20 45 25 90

 Live 5 0 20 40 20 80

 Dead 0 0 0 5 5 10

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.8 -- 13.3 19.4 28.2 20.5

 Live 2.8 -- 13.3 19.8 27.4 20.1

 Dead -- -- -- 16.2 31.3 23.8

Avg height (ft) 11.6 -- 54.8 73.3 65.8 67.1

 Live 11.6 -- 54.8 74.6 77.5 70.4

 Dead -- -- -- 63.0 19.0 41.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.3 -- 13.5 20.1 16.8 17.8

 Live 1.3 -- 13.5 19.5 16.8 17.3

 Dead -- -- -- 25.0 -- 25.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.0 -- 13.5 20.1 16.8 17.6

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.03 0.00 2.88 12.84 12.50 28.22

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.10 -- 0.10 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.21 -- 0.21 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.58 -- 0.58 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.22 0.44 0.66 19 39 58

>9.0 0.00 1.29 1.29 0 15 15

Total 1.11 1.73 2.84 19 54 63

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Purshia 

tridentata --

Hesperostipa 

comata

Coverage (%) 17 0 21

Avg height (ft) 2.0 -- 1.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 3,331 0 274
EOSP 05 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 44

Bend 08

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

Site location: N 43° 31′ 39.9′′ W 121° 01′ 02.5′′

Elevation: 4,650 ft Aspect: 39° Slope: 6%

Plant association: Pinus ponderosa/Purshia 

tridentata woodland

Cover type: Interior ponderosa pine (SAF 237)

Biophysical setting: Columbia Plateau Western 

Juniper Woodland and Savanna - E

Litter loading: 2.19 tons/ac (includes 0.02 tons/ac of duff)

Litter coverage: 79%

Mineral soil exposure: 2%

Understory (% cover): Hesperostipa comata (14), 

Purshia tridentata (10), Artemisia tridentata (4), 

Achnatherum thurberianum (t), Elymus elymoides (t)

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 28%

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 5/ac
EOSP 05 SAGEBRUSH WITH PONDEROSA PINE 45

SELECTED SHRUB SPECIES

Biomass (lbs/ac)

Density 

(plants/ac)

Dead 

(% of plants)

Avg crown 

breadth (ft)

Avg crown 

area (ft2)

Avg height 

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Foliage and 

live 1 in Live >1 in Dead 1 in Dead >1 in Total

Purshia tridentata 2,179 11 1.4 2.2 1.7 3.4 751 24 380 0 1,155

Artemisia tridentata 778 40 1.9 4.3 1.7 3.5 346 250 314 26 935

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in 16 - 25 in >25 in >4 in

Species Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa

Pinus 

ponderosa --

Pinus 

ponderosa

Tree density (stems/ac) 15 55 74 35 0 164

 Live 5 35 74 35 0 144

 Dead 10 20 0 0 0 20

Avg d.b.h. (in) 3.4 6.1 12.3 18.0 -- 11.4

 Live 3.4 6.3 12.3 18.0 -- 12.2

 Dead 3.4 5.9 -- -- -- 5.9

Avg height (ft) 12.0 24.1 53.8 66.6 -- 46.6

 Live 9.0 27.4 53.8 66.6 -- 50.5

 Dead 13.5 18.4 -- -- -- 18.4

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.0 9.3 13.7 18.4 -- 13.3

 Live 4.0 8.4 13.7 18.4 -- 13.6

 Dead -- 11.3 -- -- -- 11.3

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.0 8.4 13.7 18.4 -- 13.6

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.04 1.07 9.16 9.08 0.00 19.31

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

0.25 0.03 -- 0.03 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.09 -- 0.09 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.39 -- 0.39 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.06 0.33 0.39 5 24 29

>9.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0

Total 0.57 0.33 0.90 5 24 29

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common 

species

Purshia 

tridentata na

Hesperostipa 

comata

Coverage (%) 14 trace 14

Avg height (ft) 1.7 -- 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,090 trace 302
46

SPOTTED OWL

NESTING HABITAT

PHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 19 SITES

SONH 01 THROUGH SONH 19
SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 47

0

5 0

100

150

1 6 1 9 1 1 1 7 1 4 1 8 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 0 5 0 9 1 5 0 8 0 3 0 6 0 7 1 3 0 4

Surface fuel loading (tons/ac)

Photo series site number (SONH)

NOTES TO USERS:

1. The sites in this series are ordered geographically by Northwest Forest Plan northern spotted owl province (generally from the wettest province to the 

driest province), and within province on a gradient from driest to wettest Landfire biophysical setting. Figure 5, however, shows how sites would be 

arranged in order of increasing surface fuel loading (i.e., standing live and dead vegetation except for trees, litter, and dead and down woody fuels).

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on pages 7-8.

3. Photographs were taken between June and August 2010. Sampling occurred from June to September 2010.

4. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-ft intervals. The pole is 30 ft from 

the camera. Note that no sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign.

5. Forest floor and woody material loading are reported in tons per acre; vegetation loading is reported in pounds per acre.

6. Trace coverage, constancy, loading, or biomass is indicated either as “trace” or “t.” The designation of “na” indicates cases where data 

are missing or “not available.”

7. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter.

Figure 5—Spotted owl nesting habitat photo series (SONH) in order of increasing surface fuel loading.
SONH 01 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 48

PS04 Olympic NF

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 47° 54′ 20.2′′ W 124° 17′ 35.1′′

Elevation: 840 ft Aspect: 45° Slope: 70%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Olympic Peninsula

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.3 1.0 100

 Conifer litter 0.3 1.0 10

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 2.7 32.7 100

 Litter derived 2.7 32.7 100

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 3.0 33.7 100

Understory: Fragaria vesca, Galtheria shallon, 

Maianthemum stellatum, Opplopanax horridus, 

Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Polystichum munitum, 

Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus ursinus, Vaccinium 

alaskaense, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium 

parvifolium, Vicia spp.

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Tsuga heterophylla (60), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (40)

Standing dead trees: 49% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 29/ac

Crown closure: 79%

Seedlings (% of stems): Unknown conifer (72), Tsuga 

heterophylla (28)

Density: 68,281/ac

STAND INFORMATION
SONH 01 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 49

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Second most common

species -- --

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 134 70 79 53 6 208

 Live 117 67 76 26 4 173

 Dead 17 3 3 27 2 35

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.4 6.3 14.1 29.4 44.7 16.3

 Live 2.3 6.2 14.0 28.9 47.1 13.9

 Dead 3.5 7.2 17.1 29.9 41.2 27.4

Avg height (ft) 16.4 37.3 88.2 108.4 116.0 77.1

 Live 16.8 38.5 91.5 136.3 163.4 79.4

 Dead 14.0 15.3 11.7 80.9 48.3 66.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 5.8 16.2 22.1 29.8 45.5 22.4

 Live 5.2 16.2 22.2 24.2 54.2 20.8

 Dead 9.5 -- 15.0 38.2 26.6 36.3

Avg height to live crown (ft) 11.1 20.7 38.8 42.4 65.1 32.9

Basal area (ft2/ac) 5.3 3.9 22.0 64.5 16.3 106.7

 Live 4.2 3.7 20.7 30.9 10.6 65.9

 Dead 1.1 0.2 1.3 33.6 5.7 44.8

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

parvifolium --

Polystichum 

munitum --

Second most

common species

Gaultheria 

shallon --

Polypodium 

glycyrrhiza --

Coverage (%) 13 0 18 0

Avg height (ft) 2.2 -- 1.8 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 613 0 700 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.8 -- 2.8 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.3 3.7 5.0 65 136 201

9.1 - 20.0 0.0 13.6 13.6 0 84 84

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 13.0 13.0 0 19 19

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 5.8 30.3 36.1 65 239 304
SONH 02 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 50

