An Old-Growth Definition for Western Juniper Woodlands: Texas Ashe Juniper Dominated or Codominated Communities

Abstract

Old growth is widely acknowledged today as an essential part of managed forests, particularly on public lands. However, this concept is relatively new, evolving since the 1970's when a grassroots movement in the Pacific Northwest began in earnest to define old growth. In response to changes in public attitude, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, began reevaluating its policy regarding old-growth forests in the 1980's. Indeed, the ecological significance of old growth and its contribution to biodiversity were apparent. It was also evident that definitions were needed to adequately assess and manage the old-growth resource. However, definitions of old growth varied widely among scientists. To address this discrepancy and other old-growth issues, the National Old-Growth Task Group was formed in 1988. At the recommendation of this committee, old growth was officially recognized as a distinct resource by the Forest Service, greatly enhancing its status in forest management planning. The committee devised "The Generic Definition and Description of Old-Growth Forests" to serve as a basis for further work and to ensure uniformity among Forest Service Stations and Regions. Emphasis was placed on the quantification of old-growth attributes. At the urging of the Chief of the Forest Service, all Forest Service Stations and Regions began developing old-growth definitions for specific forest types. Because the Southern and Eastern Regions share many forest communities (together they encompass the entire Eastern United States), their efforts were combined, and a cooperative agreement was established with The Nature Conservancy for technical support. The resulting project represents the first large-scale effort to define old growth for all forests in the Eastern United States. This project helped bring the old-growth issue to public attention in the East. Definitions will first be developed for broad forest types and based mainly on published information and so must be viewed accordingly. Refinements will be made by the Forest Service as new information becomes available. This document represents 1 of 35 forest types for which old-growth definitions will be drafted. In preparing individual old-growth definitions, authors followed National Old-Growth Task Group guidelines, which differ from the standard General Technical Report format in two ways-the abstract (missing in this report) and the literature citations (listed in Southern Journal of Applied Forestry style). Allowing for these deviations will ensure consistency across organizational and geographic boundaries.

Fire in a sub-humid woodland: The balance of carbon sequestration and habitat conservation

“…In our study, the high correlation of Q. buckleyi to topographic slope was consistent with previous observation related to slope-associated soil processes and fire susceptibility (Fig. 4) (Diamond, 1997). Stands located in valley bottoms with thick soil layers may have access to seasonally sustained topographic moisture which reduces fire occurrence (Wood et al, 2011).…”

“…breviloba), post oak (Quercus stellata), and escarpment black cherry (Prunus serotina var. eximia) (Diamond, 1997;Gehlbach, 1988). The remnant mixed juniper-oak woodlands are critical habitat for the GCW which uses stringy, sloughed bark from mature Ashe's juniper exclusively for nesting material (USFWS, 1992;Pulich, 1976).…”

Slow recolonization of burned oak–juniper woodlands by Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei): Ten years of succession after crown fire

“…Historical accounts indicate that crown fires were likely a natural occurrence in Ashe juniper-oak woodlands and that fire restricted these communities to relatively protected slopes and canyons, as well as rocky areas with low fine fuel loads (Bray, 1904;Diamond, 1997). Our data suggest that infrequent, highseverity fires could have controlled the distribution of Ashe juniper, but not of most other woody species.…”

“…Crown fires were likely a natural, if infrequent, occurrence in these habitats, since they are often surrounded by frequently burned grasslands and savannas (Bray, 1904;Diamond, 1997).…”

Woody Vegetation Persistence and Disturbance in Central Texas Grasslands Inferred From Multidecadal Historical Aerial Photographs

“…Charring is apparent on many cut stumps within BCNWR, indicating either intentional burning or accidental fire carried by increased fine fuels following canopy clearing. Ashe's juniper, the dominant woody species for our study site, is a fire-sensitive, nonsprouting evergreen species (Wink and Wright 1973;Diamond 1997) and may require . 20 yr to recapture sites following intense fire (Reemts and Hansen 2008).…”