STAND DESCRIPTION

Plot Name: Reference Stand 12 (HJA)
Plot Size: 0.25 ha
Established: 1972
Remeasurements: 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1997
Site Descripton
Latitude: 44.23
Longitude: 122.12
Elevation: 1020 m
Aspect: W
Slope: 30%
Landform: uneven pediment footslope
Soil Parent Material: alluvium-colluvium and till(?) from andesite
Soil: Haplumbrepts, Carpenter Series
Plant Association: Abies amabilis/Vaccinium alaskaense/Cornus canadensis
Age class: Old-growth

Soils:

The soil profile at one location was described and sampled (see profile no. 90 in the HJA Soils Data Base). The surface horizons were gravelly sandy loam, with the subsoil being gravelly loam. In the surface gravel and cobbles made up about 45-55%, and amounts increased in the subsoil to 60%. Depth of the solum was about 90 cm. and the soil was well drained. The bulk density was low, only reaching 0.8 g/cc in the subsoil. Organic matter content was 5.7% in the surface horizon (A1) and 4.9% in the B2.

General Stand Description:

RS 12 is near modal for the ABAM/VAAL/COCA habitat type. A roadside location has led to some disturbance, but most of the stand characteristics agree with those discussed by Dyrness et al. (1974) for the ABAM/VAAL/COCA habitat type.
The tree layer of this dense stand is composed of mature, old-growth Pseudotsuga and Tsuga heterophylla. The understory trees are dominated Tsuga heterophylla. Abies amabilis and Thuja plicata are also present in the understory.
The tall shrubs are dominated by Acer circinatum, medium shrubs by Vaccinium alaskaense, and low shrubs by Berberis nervosa. Diversity is high with 18 shrub species, but the cover of the layer is low for species other than those mentioned.
The herb layer is dominated by Cornus canadensis and Clintonia uniflora. Linnaea borealis, Chimaphila umbellata, Smilacina stellata, Tiarella unifoliata, Viola sempervirens, Achlys triphylla, and Xerophyllum tenax are also common. Rhytidiopsis robusta is the dominant moss species with an average cover of 12.7%.
Stand Structure and Composition
Live Tree Data at Last Measurement
Coarse Woody Debris (measured in 1982):
Ecosystem and Population Dynamics (measurements for most recent interval, 1991 to 1997)
Net Bole Production: 11.1 Mg/ha/yr
Annual Mortality: 22.2 Mg/ha/yr
Percent of Trees Dying: Total-1.2%/yr (25% were uprooted)