PS05 Olympic NF

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.6 1.6 100

 Conifer litter 0.5 1.1 76

 Other 1.0 0.5 24

Duff 3.0 36.2 100

 Litter derived 3.0 36.2 100

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 3.6 37.8 100

Site location: N 47° 46′ 56.2′′ W 123° 03′ 21.1′′

Elevation: 2,690 ft Aspect: 180° Slope: 57%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Mesic-Wet 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Olympic Peninsula

Understory: Achlys triphylla, Adenocaulon bicolor, 

Fragaria vesca, Galium triflorum, Gaultheria ovatifolia, 

Gaultheria shallon, Mahonia nervosa, Maianthemum 

stellatum, Oplopanax horridus, Polystichum munitum, 

Pteridium aquilinum, Rhododendron macrophyllum, 

Ribes spp., Trientalis borealis, Trillium ovatum, 

Vaccinium alaskaense, Vaccinium parvifolium

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (52), 

Tsuga heterophylla (40), Thuja plicata (5), Abies 

amabilis (2), Taxus brevifolia (1) 

Standing dead trees: 8% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 5/ac

Crown closure: 95%

Seedlings (% of stems): Unknown conifer (49), Tsuga

heterophylla (46), Taxus brevifolia (3), Thuja plicata (1), 

Abies amabilis (1)

Density: 4,495/ac

STAND INFORMATION
SONH 02 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 51

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Thuja 

plicata

Abies 

amabilis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla --

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tree density (stems/ac) 134 35 45 33 27 140

 Live 134 26 32 31 24 113

 Dead 0 9 13 2 3 27

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.8 6.4 14.0 28.9 49.6 22.4

 Live 1.8 6.4 14.0 29.0 48.3 23.7

 Dead -- 6.2 14.0 27.8 59.3 17.3

Avg height (ft) 12.3 27.3 73.7 153.5 185.4 102.3

 Live 12.3 34.2 87.1 160.2 195.2 118.1

 Dead -- 8.4 42.0 58.7 108.0 39.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.3 13.2 28.5 58.6 61.3 40.4

 Live 4.3 13.2 27.2 61.3 58.9 40.2

 Dead -- -- 34.6 12.2 80.0 42.6

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.3 18.1 34.7 80.0 82.8 53.6

Basal area (ft2/ac) 3.6 2.1 12.5 39.5 91.4 145.5

 Live 3.6 1.6 8.8 37.2 77.1 124.7

 Dead 0.0 0.5 3.7 2.3 14.3 20.8

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Mahonia 

nervosa

Gaultheria 

ovatifolia

Polystichum 

munitum --

Second most

common species

Gaultheria 

shallon --

Fragaria 

vesca

--

Coverage (%) 7 trace 8 0

Avg height (ft) 0.7 0.2 1.2 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 59 1 155 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.9 -- 0.9 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.4 -- 2.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.3 -- 3.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.9 4.5 5.4 58 130 188

9.1 - 20.0 4.6 6.9 11.5 26 32 58

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 8.7 8.7 0 19 19

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 12.1 20.1 32.2 84 181 265
SONH 03 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 52

PS06 Olympic NF

Understory: Arnica latifolia, Clintonia uniflora, 

Fragaria vesca, Gaultheria ovatifolia, Galtheria 

shallon, Mahonia nervosa, Maianthemum stellatum, 

Rhododendron macrophyllum, Symphoricarpos albus, 

Trientalis borealis, Trillium ovatum, Vaccinium 

alaskaense, Vaccinium parvifolium

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (30), 

Thuja plicata (30), Tsuga heterophylla (22), Abies 

amabilis (15), Unknown spp. (2), Taxus brevifolia (1)

Standing dead trees: 25% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 24/ac

Crown closure: 80%

Seedlings (% of stems): Tsuga heterophylla (36), Abies 

amabilis (28), unknown conifer (23), Thuja plicata (13), 

Taxus brevifolia (1)

Density: 20,161/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 1.1 2.7 100

 Conifer litter 0.6 1.1 60

 Other 1.7 1.6 40

Duff 6.2 95.0 100

 Litter derived 4.2 36.1 72

 Rotten wood 11.3 58.9 28

Total 7.2 97.7 100

Site location: N 47° 49′ 44.3′′ W 123° 03′ 05.8′′

Elevation: 2,815 ft Aspect: 135° Slope: 40%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Mesic Western 

Hemlock – Pacific Silver Fir Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Olympic Peninsula
SONH 03 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 53

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Thuja 

plicata

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Abies 

amabilis

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Abies 

amabilis

Thuja 

plicata

Thuja 

plicata

Thuja 

plicata

Tree density (stems/ac) 788 136 156 81 14 387

 Live 788 124 107 59 12 302

 Dead 0 12 49 22 2 85

Avg d.b.h. (in) 0.7 7.3 14.0 30.0 55.8 16.6

 Live 0.7 7.3 14.6 28.8 57.4 16.1

 Dead -- 7.4 12.8 33.1 47.5 18.3

Avg height (ft) 7.0 45.8 86.2 105.3 162.4 78.9

 Live 7.0 45.8 103.7 139.2 168.0 89.5

 Dead -- 46.2 48.2 16.8 134.2 42.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.8 10.1 28.4 44.8 73.0 25.9

 Live 1.8 9.1 28.4 44.8 71.1 25.4

 Dead -- 19.8 28.3 -- 84.5 28.4

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.8 24.2 48.3 69.1 81.6 43.8

Basal area (ft2/ac) 2.9 10.3 43.5 102.8 65.1 221.7

 Live 2.9 9.3 32.0 67.7 57.5 166.5

 Dead 0.0 1.0 11.5 35.1 7.6 55.2

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

alaskaense

Gaultheria 

ovatifolia

Fragaria 

vesca

--

Second most

common species

Rhododendron 

macrophyllum

Mahonia 

nervosa

Clintonia 

uniflora --

Coverage (%) 8 10 4 0

Avg height (ft) 1.2 0.3 0.5 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 302 30 14 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.5 -- 1.5 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.9 -- 0.9 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.4 2.1 3.5 32 110 142

9.1 - 20.0 5.0 25.6 30.6 26 123 149

20.1 - 40.0 4.4 42.4 46.8 6 52 58

> 40.0 0.0 16.6 16.6 0 6 6

Total 13.8 86.7 100.5 64 292 356
SONH 04 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 54

PS16 Gifford Pinchot NF

Understory: Achlys triphylla, Maianthemum stellatum, 

Polystichum munitum, Pteridium aquilinum, Rosa 

gymnocarpa, Symphoricarpos albus, Vaccinium spp. 

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Tsuga heterophylla (65), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (24), Taxus brevifolia (6), Thuja 

plicata (4)

Standing dead trees: 20% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 13/ac

Crown closure: 95%

Seedlings (% of stems): Tsuga heterophylla (72), Acer 

circinatum (22), unknown conifer (4), Thuja plicata (1),

Taxus brevifolia (1)

Density: 2,767/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.6 1.7 100

 Conifer litter 0.6 1.7 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 1.9 23.9 100

 Litter derived 1.7 19.8 96

 Rotten wood 5.5 4.1 4

Total 2.4 25.6 100

Site location: N 46° 05′ 38.2′′ W 121° 54′ 32.5′′

Elevation: 1,960 ft Aspect: 296° Slope: 5%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Mesic-Wet 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Washington Cascades
SONH 04 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 55

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Second most common

species

Acer 

circinatum

Taxus 

brevifolia

Thuja 

plicata

Thuja 

plicata

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 185 29 50 32 33 144

 Live 168 29 50 26 26 131

 Dead 17 0 0 6 7 13

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.3 5.7 12.7 27.1 72.4 28.3

 Live 1.3 5.7 12.7 25.8 67.7 24.8

 Dead 1.4 -- -- 33.0 90.9 64.4

Avg height (ft) 11.6 30.7 75.5 111.9 178.2 98.3

 Live 11.4 30.7 75.5 124.3 209.1 102.3

 Dead 13.0 -- -- 55.4 57.9 56.8

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.9 6.9 23.6 40.8 107.8 40.3

 Live 3.1 6.9 23.6 39.8 107.8 40.1

 Dead 1.0 -- -- 59.0 -- 59.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.5 13.1 27.3 47.2 107.8 44.4

Basal area (ft2/ac) 2.1 1.3 11.2 33.7 245.0 291.2

 Live 1.9 1.3 11.2 25.1 168.1 205.7

 Dead 0.2 0.0 0.0 8.6 76.9 85.5

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

spp.

