STAND DESCRIPTION

Plot Name: Reference Stand 14 (Wildcat Mtn. R.N.A.)
Plot Size: 0.25 ha
Established: 1972
Remeasurements: 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991
Site Description
Latitude: 44.33
Longitude: 122.09
Elevation: 1430 m
Aspect: NW-NNW
Slope: 35 to 55%
Landform: concave backslope (slump headwall?) beneath the crest of a spur ridge
Soil Parent Material: alluvium-colluvium from gray and pink porphyritic flow rock with volcanic ash and pumice
Soil(s): Cryandepts and Cryochrepts
Plant Association: Abies amabilis-Tsuga mertensiana/Xerophyllum tenax
Age Class: Old-growth

Soils:

Soils are shallow, well drained, dark brown sandy loam. Depth to bedrock ranges from 50 to 70 cm. Amount of stones is highly variable, but quantities generally increase with soil depth.

General Stand Description:

RS 14 is a representative example of the ABAM-TSME/XETE habitat type. Species of all strata comform to the description of Dyrness et al. (1974). Xerophyllum tenax is the dominant understory species, though it is less abundant here than is stands described by Dyrness et al.
The tree layer of this stand is closed. It is composed of old Abies procera and middle-aged to young Tsuga mertensiana and Abies amabilis. The understory tree layer is dominated by Abies amabilis, though Tsuga mertensiana seedlings are abundant.
The tall shrub layer is patchy and of low diversity. Vaccinium membranaceum is the only common species. The herb layer is, by far, most important. It is dominated by a dense cover of Xerophyllum tenax. Other species are scattered and scarce. As is typical for high-elevation stands, the moss layer is nearly lacking. Total plant diversity in this stand is lower than in most other reference stands.
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, 1986-1991)
Net Bole Production: 3.0 Mg/ha/yr
Annual Mortality: 2.7 Mg/ha/yr
Percent of Trees Dying: Total-0.4%/yr