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This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Errors identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. Ecology and Management of Pinyon-Juniper Communities Within the Interior West: Overview of the "Resource Values Session" of the Symposium James E. Bowns Abstract-This paper summarizes 17 excellent, detailed papers texture, color, and fragrance. Markets still need to be devel­ presented during the section of the symposium on the resource oped for these products. values of the pinyon-juniper woodlands. James E. Bowns captures Cement board can be made with cement, wood fiber, and the salient points of each paper, a formidable task that required that water. It is fire resistant, relatively unaffected by water, and most of the detail be left out. The reader is encouraged to read the can be worked like particle board. complete papers for additional details. Charcoal can be made from all species of pinyon and juniper; however, more dense woods such as gambel oak are superior. Charcoals made from pinyon and juniper were used as smelter fuel in early mining operations. Past, Present, and Potential Uses of Although some species ofjuniper have proven satisfactory Pinyon-Juniper for pulp, it produces low yields. Other problems are that the pulp is too difficult to bleach for white paper, too weak for Pinyon-juniper species are a sizable wood fiber resource unbleached high-grade bag and wrapping paper, and too for products that can be made from smaller, irregular stems soft for corrugating board. Economic feasibility for pulping and those that can capitalize on the unique physical and pinyon-juniper in the region is questionable. chemical characteristics of these species. Pinyon wood contains large quantities of oleoresin or gum. Firewood obtained from pinyon andjuniper has been used Products obtained from the resin include spirit, linseed oil, longer and more extensively than any other product. This is tung oil varnishes, ester gum, and zinc resinate. The Zuni still the main fuel in many rural areas as well as urban use Indians use the resin for an antiseptic, pottery glaze, and for in wood burning stoves and fireplaces. These species have burning in religious ceremonies. excellent fuel wood characteristics of heat content, ignition, Juniper woods contain large quantities of oily fragrant flaming, and fragrance. extractives rich in cedrol and associated essential oils. Other Juniper posts have historically been used because of their compounds should include terpene and sesquiterpene. J uni­ easy access and natural durability. A good post can last 60 per foliage also contains fragrant oily extractives. years, and the diameter ofthe heartwood is the determining Other important products include pine nuts and Christ­ criterion for durability. Juniper is also used for stub posts in mas trees. Nut production is highly variable from area to power and telephone lines and highway guard rails. Young area and year to year, which ca uses problems for nut brokers and intermediate aged stands provide the best posts. Pinyon and processors. Pinyon Christmas trees are favored by many is not favored for posts because they are not of suitable form residents of the Interior West. The single needle pinyon is or durability. generally favored because it is more symmetrical. Pinyon andjuniper and not widely used for sawn products because of the poor growth form and small size. Other problems include high wood density and grit in the bark that Role of Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands causes excess saw wear and resin build up. in Aboriginal Societies Railroad ties and mine timbers are some of the usable products and are superior to those obtained from local Resources such as food, shelter, tool construction, tinder, softwoods. Furniture and novelty items (book ends, lamp and preferred settlement locations are available in the bases, clocks, jewelry boxes, and small chests) capitalize on pinyon-juniper woodlands. These woodlands provided ab­ the unique fragrance, color, and grain patterns of these original peoples some of the most basic raw materials for woods. sustaining life. Particle board can be made from both pinyon andjuniper. Juniper is somewhat better because of its specific gravity, Food Pine nuts were one ofthe most important foods of the early In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Stevens, Richard, comps. 1999. Proceedings: inhabitants ofthe Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. These ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the Interior nuts were gathered in large quantities and were considered West; 1997 September 15-18; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT: U.S. the single most important food species where they occurred. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. The nuts are high in both protein and fats, the proportions James E. Bowns is Range Ecologist, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT 84720. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999 157 varying among species. The fat content exceeds that of choco­ ranked second in percentage of obligate and semiobligate late and contains all 20 essential amino acids. Nuts provide species, third in total number of individuals counted, and tryptophan, which is deficient in diets of corn farmers. fourth in species richness and diversity. Only riparian areas Nut production varies from year to year, area to area, and had a higher percentage of obligate or semi obligate species. age of the tree stand. Pinus monophylla is more productive Of seven upland forest habitats studied, pinyon-juniper and predictable than P. edulis. A casual relationship has been ranked second in total individual birds and third in species proposed between the unpredictability of pinyon pine nuts richness and diversity. In general, the number ofspecies and with the high residential mobility of the Great Basin people. individuals tended to decrease with increasing elevation. Nuts were harvested in the early fall at about the time of Consideration of more than simply the number of species the first frost and eaten raw or toasted, hulled, winnowed, is important because an area that supports· a few rare and ground into paste for making a pine nut soup or gruel. species can be as important as one that supports many Soup was sometimes mixed with meat to add flavor and common species. Navajos made nut butter, which was spread on corn cakes. Studies show that chaining can negatively affect the Nuts were stored in pits or other storage facilities that abundance of cavity nesters, timber gleaners, aerial forag­ were lined with rocks, grass, or juniper bark and covered ers, and species that forage in or next to the foliage. Birds with bark, branches, dirt, and more rocks. This kind of that nest or forage on the ground use both treated and storage ensured that the nuts would tast at least all winter. untreated areas. Woodland treatments are not necessarily Juniper "berries" were occasionally used for food. Apaches bad for birds, and creating a mosaic of seral stages provides ate them fresh or pounded them for bread or juniper tea. the best balance of habitat features sought by birds. Shrub­ Utes ate the pulp fresh or dried, or used them as an ingredi­ dependent and edge-associated species benefit from well­ ent in bread or stews. Great Basin people used juniper designed treatments. Sites with high edge-to-interior ratios "berries" sparingly, but they were occasionally eaten in the should be selected, and more trees should be left standing fall and winter after they were boiled. near the edge. This will add structural complexity and thus compensate for the loss of overstory. Managers should also consider habitat values of mature Medicinal Uses woodlands when meeting watershed and forage production The use of pinyon as medicine was limited, but the pitch objectives. The best option appears to be a landscape de­ and gum were boiled in water and drunk to purge worms and signed to include functional patches of all seral stages. other parasites. Juniper leaves were used in teas for the In another study, 53 bird species, using pinyon-juniper treatment of colds and coughs. woodlands for breeding, were observed on seven pinyon­ juniper sites. Only two species, blue-gray gnatcatcher and black-throated gray warbler, occurred on all seven sites, and Construction and Other Uses 77 percent were neotropical migrants. Researchers conclude that pinyon-juniper forests are important for the continued Pinyon and juniper were used for house construction, breeding success ofthese two species and the gray flycatcher. hogans, sweathouses, ramadas, fences, corrals, drying racks, Pinyon-juniper forests provide important food, cover, and and storage facilities. These trees were also used for fire nesting habitat for at least nine neotropical migrants, and material or kindling wood. the pinyon-juniper type supports a greater variety of birds J uni per bark was an integral element in roof construction, than had been anticipated. However, the total number of fiber for mats, diapers, menstrual pads, and cushioning and species depending entirely on this type for breeding is low protective lining for storage pits. compared to other habitat types. Pitch was used to line basketry water jugs as a sealant, as Sagegrouse depend upon sagebrush steppe throughout glue for ceramic vessels, and as a mastic for attaching their distribution. The lack of fine fuels and more mineral projectile points or stone tools. soil has generally decreased fire frequency, although inten­ sity has increased in some areas. Sagegrouse populations have declined in much of their Wildlife former range, and these declines are most notable where Habitat values ofpinyon-juniper woodlands often receive habitat limitations including loss, fragmentation, and deg­ little consideration because they appear so extensive that radation of sagebrush ecosystems have occurred. there seems little possibility of exhausting the supply, and Some sites have been treated with the brush beating of the aridity and lack of vegetation diversity seems inconsis­ short (less than 1 m) pinyon and juniper trees, sagebrush, tent with highly productive wildlife habitat.

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