--

Achlys 

triphylla --

Second most

common species

Rosa 

gymnocarpa

--

Polystichum 

munitum --

Coverage (%) 2 0 46 0

Avg height (ft) 1.4 -- 1.2 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 48 0 164 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.1 -- 3.1 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.4 2.4 3.8 45 71 116

9.1 - 20.0 13.0 28.1 41.1 65 143 208

20.1 - 40.0 20.7 76.7 97.4 19 104 123

> 40.0 0.0 11.9 11.9 0 6 6

Total 40.1 119.1 159.2 129 324 453
SONH 05 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 56

PS17 Gifford Pinchot NF

Understory: Chimaphila umbellata, Clintonia uniflora, 

Fragaria vesca, Rosa gymnocarpa, Trientalis borealis, 

Vaccinium spp., Xerophyllum tenax

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Tsuga heterophylla (52), 

Abies amabilis (40), Pseudotsuga menziesii (8)

Standing dead trees: 23% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 41/ac

Crown closure: 51%

Seedlings (% of stems): unknown conifer (46), Abies 

amabilis (37), Tsuga heterophylla (16), Acer circinatum (1)

Density: 14,760/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.3 0.8 100

 Conifer litter 0.3 0.8 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 1.6 19.1 100

 Litter derived 1.6 19.1 100

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 1.9 19.9 100

Site location: N 46° 05′ 44.8′′ W 121° 52′ 01.5′′

Elevation: 3,390 ft Aspect: 204° Slope: 2%

Cover type: Western Hemlock (SAF 224)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic 

Pacific Silver Fir – Western Hemlock – Douglas-fir Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Washington Cascades
SONH 05 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 57

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Abies 

amabilis

Abies 

amabilis

Abies 

amabilis

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Second most common

species

Tsuga 

heterophylla --

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Abies 

amabilis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

amabilis

Tree density (stems/ac) 1,342 199 45 91 86 421

 Live 1,342 199 34 88 48 369

 Dead 0 0 11 3 38 52

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.4 4.9 15.1 32.0 45.6 20.2

 Live 1.4 4.9 13.9 32.0 42.3 17.0

 Dead -- -- 18.9 31.3 49.8 42.1

Avg height (ft) 10.4 21.6 55.8 137.0 133.0 73.0

 Live 10.4 21.6 69.9 141.0 149.1 70.9

 Dead -- -- 13.1 42.0 113.0 87.4

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.3 7.2 27.6 54.4 59.8 30.3

 Live 2.3 7.2 27.6 54.4 54.0 26.4

 Dead -- -- -- 55.0 67.0 66.8

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.2 8.3 29.3 55.0 54.0 27.3

Basal area (ft2/ac) 21.7 6.7 15.1 128.7 246.5 397.0

 Live 21.7 6.7 9.6 124.3 116.5 257.1

 Dead 0.0 0.0 5.5 4.4 130.0 139.9

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

spp.

Chimaphila 

umbellata

Fragaria 

vesca

--

Second most

common species

Rosa 

gymnocarpa

--

Trientalis 

borealis --

Coverage (%) 21 trace 12 0

Avg height (ft) 2.7 0.3 0.6 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 779 trace 32 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.7 -- 0.7 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.9 3.3 4.2 39 117 156

9.1 - 20.0 2.3 23.6 25.9 13 149 162

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 8.2 8.2 0 26 26

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 5.6 35.1 40.7 52 292 344
SONH 06 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 58

PS01 Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF

Understory: Gaultheria ovatifolia, Gaultheria shallon, 

Polystichum munitum, Trientalis borealis, Vaccinium 

ovatum

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (44),

Tsuga heterophylla (45), Thuja plicata (11)

Standing dead trees: 26% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 28/ac

Crown closure: 78%

Seedlings (% of stems): Tsuga heterophylla (100)

Density: 889/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.3 1.0 100

 Conifer litter 0.3 0.9 96

 Other 0.4 0.1 4

Duff 7.3 96.8 96

 Litter derived 6.8 62.2 76

 Rotten wood 9.2 34.6 20

Total 7.4 97.8 100

Site location: N 47° 53′ 55.3′′ W 121° 24′ 03.7′′

Elevation: 1,325 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Mesic Western 

Hemlock – Pacific Silver Fir Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Washington Cascades
SONH 06 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 59

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species --

Thuja 

plicata

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Thuja 

plicata --

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tree density (stems/ac) 134 81 149 64 42 336

 Live 134 73 123 36 42 274

 Dead 0 8 26 28 0 62

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.6 6.3 11.1 28.6 45.7 17.6

 Live 1.6 6.2 10.8 28.9 45.7 17.3

 Dead -- 7.5 12.5 28.3 -- 19.0

Avg height (ft) 9.3 36.2 67.0 105.9 232.9 87.6

 Live 9.3 35.3 77.4 147.5 232.9 99.2

 Dead -- 43.5 17.8 53.0 -- 37.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 5.1 14.7 27.4 48.0 115.5 39.8

 Live 5.1 14.3 27.4 46.0 115.5 39.8

 Dead -- 20.0 -- 62.5 -- 40.3

Avg height to live crown (ft) 6.5 16.1 38.8 58.8 118.4 47.5

Basal area (ft2/ac) 2.3 4.7 25.6 73.2 122.7 226.2

 Live 2.3 4.0 20.0 41.4 122.7 188.1

 Dead 0.0 0.7 5.6 31.8 0.0 38.1

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

ovatum

Gaultheria 

ovatifolia

Polystichum 

munitum --

Second most

common species

Gaultheria 

shallon --

Trientalis 

borealis --

Coverage (%) 13 2 14 0

Avg height (ft) 2.6 0.6 0.7 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 913 7 40 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.9 -- 1.9 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.3 -- 3.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.3 8.4 9.7 26 201 227

9.1 - 20.0 5.6 29.8 35.4 19 182 201

20.1 - 40.0 4.1 17.8 21.9 6 39 45

> 40.0 0.0 35.0 35.0 0 19 19

Total 16.8 91.0 107.8 51 441 492
SONH 07 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 60

PS02 Eugene BLM

Understory: Polystichum munitum, Pteridium 

aquilinum, Vaccinium spp.

