University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2005 Development and evaluation of successional pathways for SIMPPLLE: Simulating vegetation along the Colorado Front Range Thad E. Jones The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Jones, Thad E., "Development and evaluation of successional pathways for SIMPPLLE: Simulating vegetation along the Colorado Front Range" (2005). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 6881. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/6881 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature* Yes, I grant permission xf No, I do not grant permission _____ Author's Signature:___^ Date: \L\ Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. 8/98 DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF SUCCESSIONAL PATHWAYS FOR SIMPPLLE: SIMULATING VEGETATION ALONG THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE By Thad E. Jones B.S., University of Montana, 1997 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Forestry The University of Montana March 2005 Approved by; Dean, Graduate School 3 ^ (Q> ^ O Date UMI Number: EP37682 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI OisMwtatkMi Publishing UMI EP37682 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuesf ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 - 1346 Jones, Thad E. M.S., March 2005 Forestry Development and Evaluation of Successional Pathways for SIMPPLLE: Simulating vegetation along the Colorado Front Range Committee Chair: Donald J. Bedunali>^Çt^ Fire exclusion has altered fire regimes and forest stand structure and composition throughout the Colorado Front Range. Past logging and livestock grazing activities have also created a complex and variable landscape. These changes limit land managers ability to identify and prioritize fuel reduction treatments for vegetation types at high risk of extreme fire events. SIMPPLLE is a landscape dynamics simulation system used to identify and prioritize fuel treatments to reduce extreme fire risk. I use my work in developing successional pathways for the Colorado Front Range, specifically non-forest species logic, as my professional paper. I describe SIMPPLLE, the development of successional pathways and test the validity of SIMPPLLE simulations on two non-forest communities. Successional pathway development for non-forest species was developed from a combination of geographic information system vegetation data, habitat type classifications, scientific literature, and previous model versions, resulting in functional g roupings of low cover, high cover, and alpine/riparian graminoids. Shrubs and woodland species were placed in 20 functional groups. SIMPPLLE simulations were used to assess successional growth and disturbance response of mountain big sagebrush {Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyand) and Wyoming big sagebrush {Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) communities. Simulation results showed that non-forest species logic requires further modification. Structural development in some communities does not follow pathway logic (i.e., medium structured shrub communities revert to small structure without disturbance). In addition, disturbance response of sagebrush species does not reflect expected response. The Succession Regeneration model component dramatically decreases sagebrush canopy cover regardless of fire suppression activities, and target species fail to re-establish following disturbance. Furthermore, adjacent forests invade a majority of the target communities within the first decade. Fire suppression and wildfire simulations excluding the Succession Regeneration component show fire return intervals for mountain big sagebrush are supported by the literature, while return intervals for Wyoming big sagebrush are conflicting. Simulation results excluding the Succession Regeneration component show increases in total sagebrush acreage regardless of treatment which is not supported by sagebrush literature. Modification of the Succession Regeneration model component will eliminate increases in acreage with fire suppression and match documented species response. 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Don Bedunah. Your friendship, encouragement, and insight have been invaluable. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee, Earl Willard and Jeffrey Gritzner, for their support, ideas, and interest in this project. I would like to thank Jimmie Chew for the unchecked energy and expertise you shared with me throughout this project and the wonderfully talented SIMPPLLE development team for their guidance and technical support. I am grateful for the many resources provided by the Rocky Mountain Research Station. Special thanks go to my partner and best friend, Patricia. I can not begin to tell you what your support has meant to me throughout this process. I would also like to thank my friends and family for their encouragement when it seemed like I might never finish. Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................ni TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................................vii LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................... xii LIST OF APPENDICES...................................................................................................xiv LIST OF MAPS................................................................................................................... XV LIST OF ABBREVIATIOINS........................................................................................ xvi INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 1 Background ...........................................................................................................................6 Landscape Change in the Rocky Mountains............................................................ 6 Landscape Dynamic Simulation Systems..................................................................9 Model Overview ......................................................................................................... 14 SECTION ONE: Pathway Development......................................................................... 19 METHODS .......................................................................... 20 Study A rea ......................................................................................................................... 21 Ecological Stratification ...................................................................................................23 Plains...........................................................................................................................24 Foothills ...................................................................................................................... 24 Lower Montane .......................................................................................................... 25 Upper Montane .......................................................................................................... 26 Subalpine.................................................................................................................... 26 Alpine...........................................................................................................................27 Geographic Information System ......................................................................................27 Legal Values ...................................................................................................................... 28 Habitat Types and Associations ....................................................................................... 30 Northern Habitat Types .............................................................................................31 Southern Habitat types ..............................................................................................42