Vegetation structure in old-growth stands in the Coram Research Natural Area in northwestern Montana
By: Caryl L. Elzinga, Raymond C. Shearer.
Contributors: Shearer, Raymond C.; Intermountain Research Station (Ogden, Utah)
Series: General technical report INT -- GTR-364; General technical report INT -- 364.
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Ogden, UT
Language: eng
Number of pages: 22
Subjects: Old growth forests -- Montana -- Coram Research Natural Area; Plant communities -- Montana -- Coram Research Natural Area; Western larch -- Montana -- Coram Research Natural Area; Douglas fir -- Montana -- Coram Research Natural Area; Research natural areas -- Montana
Description: Forest stand structure, understory composition, and tree seedling composition are described for eight permanent tenth-hectare plots established in Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir, western larch, and interior Douglas-fir forest cover types in northwestern Montana. Sites have been protected as examples of old-growth stands since the establishment of the Coram Research Natural Area in 1937. Plot data clearly illustrate a successional trend toward shade-tolerant conifers, placing old-growth stands at risk of loss from succession or catastrophic fire. Management issues associated with use of prescribed fire to maintain old-growth characteristics in natural areas are discussed.
Notes: Cover title.

"August 1997."

Gift of Rich Fonda.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 19-20).