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Tsuga heterophylla (72), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (27), Acer circinatum (1)

Standing dead trees: 0% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 0/ac

Crown closure: 88%

Seedlings (% of stems): Tsuga heterophylla (100), Thuja 

plicata (t)

Density: 120,058/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.4 1.3 100

 Conifer litter 0.4 1.3 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 2.8 36.7 100

 Litter derived 2.6 28.7 92

 Rotten wood 5.3 8.0 8

Total 3.3 38.0 100

Site location: N 44° 14′ 23.3′′ W 123° 28′ 57.8′′

Elevation: 1,395 ft Aspect: 200° Slope: 15%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Oregon Coast Range
SONH 07 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 61

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species

--

Tsuga 

heterphylla

Tsuga 

heterphylla

Tsuga 

heterphylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterphylla

Second most common

species --

Acer 

circinatum

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii --

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 18 36 27 19 100

 Live 0 16 33 27 19 95

 Dead 0 2 3 0 0 5

Avg d.b.h. (in) -- 7.0 13.8 22.6 50.5 22.0

 Live -- 7.1 13.5 22.6 50.5 22.5

 Dead -- 6.1 17.5 -- -- 12.4

Avg height (ft) -- 46.9 101.8 130.4 187.5 115.9

 Live -- 51.4 106.9 130.4 187.5 120.5

 Dead -- 13.7 39.8 -- -- 28.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- 30.0 35.2 46.3 92.4 48.9

 Live -- 30.0 34.6 46.3 92.4 48.9

 Dead -- -- 60.0 -- -- 60.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- 30.0 50.1 55.2 98.7 58.0

Basal area (ft2/ac) 0.0 1.2 9.7 18.7 68.8 98.4

 Live 0.0 1.1 8.5 18.7 68.8 97.1

 Dead 0.0 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 1.3

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

spp.

--

Polystichum 

munitum na

Second most

common species -- --

Pteridium 

aquilinum --

Coverage (%) 2 0 14 1

Avg height (ft) 1.2 -- 2.1 1.3

Biomass (lbs/ac) 72 0 335 trace

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.3 -- 1.3 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.2 -- 3.2 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.2 2.4 4.6 71 58 129

9.1 - 20.0 23.4 6.0 29.4 143 32 175

20.1 - 40.0 25.4 0.0 25.4 26 0 26

> 40.0 42.4 12.6 55.0 19 7 26

Total 98.5 21.0 119.5 259 97 356
SONH 08 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 62

PS03 Siuslaw NF

Understory: Polystichum munitum, Pteridium 

aquilinum, Rhododendron macrophyllum, Rubus 

ursinus, Vaccinium spp.

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (61), 

Tsuga heterophylla (27), Alnus rubra (9), Acer 

circinatum (3)

Standing dead trees: 22% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 14/ac

Crown closure: 92%

Seedlings (% of stems): Acer circinatum (100)

Density: 352/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.7 1.9 92

 Conifer litter 0.7 1.9 92

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 4.5 56.8 92

 Litter derived 3.8 38.0 84

 Rotten wood 12.6 18.8 8

Total 5.2 58.7 92

Site location: N 44° 07′ 58.6′′ W 123° 55′ 20.7′′

Elevation: 590 ft Aspect: 45° Slope: 25%

Cover type: Pacific Douglas-fir (SAF 229)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Mesic-Wet 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Oregon Coast Range
SONH 08 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 63

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Acer 

circinatum

Alnus 

rubra

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla --

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tree density (stems/ac) 235 44 39 30 35 148

 Live 235 24 31 30 21 106

 Dead 0 20 8 <1 14 42

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.8 5.3 15.6 27.6 54.7 24.4

 Live 1.8 4.7 15.8 27.6 58.4 25.1

 Dead -- 6.1 14.9 33.8 49.2 22.5

Avg height (ft) 16.4 33.6 104.1 144.3 129.6 97.6

 Live 16.4 29.0 112.3 145.2 200.2 120.3

 Dead -- 39.3 72.8 11.5 23.7 40.4

Avg height to crown base (ft) 8.7 14.3 30.8 53.6 83.6 40.9

 Live 8.7 8.0 30.8 53.6 83.6 42.6

 Dead -- 26.2 -- -- -- 26.2

Avg height to live crown (ft) 9.9 8.8 48.3 77.2 89.5 55.7

Basal area (ft2/ac) 5.5 1.8 13.6 32.2 153.7 201.3

 Live 5.5 0.7 11.0 31.9 103.5 147.1

 Dead 0.0 1.1 2.6 0.3 50.2 54.2

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

spp.

--

Polystichum 

munitum na

Second most

common species

Rhododendron 

macrophyllum --

Pteridium 

aquilinum --

Coverage (%) 31 0 9 trace

Avg height (ft) 2.9 -- 1.8 na

Biomass (lbs/ac) 2,508 0 144 1

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.3 -- 1.3 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.9 -- 1.9 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.6 0.9 3.5 84 39 123

9.1 - 20.0 3.8 11.2 15.0 20 45 65

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 46.2 46.2 0 65 65

> 40.0 0.0 23.6 23.6 0 13 13

Total 10.2 81.9 92.1 104 162 266
SONH 09 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 64

PS13 Umpqua NF

Understory: Achlys triphylla, Gaultheria shallon, 

Goodyera oblongifolia, Mahonia nervosa, 

Rhododendron macrophyllum, Trientalis borealis, 

Trillium ovatum, Vaccinium spp.

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Tsuga heterophylla (42), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (29), Thuja plicata (22), 

Unknown conifer (4), Calocedrus decurrens (3), 

Cornus nutallii (t), Pinus lambertiana (t), Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla (t)

Standing dead trees: 13% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 16/ac

Crown closure: 88%

Seedlings (% of stems): Acer circinatum (53), unknown 

conifer (24), Tsuga heterophylla (21), Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla (1), Thuja plicata (1), Taxus brevifolia (1)

Density: 5,904/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.7 1.7 92

 Conifer litter 0.6 1.2 72

 Other 1.1 0.5 20

Duff 5.5 84.1 100

 Litter derived 4.8 34.2 60

 Rotten wood 6.7 49.9 40

Total 6.2 85.8 100

Site location: N 43° 26′ 29.6′′ W 122° 33′ 23.9′′

Elevation: 2,830 ft Aspect: 60° Slope: 46%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Oregon Cascades
SONH 09 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 65

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Acer 

circinatum

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Thuja 

plicata

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Second most common

species

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Thuja 

plicata

Tsuga 

heterophylla

Thuja 

plicata

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 503 55 47 112 16 230

 Live 436 50 33 97 15 195

 Dead 67 5 14 15 1 35

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.3 6.1 16.4 27.5 46.6 21.5

 Live 1.3 6.0 16.8 26.7 46.8 21.3

 Dead 1.5 7.3 15.3 33.0 41.3 22.4

Avg height (ft) 10.5 34.5 70.6 129.4 187.7 98.8

 Live 10.9 34.6 85.9 143.8 193.0 110.0

 Dead 7.9 33.1 34.2 32.4 58.0 33.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) 5.3 13.1 17.3 14.2 67.3 18.3

 Live 5.3 12.7 17.3 12.3 67.3 17.5

 Dead -- 18.1 -- 47.0 -- 34.5

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.9 18.2 43.2 51.9 83.0 44.2

Basal area (ft2/ac) 7.5 2.8 17.5 117.4 47.2 184.9

 Live 6.5 2.5 13.0 95.5 45.8 156.8

 Dead 1.0 0.3 4.5 21.9 1.4 28.1

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Gaultheria 

shallon na

Achlys 

triphylla --

Second most

common species

Mahonia 

nervosa

--

Trientalis 

borealis --

Coverage (%) 7 trace 1 0

Avg height (ft) 1.6 0.2 0.4 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 256 8 3 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.3 -- 1.3 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.2 -- 2.2 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0 45 45

9.1 - 20.0 1.6 12.9 14.5 13 65 78

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 37.9 37.9 0 52 52

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 5.7 51.8 57.5 13 162 175
SONH 10 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 66

PS15 H.J. Andrews

Understory: Gaultheria shallon, Goodyera oblongifolia, 

Mahonia nervosa, Pyrola picta, Vaccinium spp.

