Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Response Of Grass Species To Tree Harvesting In Singleleaf Pinyon-Utah Juniper Stands, United States Department Of Agriculture, Forest Service

Forestry

Cover, yield, and nutrient concentrations of grasses were sampled on tree-harvested and nonharvested plots on north, west, and south aspects of a singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla)-Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) stand. Grass cover increased rapidly the first 2 years following tree harvest, but the rate of increase declined over the next 2 years. Grass yield varied among aspects and soil microsites on tree-harvested plots but not on the nonharvested plots where tree competition masked aspect and microsite effects. All grass species had greater yield and greater percentage nitrogen and phosphorus on harvested than on nonharvested plots. Low digestibility of some species …