Packrat Middens from Canyon de Chelly, Northeastern Arizona: Paleoecological and Archaeological Implications

1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio L. Betancourt ◽  
Owen K. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Plant Macrofossils ◽  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Chaco Canyon ◽  
Limber Pine ◽  
Pollen Diagrams ◽  
Terminal Pleistocene

In western North America, pollen data from highland lakes are often used to reconstruct vegetation on the adjacent lowlands. Plant macrofossils and pollen from packrat middens now provide a means to evaluate such reconstructions. On the basis of pollen diagrams from the Chuska Mountains, H. E. Wright, Jr., A. M. Bent, B. S. Hansen, and L. J. Maher, Jr., ((1973), Geological Society of America Bulletin, 84 , 1155–1180) arrived at conservative estimates for late Pleistocene depression of highland conifers. In their interpretation, a proposed slight depression of 500 m for lower tree line precluded expansion of Pinus ponderosa into elevations now in desertscrub. Instead, it was suggested that pinyon pine and Artemisia occupied the lowland plateaus. Packrat midden records on either side of the Chuskas fail to verify this model. Early Holocene middens from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, and a terminal Pleistocene midden from Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, show that blue spruce, limber pine, Douglas fir, dwarf juniper, and Rocky Mountain juniper expanded at least down to 1770 m elevation Neither Colorado pinyon nor ponderosa pine was found as macrofossils in the middens. Artemisia pollen percentages are high in the terminal Pleistocene midden, as they are in the Chuska Mountain pollen sequence, suggesting regional dominance by sagebrush steppe. Of 38 taxa identified, only 3 are shared by middens dated 11,900 and 3120 yr B.P. from Canyon de Chelly, indicating a nearly complete turnover in the flora between the late Pleistocene and late Holocene. Although corn was previously thought to have been introduced to the Colorado plateaus after 2200 yr B.P., the midden dated 3120 yr B.P. contains pollen of corn and other indicators of incipient agriculture.

Historical (1860) forest structure in ponderosa pine forests of the northern Front Range, Colorado

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1462-1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Brown ◽  
Michael A. Battaglia ◽  
Paula J. Fornwalt ◽  
Benjamin Gannon ◽  
Laurie S. Huckaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Land Use Impacts ◽  
Quadratic Mean ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Northern Colorado

Management of many dry conifer forests in western North America is focused on promoting resilience to future wildfires, climate change, and land use impacts through restoration of historical patterns of forest structure and disturbance processes. Historical structural data provide models for past resilient conditions that inform the design of silvicultural treatments and help to assess the success of treatments at achieving desired conditions. We used dendrochronological data to reconstruct nonspatial and spatial forest structure at 1860 in fourteen 0.5 ha plots in lower elevation (∼1900–2100 m) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) forests across two study areas in northern Colorado. Fires recorded by trees in two or more plots from 1667 to 1859 occurred, on average, every 8–15 years depending on scale of analysis. The last fire recorded in two or more plots occurred in 1859. Reconstructed 1860 stand structures were very diverse, with tree densities ranging from 0 to 320 trees·ha−1, basal areas ranging from 0.0 to 17.1 m2·ha−1, and quadratic mean diameters ranging from 0.0 to 57.5 cm. All trees in 1860 were ponderosa pine. Trees were significantly aggregated in 62% of plots in which spatial patterns could be estimated, with 10% to 90% of trees mainly occurring in groups of two to eight (maximum, 26). Current stands based on living trees with a diameter at breast height of ≥4 cm are more dense (range, 175–1010 trees·ha−1) with generally increased basal areas (4.4 to 23.1 m2·ha−1) and smaller trees (quadratic mean diameters ranging from 15.7 to 28.2 cm) and contain greater proportions of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum Sarg.). This is the first study to provide detailed quantitative metrics to guide restoration prescription development, implementation, and evaluation in these and similar ponderosa pine forests in northern Colorado.

scholarly journals Convergence of Evidence Supports a Chuska Mountains Origin for the Plaza Tree of Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-346
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Guiterman ◽  
Christopher H. Baisan ◽  
Nathan B. English ◽  
Jay Quade ◽  
Jeffrey S. Dean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Strontium Isotopes ◽  
Chaco Canyon ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
The West ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Great House ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

The iconic Plaza Tree of Pueblo Bonito is widely believed to have been a majestic pine standing in the west courtyard of the monumental great house during the peak of the Chaco Phenomenon (AD 850–1140). The ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) log was discovered in 1924, and since then, it has been included in “birth” and “life” narratives of Pueblo Bonito, although these ideas have not been rigorously tested. We evaluate three potential growth origins of the tree (JPB-99): Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, or a distant mountain range. Based on converging lines of evidence—documentary records, strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr), and tree-ring provenance testing—we present a new origin for the Plaza Tree. It did not grow in Pueblo Bonito or even nearby in Chaco Canyon. Rather, JPB-99 originated from the Chuska Mountains, over 50 km west of Chaco Canyon. The tree was likely carried to Pueblo Bonito sometime between AD 1100 and 1130, although why it was left in the west courtyard, what it meant, and how it might have been used remain mysteries. The origin of the Plaza Tree of Pueblo Bonito underscores deep cultural and material ties between the Chaco Canyon great houses and the Chuska landscape.