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (77), 

Thuja plicata (19), Tsuga heterophylla (4)

Standing dead trees: 40% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 8/ac

Crown closure: 91%

Seedlings (% of stems): Thuja plicata (92), Tsuga

heterophylla (8)

Density: 218/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.5 1.4 100

 Conifer litter 0.4 1.0 80

 Other 0.9 0.4 20

Duff 2.8 41.5 100

 Litter derived 2.0 19.3 80

 Rotten wood 5.9 22.2 20

Total 3.3 42.9 100

Site location: N 44° 17′ 22.5′′ W 122° 10′ 26.1′′

Elevation: 2,795 ft Aspect: 320° Slope: 15%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Mesic-Wet 

Douglas-fir – Western Hemlock Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Oregon Cascades
SONH 10 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 67

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Tsuga 

heterophylla

Thuja 

plicata

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Thuja 

plicata

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Thuja 

plicata

Tsuga 

heterophylla --

Thuja 

plicata

Tree density (stems/ac) 117 264 309 16 4 593

 Live 67 209 253 9 3 474

 Dead 50 55 56 7 1 119

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.2 6.2 12.5 25.8 50.8 10.3

 Live 2.0 6.2 13.0 21.5 53.1 10.4

 Dead 2.4 6.0 10.6 31.7 41.5 9.8

Avg height (ft) 13.3 37.4 89.5 76.0 120.6 66.1

 Live 14.9 40.7 102.0 123.0 144.9 75.6

 Dead 11.2 24.6 32.7 11.6 20.0 27.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) 7.9 14.3 45.5 52.4 66.7 32.8

 Live 8.1 12.7 50.7 52.4 66.7 34.1

 Dead 7.7 36.0 20.0 -- -- 23.6

Avg height to live crown (ft) 10.8 19.0 65.7 69.7 73.0 45.3

Basal area (ft2/ac) 3.8 14.5 68.1 14.8 12.9 110.3

 Live 2.1 11.7 59.5 5.6 11.3 88.1

 Dead 1.7 2.8 8.6 9.2 1.6 22.2

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Gaultheria 

shallon na

Pyrola 

picta na

Second most

common species

Mahonia 

nervosa

--

Goodyera 

oblongifolia --

Coverage (%) 7 1 2 trace

Avg height (ft) 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 43 4 6 6

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.8 -- 0.8 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.3 -- 2.3 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.5 -- 2.5 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 7.6 2.8 10.4 227 130 357

9.1 - 20.0 0.7 2.7 3.4 7 19 26

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 5.3 5.3 0 7 7

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 13.9 10.8 24.7 234 156 390
SONH 11 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 68

PS14 Willamette NF

Understory: Fragaria vesca, Vaccinium spp., 

Xerophyllum tenax

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Abies amabilis (51), Tsuga

mertensiana (23), Pseudotsuga menziesii (19), Pinus

monticola (7)

Standing dead trees: 15% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 5/ac

Crown closure: 52%

Seedlings (% of stems): Abies amabilis (74), unknown 

conifer (24), Tsuga mertensiana (2), Pinus monticola (t)

Density: 8,503/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.4 1.0 100

 Conifer litter 0.4 1.0 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 2.5 30.9 100

 Litter derived 2.3 26.6 96

 Rotten wood 5.7 4.3 4

Total 2.8 31.9 100

Site location: N 44° 12′ 03.3′′ W 121° 55′ 11.8′′

Elevation: 4,800 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Western Hemlock (SAF 230)

Biophysical setting: North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic 

Pacific Silver Fir – Western Hemlock – Douglas-fir Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Western Oregon Cascades
SONH 11 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 69

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Abies 

amabilis

Abies 

amabilis

Abies 

amabilis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii --

Abies 

amabilis

Second most common

species

Tsuga 

mertensiana

Tsuga 

mertensiana

Pinus 

monticola

Tsuga 

mertensiana --

Tsuga 

mertensiana

Tree density (stems/ac) 621 155 177 33 0 365

 Live 537 155 58 28 0 241

 Dead 84 0 119 5 0 124

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.9 5.7 11.7 25.8 -- 10.4

 Live 1.7 5.7 11.7 26.3 -- 9.5

 Dead 3.0 -- 11.7 23.6 -- 12.2

Avg height (ft) 9.3 28.1 39.0 98.5 -- 39.8

 Live 8.6 28.1 62.8 100.3 -- 44.8

 Dead 13.6 -- 27.3 89.0 -- 30.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.8 8.0 10.3 17.4 -- 9.8

 Live 3.7 8.0 11.6 18.4 -- 10.0

 Dead 5.5 -- 7.7 12.0 -- 8.4

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.5 10.5 21.5 34.6 -- 15.9

Basal area (ft2/ac) 14.9 7.3 33.4 30.9 0.0 71.6

 Live 10.6 7.3 11.1 26.9 0.0 45.3

 Dead 4.3 0.0 22.3 4.0 0.0 26.3

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

spp.

--

Xerophyllum 

tenax

--

Second most

common species --

Fragaria 

vesca

--

Coverage (%) 21 0 31 0

Avg height (ft) 1.4 -- 1.1 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 171 0 1,699 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 0.8 -- 0.8 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.2 4.5 6.7 65 117 182

9.1 - 20.0 1.5 7.4 8.9 13 58 71

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 5.4 11.9 17.3 78 175 253
SONH 12 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 70

PS08 Rogue River NF

Understory: Adenocaulon bicolor, Chimaphila 

umbellata, Fragaria vesca, Gaultheria ovatifolia, 

Mahonia repens, Pyrola spp., Ribes sanguineum, Rosa 

gymnocarpa, Rubus nivalis, Rubus ursinus, 

Maianthemum stellatum, Symphoricarpos mollis, 

Trientalis borealis, Vaccinium membranaceum

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Abies concolor(37), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (24), Calocedrus decurrens(20), 

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (14), Pinus lambertiana (4), 

Cornus nuttallii (1)

Standing dead trees: 17% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 8/ac

Crown closure: 80%

Seedlings (% of stems): Acer circinatum (40), Alnus 

rubra (31), unknown conifer (26), Cornus nuttallii (1), 

Pinus lambertiana (1), Lithocarpus densiflorus (t), 

Calocedrus decurrens (t), Abies concolor (t)

Density: 6,323/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.8 2.3 100

 Conifer litter 0.8 2.3 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 3.1 42.2 96

 Litter derived 2.3 24.5 88

 Rotten wood 11.8 17.7 8

Total 3.8 44.5 100

Site location: N 42° 48′ 13.5′′ W 122° 25′ 08.8′′

Elevation: 3,810 ft Aspect: 180° Slope: 2%

Cover type: White fir (SAF 211)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California DryMesic Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Western Oregon Cascades
SONH 12 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 71

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Alnus 

rubra

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Abies 

concolor

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

concolor

Second most common

species

Acer 

circinatum

Abies 

concolor

Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla

Abies 

concolor

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 772 243 73 36 10 362

 Live 688 222 35 29 9 295

 Dead 84 21 38 7 1 67

Avg d.b.h. (in) 0.7 6.7 14.1 26.3 52.6 11.4

 Live 0.6 6.9 14.9 25.6 53.3 11.1

 Dead 1.2 5.2 13.4 29.4 44.4 12.7

Avg height (ft) 8.9 41.2 83.7 118.6 168.0 60.9

 Live 8.9 43.5 97.0 131.7 174.5 62.6

 Dead 9.1 17.0 71.4 61.0 87.1 53.6

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.0 5.7 4.2 6.5 37.8 6.4

 Live 3.0 5.6 4.8 6.3 39.9 6.7

 Dead 3.5 7.2 3.7 8.1 5.3 4.8

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.7 22.4 29.8 44.8 64.2 26.8

Basal area (ft2/ac) 4.0 15.2 21.0 34.6 38.3 109.1

 Live 3.3 14.4 11.1 26.6 36.3 88.4

 Dead 0.7 0.8 9.9 8.0 2.0 20.7

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium

membranaceum

Gaultheria 

ovatifolia

Trientalis 

borealis --

Second most

common species

Symphoricarpos

mollis

Chimaphila 

umbellata

Maianthemum

stellatum --

Coverage (%) 17 4 8 0

Avg height (ft) 0.9 0.2 0.4 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 303 40 10 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.7 -- 1.7 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.3 -- 2.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 3.1 1.9 5.0 156 71 227

