Skip to main content

Table 3 General description of event types included in all models and their effects. Drought timing and effects based on Cook et al. 2004, and Stahle et al. 2007. Insect outbreak timing and effects based on Gates 1964, Hall 1965, Hsaio 1986, Speer et al. 2001, Speer and Jenson 2003, and N.L. Hampton (Idaho National Lab, unpublished manuscript). Pronghorn browsing effects based on Smith 1949, McArthur et al. 1988, Bilbrough and Richards 1993, and Hoffman and Wambolt 1996. Freezekill effects based on Hanson et al. 1982, Walser et al. 1990, and Hardy et al. 2001. Snow mold effects based on Sturges 1986 and 1989. Vole outbreak timing and effects based on Murray 1965, Frischknecht and Baker 1972, and Parmeter et al. 1987.

From: Potential Effects of Disturbance Types and Environmental Variability on Sagebrush-Steppe Community Dynamics

Event type

Timing

Effect

Transition to earlier phase?

Area limits?

Groups affected

Community phases affected

1. Stand-replacing fire

Random

Stand-replacing

Yes

No

All

All

2. Mosaic fire

Random

Thinning

No

No

All

All: WM, CM groups ES, MSO: WD, SD groups

3. Drought

100 yr to 200 yr

Thinning

No: MSO, LSO Yes: LSC

No

All

MSO, LSO, LSC

4. Insect outbreak

20 yr to 48 yr

Thinning

Yes

No

All

LSO, LSC

5. Pronghorn browsing

Random

Thinning

No

Yes: 25% of landscape

WD, SD

MSO, LSO, LSC

6. Freezekill

Random

Thinning

No: MSO Yes: LSO, LSC

Yes: 25% of landscape

CM

MSO, LSO, LSC

7. Snowmold

Random

Thinning

No: MSO Yes: LSO, LSC

Yes: 25% of landscape

CM

MSO, LSO, LSC

8. Voleoutbreak

4 yr to 5 yr

Thinning

No: MSOYes: LSO, LSC

Yes: 10% of landscape

CM

MSO, LSO, LSC

  1. Abbreviations: WM = Warm-Moist Group, CM = Cool-Moist Group, WD = Warm-Dry Group, SD = Shallow-Dry Group, ES = Early Seral Community Phase, MSO = Mid Seral Open community phase, LSO = Late Seral Open community phase, LSC = Late Seral Closed community phase.