Spatial and temporal dynamics of conifer expansion in southwest Montana
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Date
2022
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Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture
Abstract
Since the mid-19th century, pinyon-juniper woodlands in western North America have experienced an expansion in range and density and a corresponding degradation in the provision of ecological goods and services including forage production, watershed function, biological diversity, and habitat values. While this is well-documented in other systems, there is little information characterizing shifts in tree range and abundance within the northern extent of these juniper and pine woodlands. The purpose of this research project was twofold: 1) identify and improve understanding of Rocky Mountain juniper and limber pine age distribution and compare these data to other systems, and 2) evaluate understory dynamics along the gradient of woodland development to assess impacts to understory species composition and abundance, as tree densities and range increase. We aged 278 trees across 38 plots in southwest Montana. We recorded soil moisture throughout the growing season (May-July), aspect, elevation, soil texture, herbaceous production and diversity, and tree density and canopy cover from 2019-2021. Greater than 95% of all trees were under 100 years old and the oldest tree (juniper) was 247 years old. Across the study site, limber pine was younger than Rocky Mountain juniper and appeared to prefer different sites. Maximum and mean juniper age was higher on dry sites with high sand content and lower on moist sites with low sand content in the top 15cm of the soil profile. Understory shrub and cool-season perennial grass cover was negatively influenced by heavy tree canopy cover on southwest to southeast aspects. The results from this study indicate 1) limber pine and Rocky Mountain juniper generally occupy different sites, 2) juniper and pine stand age is lower on north facing aspects with coarse soils and higher soil moisture content in late spring and early summer. Currently, increasing conifer dominance on north facing aspects appears to minimally impact cool-season perennial grass cover and production. Comparatively, increasing conifer dominance on south facing slopes may reduce cool-season perennial grass and shrub cover and production. We recommend the inclusion of these findings, as land managers seek to sustain delivery of necessary ecological goods and services.