9.1 - 20.0 0.0 1.2 1.2 0 6 6

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 18.7 18.7 0 26 26

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 7.5 21.8 29.3 156 103 259
SONH 13 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 72

PS07 Rogue River NF

Understory: Chimaphila menziesii, Clintonia uniflora,

Gaultheria ovatifolia, Goodyera oblongifolia, Mahonia 

nervosa, Pyrola spp., Ribes spp., Rosa gymnocarpa, 

Vaccinium membranaceum, Vancouveria hexandra

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (48), 

Abies concolor (46), Taxus brevifolia (3), Pinus 

lambertiana (3)

Standing dead trees: 17% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 8/ac

Crown closure: 48%

Seedlings (% of stems): Chrysolepis chrysophylla (91), 

Taxus brevifolia (8), Abies concolor (1)

Density: 4,109/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.4 0.9 84

 Conifer litter 0.4 0.7 72

 Other 0.5 0.2 12

Duff 2.5 30.6 88

 Litter derived 2.0 18.2 76

 Rotten wood 5.5 12.4 12

Total 2.6 31.5 96

Site location: N 42° 20′ 49.1′′ W 122° 21′ 37.3′′

Elevation: 4,750 ft Aspect: 225° Slope: 28%

Cover type: Pacific Douglas-fir (SAF 229)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California Mesic 

Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Western Oregon Cascades
SONH 13 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 73

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla

Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Taxus 

brevifolia

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

concolor --

Abies 

concolor

Tree density (stems/ac) 235 79 88 36 11 214

 Live 235 71 81 28 11 191

 Dead 0 8 7 8 <1 23

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.2 6.0 14.5 24.7 46.8 14.8

 Live 1.2 6.2 14.9 23.9 46.6 14.8

 Dead -- 4.6 9.5 27.7 52.9 14.5

Avg height (ft) 8.8 29.6 70.6 103.4 149.8 65.2

 Live 8.8 30.0 73.6 110.8 151.5 67.3

 Dead -- 26.0 37.0 76.6 53.0 47.1

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.7 9.7 17.9 33.8 50.6 19.1

 Live 1.7 9.6 28.18.7 35.8 50.6 19.7

 Dead -- 11.0 8.0 22.2 46.0 13.1

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.8 15.0 28.0 45.7 68.1 28.0

Basal area (ft2/ac) 3.1 4.1 26.3 30.8 33.5 94.7

 Live 3.1 3.9 25.4 22.6 32.8 84.7

 Dead 0.0 0.2 0.9 8.2 0.7 10.0

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Rosa 

gymnocarpa

Chimaphila 

umbellata

Vancouveria 

hexandra na

Second most

common species

Mahonia 

nervosa

Gaultheria 

ovatifolia

Goodyera 

oblongifolia --

Coverage (%) 7 1 3 trace

Avg height (ft) 1.3 0.1 0.4 1.2

Biomass (lbs/ac) 131 16 12 trace

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.4 -- 2.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 4.3 2.2 6.5 169 97 266

9.1 - 20.0 5.9 2.9 8.8 45 20 65

20.1 - 40.0 14.6 8.1 22.7 26 13 39

> 40.0 92.4 0.0 92.4 45 0 45

Total 121.5 13.2 134.7 285 130 415
SONH 14 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 74

PS09 Rogue River NF

Understory: Adenocaulon bicolor, Apocynum 

androsaemifolium, Carex spp., Festuca spp., Goodyera 

oblongifolia, Lupinus spp., Mahonia aquifolium, 

Mahonia nervosa, Polystichum munitum, Prosartes 

hookeri, Pteridium aquilinum, Ribes sanguineum, 

Rubus ursinus, Maianthemum stellatum, Symphoricarpos

mollis, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Trientalis borealis

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (69), 

Acer macrophyllum (14), Cornus nutallii (7), Quercus

spp. (6), Arbutus menziesii (4)

Standing dead trees: 1% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 1/ac

Crown closure: 81%

Seedlings (% of stems): Acer macrophyllum (74), Cornus 

nuttallii (10), Alnus rubra (9), Quercus spp. (7)

Density: 1,157/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.7 2.2 100

 Conifer litter 0.7 2.2 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 2.3 29.3 100

 Litter derived 2.2 24.9 96

 Rotten wood 5.9 4.4 4

Total 3.0 31.5 100

Site location: N 42° 05′ 09.7′′ W 123° 01′ 51.5′′

Elevation: 3,070 ft Aspect: 23° Slope: 48%

Cover type: Pacific Douglas-fir (SAF 229)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California DryMesic Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Oregon Klamath
SONH 14 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 75

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Alnus 

rubra

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Acer 

macrophyllum

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Cornus 

nuttallii

Cornus 

nuttallii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii -- --

Acer 

macrophyllum

Tree density (stems/ac) 101 30 49 124 6 209

 Live 67 25 45 124 5 199

 Dead 34 5 4 0 1 10

Avg d.b.h. (in) 0.3 5.8 11.5 30.3 52.3 23.0

 Live 0.3 5.6 11.6 30.3 54.2 23.5

 Dead 0.3 6.7 11.1 -- 43.4 12.1

Avg height (ft) 7.8 35.4 78.3 166.3 165.9 126.6

 Live 7.4 38.2 77.3 166.3 178.9 130.3

 Dead 8.5 22.1 89.2 -- 103.3 57.7

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.3 13.2 20.2 32.2 53.5 27.5

 Live 2.1 12.8 17.8 32.2 60.1 27.2

 Dead 2.8 20.6 45.2 -- 21.6 37.1

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.6 20.9 38.4 102.4 95.2 77.4

Basal area (ft2/ac) <0.1 1.5 9.3 157.2 22.0 190.0

 Live <0.1 1.2 8.5 157.2 19.4 186.3

 Dead <0.1 0.3 0.8 0.0 2.6 3.7

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Mahonia 

nervosa

--

Adenocaulon 

bicolor

Carex 

spp.

Second most

common species

Symphoricarpos

mollis --

Trientalis 

borealis

Festuca 

spp.

Coverage (%) 16 0 9 3

Avg height (ft) 1.3 -- 0.7 1.3

Biomass (lbs/ac) 271 0 23 7

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.7 -- 1.7 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 3.6 -- 3.6 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 2.1 2.7 4.8 78 110 188

9.1 - 20.0 4.7 5.2 9.9 26 39 65

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 12.6 7.9 20.5 104 149 253
SONH 15 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 76

PS11 Siskiyou NF Understory: Polystichum munitum, Rhododendron 

macrophyllum, Vaccinium ovatum, Xerophyllum tenax

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Calocedrus decurrens (40), 

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (31), Pseudotsuga 

menziesii (26), Acer macrophyllum (2), Alnus rubra (1)

Standing dead trees: 35% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 25/ac

Crown closure: 90%

Seedlings (% of stems): Lithocarpus densiflorus (99), 

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (1), Umbellularia 

californica (t), unknown conifer (t)

Density: 9,778/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.7 1.9 100

 Conifer litter 0.6 1.7 88

 Other 0.8 0.2 12

Duff 2.7 32.9 100

 Litter derived 2.7 32.9 100

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 3.4 34.8 100

Site location: N 42° 29′ 21.8′′ W 124° 17′ 05.0′′

Elevation: 1,055 ft Aspect: 236° Slope: 23%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Tanoak–Pacific Madrone (SAF 234)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California Mesic 

Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Oregon Klamath
SONH 15 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 77