Fire-injured ponderosa pine provide a pulsed resource for bark beetles

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2022-2036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Davis ◽  
Sharon Hood ◽  
Barbara J. Bentz
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Dendroctonus Brevicomis ◽  
Brood Production ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Injury

Bark beetles can cause substantial mortality of trees that would otherwise survive fire injuries. Resin response of fire-injured northern Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) and specific injuries that contribute to increased bark beetle attack susceptibility and brood production are unknown. We monitored ponderosa pine mortality and resin flow and bark beetle colonization and reproduction following a prescribed fire in Idaho and a wildfire in Montana. The level of fire-caused tree injury differed between the two sites, and the level of tree injury most susceptible to bark beetle attack and colonization also differed. Strip-attacked trees alive 3 years post-fire had lower levels of bole and crown injury than trees mass attacked and killed by bark beetles, suggesting that fire-injured trees were less well defended. Brood production of western pine beetle ( Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte) did not differ between fire-injured and uninjured trees, although mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) brood production was low in both tree types, potentially due to competition with faster developing bark beetle species that also colonized trees. Despite a large number of live trees remaining at both sites, bark beetle response to fire-injured trees pulsed and receded within 2 years post-fire, potentially due to a limited number of trees that could be easily colonized.

Pruning Costs for Four Northern Rocky Mountain Species with Three Equipment Combinations

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin L. O'Hara ◽  
Darin A. Larvik ◽  
Narayanan I. Valappil
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Larix Occidentalis ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Motion Study ◽  
Grading Standards ◽  
The Cost

Abstract A time and motion study was conducted to determine the cost to prune ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), western larch (Larix occidentalis), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) with loppers, pole saws, and Power Pruners. Costs to prune up to 8 ft ranged from $0.61 to $2.35/tree, and from $2.34 to $6.42/tree to prune to 18 ft depending upon species, equipment, and wage assumptions. Pole saws were the recommended equipment based on cost, ease of use, and damage to trees. Multivariate models were unable to explain much variation in pruning time because of the confounding effects of so many variables. Results suggest more than three trees could be pruned to a height of 9 ft for the same cost as pruning one tree to 18 ft. Pruning more trees to a 9 ft height would therefore increase clearwood production overpruning fewer trees to 18 ft, but may necessitate some modification of current log grading standards. West. J. Appl. For. 10(2):59-65.

Fine woody fuel particle diameters for improved planar intersect fuel loading estimates in Southern Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine forests

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 780
Author(s):  
Emma Vakili ◽  
Chad M. Hoffman ◽  
Robert E. Keane
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Fuel Particle ◽  
Fuel Loading ◽  
Bootstrap Analysis ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Sampling Protocols ◽  
Loading Estimates

Fuel loading estimates from planar intersect sampling protocols for fine dead down woody surface fuels require an approximation of the mean squared diameter (d2) of 1-h (0–0.63 cm), 10-h (0.63–2.54 cm), and 100-h (2.54–7.62 cm) timelag size classes. The objective of this study is to determine d2 in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests of New Mexico and Colorado, USA in natural, partially harvested, and partially harvested and burned sites to improve fine woody fuel loading estimates. Resulting estimates were generally higher in the 1- and 10-h classes and lower in the 100-h classes when compared with previously published values from other regions. The partially harvested and burned values for 1- and 100-h classes were also significantly lower than in the other stand conditions. Using bootstrap analysis, it was determined that 35 samples would be sufficient to create an accurate estimate of d2 values.

scholarly journals Effects of Long-Term Recycled Wastewater Irrigation on Visual Quality and Ion Concentrations of Ponderosa Pine

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.L. Qian ◽  
J.M. Fu ◽  
J. Klett ◽  
S.E. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Rocky Mountain West ◽  
Mountain West