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Lithocarpus 

densiflorus

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Second most common

species

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Calocedrus 

decurrens

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Chamaecyparis 

lawsoniana

Tree density (stems/ac) 218 38 75 33 39 185

 Live 201 29 67 18 29 143

 Dead 17 9 8 15 10 42

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.7 6.7 9.3 22.7 70.0 23.9

 Live 1.7 6.2 9.7 23.2 72.9 23.4

 Dead 1.7 8.5 6.6 22.2 61.8 25.7

Avg height (ft) 13.1 32.5 67.4 104.1 156.6 85.5

 Live 12.5 35.3 67.2 123.5 198.5 94.1

 Dead 20.0 22.9 68.9 81.0 38.2 56.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.4 12.3 21.0 27.4 81.6 30.7

 Live 4.4 11.5 22.1 36.8 82.5 33.9

 Dead 17.0 15.3 12.5 14.0 59.0 15.7

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.7 16.8 34.5 53.8 90.5 44.6

Basal area (ft2/ac) 5.0 2.5 11.2 24.1 277.9 315.7

 Live 4.7 1.6 10.5 13.5 224.3 249.9

 Dead 0.3 0.9 0.7 10.6 53.6 65.8

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Vaccinium 

ovatum

--

Polystichum 

munitum --

Second most

common species

Rhododendron 

macrophyllum --

Xerophyllum 

tenax

--

Coverage (%) 34 0 18 0

Avg height (ft) 4.7 -- 2.3 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 1,413 0 506 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.6 -- 0.6 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.7 -- 1.7 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.7 -- 1.7 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.4 1.4 1.8 20 58 78

9.1 - 20.0 0.0 6.2 6.2 0 39 39

20.1 - 40.0 2.8 56.7 59.5 6 65 71

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 7.2 64.3 71.5 26 162 188
SONH 16 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 78

PS10 Siskiyou NF

Understory: Achlys triphylla, Adenocaulon bicolor, 

Apocynum androsaemifolium, Goodyera oblongifolia, 

Polystichum munitum, Pteridium aquilinum, Ribes spp., 

Symphoricarpos mollis, Toxicodendron diversilobum, 

Trientalis borealis, Vancouveria hexandra

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Pseudotsuga menziesii (52), 

Quercus chrysolepis (26), Pinus lambertiana (9), 

Quercus kelloggii (6), Arbutus menziesii (4), 

Lithocarpus densiflorus (3), Cornus nutallii (t)

Standing dead trees: 1% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: <1/ac

Crown closure: 62%

Seedlings (% of stems): Alnus rubra (44), Quercus 

chrysolepis (38), Cornus nuttallii (5), Pseudotsuga 

menziesii (5), Lithocarpus densiflorus (4), Pinus 

lambertiana (2), Acer macrophyllum (2)

Density: 2,734/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 1.0 2.8 100

 Conifer litter 0.6 0.3 16

 Other 1.0 2.5 84

Duff 1.0 11.5 100

 Litter derived 1.0 11.5 100

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 1.9 14.3 100

Site location: N 42° 16′ 49.9′′ W 123° 29′ 50.5′′

Elevation: 1,720 ft Aspect: 350° Slope: 50%

Cover type: Douglas-fir–Tanoak–Pacific Madrone (SAF 234)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California Mixed 

Evergreen Forest

Spotted Owl Province: Oregon Klamath
SONH 16 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 79

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Alnus 

rubra

Quercus 

chrysolepis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Second most common

species

Quercus 

chrysolepis

Lithocarpus 

densiflorus

Quercus 

kelloggii

Pinus 

lambertiana

Pinus 

lambertiana

Quercus 

chrysolepis

Tree density (stems/ac) 520 136 49 31 19 235

 Live 520 136 49 26 19 230

 Dead 0 0 1 <1 0 5

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.2 5.3 14.6 29.0 44.3 13.1

 Live 1.2 5.3 14.6 29.0 44.3 13.1

 Dead -- -- 14.8 228.7 -- --

Avg height (ft) 11.1 26.4 70.4 144.8 164.9 60.3

 Live 11.1 26.4 70.4 144.5 164.9 60.3

 Dead -- -- 62.0 162.0 -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.7 6.6 24.0 63.5 40.0 19.3

 Live 2.7 6.6 23.8 63.1 40.0 19.3

 Dead -- -- 42.0 98.0 -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.4 9.8 31.2 76.8 51.0 25.2

Basal area (ft2/ac) 6.8 5.4 14.9 31.1 49.9 101.3

 Live 6.8 5.4 14.8 30.7 49.9 100.8

 Dead 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.5

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Toxicodendron 

diversilobum --

Apocynum 

androsaemifolium na

Second most

common species

Symphoricarpos 

mollis --

Polystichum 

munitum --

Coverage (%) 9 0 12 1

Avg height (ft) 1.2 -- 0.6 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 112 0 119 1

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.3 -- 0.3 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.4 -- 1.4 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.1 1.0 1.1 6 26 32

9.1 - 20.0 1.1 0.0 1.1 6 0 6

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 3.9 1.0 4.9 12 26 38
SONH 17 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 80

PS12 Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

Understory: Calamagrostis rubescens, Galium 

triflorum, Holodiscus discolor, Mahonia nervosa, 

Rosa gymnocarpa, Symphoricarpos albus, Trillium 

ovatum

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Abies grandis (48), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (27), Pinus ponderosa (25)

Standing dead trees: 10% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 5/ac

Crown closure: 86%

Seedlings (% of stems): Abies grandis (87), Pseudotsuga 

menziesii (13)

Density: 268/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.6 1.7 100

 Conifer litter 0.6 1.7 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 1.6 21.5 100

 Litter derived 1.5 16.6 92

 Rotten wood 3.3 4.9 8

Total 2.2 23.2 100

Site location: N 47° 15′ 57.8′′ W 120° 42′ 03.4′′

Elevation: 2,860 ft Aspect: 124° Slope: 12%

Cover type: Pacific Douglas-fir (SAF 229)

Biophysical setting: East Cascades Mesic Montane 

Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Eastern Washington Cascades
SONH 17 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 81

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Abies 

grandis

Abies 

grandis

Abies 

grandis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pinus 

ponderosa

Abies 

grandis

Second most common

species -- --

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

grandis

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 34 72 72 45 3 196

 Live 34 66 57 40 3 170

 Dead 0 6 15 5 0 26

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.3 6.8 13.4 22.0 48.0 14.1

 Live 1.3 6.9 13.5 21.9 48.0 14.3

 Dead -- 5.4 12.8 23.3 -- 13.0

Avg height (ft) 8.0 43.9 62.8 110.2 153.3 70.1

 Live 8.0 45.0 76.1 117.5 153.3 77.1

 Dead -- 32.0 10.0 48.3 -- 22.3

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.5 3.3 6.2 22.5 67.2 11.1

 Live 1.5 3.2 6.2 20.1 67.2 10.6

 Dead -- 5.0 -- 61.0 -- 21.5

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.0 16.2 27.4 43.2 72.6 28.4

Basal area (ft2/ac) 0.3 4.8 18.3 31.5 9.5 64.1

 Live 0.3 4.6 15.0 28.0 9.5 57.1

 Dead 0.0 0.2 3.3 3.5 0.0 7.0

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Symphoricarpos

albus --

Galium 

triflorum

Calamagrostis

rubescens

Second most

common species

Rosa 

gymnocarpa

--

Trillium 

ovatum

--

Coverage (%) 1 0 1 1

Avg height (ft) 1.7 -- 0.4 0.8

Biomass (lbs/ac) 22 0 4 19

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 2.0 -- 2.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.3 -- 2.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.4 4.4 5.8 45 143 188

9.1 - 20.0 1.1 6.3 7.4 13 45 58

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 7.3 10.7 18.0 58 188 246
SONH 18 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 82

PS18 Winema NF

Understory: Calamagrostis rubescens, Chimaphila 

umbellata, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, Galium 

triflorum, Gaultheria shallon, Mahonia nervosa, 

Maianthemum racemosum, Rosa gymnocarpa, 

Trientalis borealis, Trillium ovatum

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Abies concolor (58), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (27), Abies magnifica (10), 

Pinus monticola (5)

Standing dead trees: 29% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 24/ac

Crown closure: 64%

Seedlings (% of stems): Unknown conifer (47), Abies 

concolor (38), Pseudotsuga menziesii (6), Pinus 

monticola (5), Abies magnifica (4)

Density: 2,935/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.3 0.9 92

 Conifer litter 0.3 0.9 92

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 1.7 18.6 75

 Litter derived 1.4 10.6 63

 Rotten wood 3.4 8.0 12

Total 1.8 19.5 92

Site location: N 42° 25′ 04.0′′ W 122° 11′ 27.2′′

Elevation: 4,755 ft Aspect: 40° Slope: 8%

Cover type: White fir (SAF 211)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California Mesic 

Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Eastern Oregon Cascades
SONH 18 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 83

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

concolor

Second most common

species

Pinus 

monticola

Abies 

magnifica --

Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 386 25 37 70 14 146

 Live 386 25 37 49 11 122

 Dead 0 0 0 21 3 24

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.2 6.4 12.8 30.0 44.2 22.9

 Live 1.2 6.4 12.8 31.5 44.3 21.9

 Dead -- -- -- 26.5 43.8 28.4

Avg height (ft) 8.5 29.0 52.4 129.7 138.4 93.7

 Live 8.5 29.0 52.4 137.0 162.5 91.7

 Dead -- -- -- 112.5 32.6 103.8

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.7 10.6 16.1 52.6 50.9 32.9

 Live 1.7 10.6 16.1 52.7 50.3 32.9

 Dead -- -- -- 23.0 73.0 54.8

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.7 13.5 19.6 53.6 54.6 35.2

Basal area (ft2/ac) 4.2 1.5 8.5 87.6 37.4 135.0

 Live 4.2 1.5 8.5 67.7 30.7 108.4

 Dead 0.0 0.0 0.0 19.9 6.7 26.6

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla

Chimaphila 

umbellata

Maianthemum 

racemosum

Calamagrostis

rubescens

Second most

common species

Mahonia 

nervosa

Gaultheria 

shallon

Galium 

triflorum --

Coverage (%) 18 12 3 3

Avg height (ft) 1.1 0.2 0.5 0.7

Biomass (lbs/ac) 567 52 18 4

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.4 -- 0.4 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.0 -- 1.0 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 1.3 -- 1.3 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 0.0 2.7 2.7 0 84 84

9.1 - 20.0 0.0 3.2 3.2 0 19 19

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 16.2 16.2 0 19 19

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 2.7 22.1 24.8 0 122 122
SONH 19 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 84

PS19 Deschutes NF

Understory: Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Chimaphila 

umbellata, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, Fragaria vesca, 

Goodyera oblongifolia

Trees (% of stems >4 in d.b.h.): Abies concolor (43), 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (41), Pinus contorta (8), Pinus 

ponderosa (8)

Standing dead trees: 4% of stems >20 in d.b.h.

Snags > 20 in d.b.h.: 2/ac

Crown closure: 72%

Seedlings (% of stems): Abies concolor (68), unknown 

conifer (23), Pseudotsuga menziesii (9)

Density: 369/ac

SITE INFORMATION

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

STAND INFORMATION

Depth

(in)

Loading

(tons/ac)

Constancy

(%)

Surface material 0.5 1.5 100

 Conifer litter 0.5 1.5 100

 Other -- 0.0 0

Duff 1.6 15.9 80

 Litter derived 1.6 15.9 80

 Rotten wood -- 0.0 0

Total 1.8 17.4 100

Site location: N 43° 33′ 01.9′′ W 121° 50′ 30.4′′

Elevation: 5,245 ft Aspect: 210° Slope: 15%

Cover type: White fir (SAF 211)

Biophysical setting: Mediterranean California Mesic 

Mixed Conifer Forest and Woodland

Spotted Owl Province: Eastern Oregon Cascades
SONH 19 SPOTTED OWL NESTING HABITAT 85

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height)

 4 in 4 - 9 in 9 - 20 in 20 - 40 in > 40 in > 4 in

Most common species Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Abies 

concolor

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Abies 

concolor

Second most common

species

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Pinus 

contorta

Pinus 

ponderosa --

Pseudotsuga 

menziesii

Tree density (stems/ac) 336 232 84 54 1

1

0

371

 Live 302 232 43 52 1 328

 Dead 34 0 41 2 0 43

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.0 6.5 13.4 30.8 51.0 11.7

 Live 1.9 6.5 13.1 30.9 51.0 11.3

 Dead 2.4 -- 13.7 29.3 -- 14.2

Avg height (ft) 10.8 42.1 83.5 119.4 129.0 62.9

 Live 11.0 42.1 84.4 119.8 129.0 60.2

 Dead 9.0 -- 82.5 107.4 -- 83.4

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.0 7.6 12.7 35.2 89.0 12.9

 Live 3.8 7.6 8.4 35.6 89.0 12.3

 Dead 6.0 -- 17.3 22.5 -- 17.5

Avg height to live crown (ft) 8.1 17.7 19.7 54.4 89.0 24.0

Basal area (ft2/ac) 9.6 14.1 21.4 72.3 1.9 109.7

 Live 8.4 14.1 10.6 70.5 1.9 97.1

 Dead 1.2 0.0 10.8 1.8 0.0 12.6

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Lifeform

Tall shrub Low shrub Forb Graminoid

Most common

species

Chrysolepis 

chrysophylla --

Fragaria 

vesca

--

Second most

common species

Chimaphila 

umbellata --

Goodyera 

oblongifolia --

Coverage (%) 12 0 trace 0

Avg height (ft) 1.1 -- 0.8 --

Biomass (lbs/ac) 901 0 trace 0

WOODY MATERIAL

Loading (tons/ac) Density (pieces/ac)

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total Sound Rotten Total

 0.25 0.9 -- 0.9 -- -- --

0.26 - 1.0 1.1 -- 1.1 -- -- --

1.1 - 3.0 2.6 -- 2.6 -- -- --

3.1 - 9.0 1.1 5.6 6.7 65 292 357

9.1 - 20.0 1.1 4.2 5.3 7 19 26

20.1 - 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

> 40.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0

Total 6.8 9.8 16.6 72 311 383
Wright, Clinton S.; Vihnanek, Robert E.; Restaino, Joseph C.; Dvorak, Jon E. 2012. Photo series 

for quantifying natural fuels. Volume XI: eastern Oregon sagebrush-steppe and northern spotted owl 

nesting habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-878. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 85 p.

Three series of photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings for sagebrush-steppe 

types that are ecotonal with grasses, western juniper, and ponderosa pine in eastern Oregon, and one 

series of photographs displays a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings for northern spotted owl 

nesting habitat in forest types in Washington and Oregon. Each group of photos includes inventory 

information summarizing vegetation composition, structure, and loading; woody material loading and 

density by size class; forest floor depth and loading; and various site characteristics. The natural fuels 

photo series is designed to help land managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in natural 

settings.

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, sagebrush-steppe, old-growth forest, 

greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, northern spotted owl, Strix occidentalis caurina, 

antelope bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata, big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga 

menziesii, grand fir, Abies grandis, Pacific silver fir, Abies amabilis, ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, 

western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, western juniper, Juniperus occidentalis, western redcedar, Thuja 

plicata, white fir, Abies concolor.