Abstract Recycled wastewater (RWW) has become a common water source for irrigating golf courses and urban landscapes. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is commonly used in urban landscape settings in the Rocky Mountain West. To evaluate the effects of RWW irrigation on quality and needle ion accumulations of ponderosa pine, eight landscape facilities near metropolitan Denver, CO, were selected for the experiment. Among these sites, four had been irrigated exclusively with domestic RWW [electrical conductivity (EC) = 0.84 dS/m] for 5, 6, 15, and 20 years, respectively. The other four with similar turf species, age ranges, and soil textures had been irrigated with surface water (EC = 0.23 dS/m). Ponderosa pines grown on sites irrigated with RWW exhibited 10 times higher needle burn symptoms than those grown on sites irrigated with surface water (33% vs. 3%). Tissue analysis indicated that ponderosa pine needles collected from sites receiving RWW exhibited 11 times greater Na+ concentration, 2 times greater Cl−, and 50% greater B concentrations than samples collected from the control sites. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the level of needle burn was largely influenced by leaf tissue Na+ concentration. Tissue Ca level and K/Na ratio were negatively associated with needle burn symptoms, suggesting that calcium amendment and K addition may help mitigate the needle burn syndrome in ponderosa pine caused by high Na+ in the tissue.

Allometric crown relations in three northern Idaho conifer species

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Monserud ◽  
John D Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Allometric Equation ◽  
Pinus Monticola ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Individual Branch ◽  
Northern Idaho

Allometric equations predicting individual branch and total crown leaf area, leaf mass, and branch wood mass were developed for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.), and western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don) on the Priest River Experimental Forest in northern Idaho. Whole crowns were weighed fresh in the field by crown quarter. Two antithetic random branches were sampled from each crown quarter, weighed fresh in the field, and returned to the laboratory for detailed analysis. Nonlinear weighted regression with the general allometric equation was used to estimate all parameters. For the branches, branch diameter and length, foliated length, and position in the crown explain 82-97% of the variation. Specific leaf area (leaf area/mass) differs significantly among species and increases with distance from the tree top. For whole trees, sapwood area at breast height, crown ratio and length, and crown competition factor (CCF) explain 94-99% of the variation. The assumption of linearity and constant ratio between leaf area and sapwood area held rather generally. Differences between two alternative estimators (branch summation vs. crown weighing) of total crown biomass and leaf area were not statistically significant. For stands, stand totals were estimated from the whole-tree equations and stand-inventory data. Generally, these stand estimates were intermediate between coastal forests west of the Cascades and drier forests in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountain crest.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physical Barriers to Protect Ponderosa Pine Seedlings from Pocket Gophers

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Pipas ◽  
Gary W. Witmer
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings ◽  
Medium Weight ◽  
Better Than

Abstract A 2 yr study on the Rogue River and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon evaluated physical barriers for protection of Pinus ponderosa seedlings against damage by Thomomys talpoides. Seedlings protected with one of three weights of: (1) plastic mesh tubing (Vexar®) or (2) sandpapertubing (Durite®) were evaluated against control seedlings. On the Rogue River sites, Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (62.6%), followed by the controls (59.1%), then Durite® seedlings (17.9%). Gophers were the primary cause of death for the Vexar® seedlings, versus desiccation for the Durite® seedlings. On the Mt. Hood sites, heavyweight Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (35.4%), medium-weight Durite® seedlings the lowest (2.7%). Seedling mortality caused by gophers was highest for controls (70.2%), followed by light-weight (62.2%) and heavy-weight (53.9%) Vexar® treatments. Overall survival was low (Rogue River = 42%, Mt. Hood = 19.8%). Growth was greatest for the control seedlings but only significantly greater than growth of Durite® seedlings on the Rogue River sites. Growth of seedlings was not compromised by the Vexar® tubing. Although neither type of tubing was highly protective, Vexar® tubes performed better than Durite® tubes. West. J. Appl. For. 14(3):164-168.

scholarly journals Germination, Establishment, and Mortality of Naturally Seeded Southwestern Ponderosa Pine

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Stein ◽  
Diana N. Kimberling
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Northern Arizona ◽  
Lepidopteran Larvae

Abstract Information on the mortality factors affecting naturally seeded conifer seedlings is becoming increasingly important to forest managers for both economic and ecological reasons. Mortality factors affecting ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings immediately following natural germination and through the following year were monitored in Northern Arizona. The four major mortality factors in temporal order included the failure of roots to establish in the soil (27%), herbivory by lepidopteran larvae (28%), desiccation (30%), and winterkill (10%). These mortality factors were compared among seedlings germinating in three different overstory densities and an experimental water treatment. Seedlings that were experimentally watered experienced greater mortality than natural seedlings due to herbivory (40%), nearly as much mortality due to the failure of roots to establish in the soil (20%), less mortality due to winterkill (5%), and no mortality due to desiccation. The seedling mortality data through time were summarized using survivorship curves and life tables. Our results suggest that managers should consider using prescribed burns to decrease the percentage of seedlings that die from failure of their roots to reach mineral soil and from attack by lepidopteran larvae. West. J. Appl. For. 18(2):109–114.

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