Pacific Southwest Research Station

Publications and Products

Research Paper

Title: Snag densities in old-growth stands on the Gasquet ranger district, Six Rivers national forest, California

Author: Jimerson, Thomas M.

Date: 1989

Source: Res. Pap. PSW-RP-196. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p

Station ID: RP-PSW-196

Description: Baseline levels for densities of snags (standing dead trees) were determined in undisturbed old-growth stands on the Gasquet Ranger District. Six Riven National Forest, California. Snag species, number, diameter at breast height (d.b.h.), height, cavity type, cavity use, decay class, and snag origin were recorded on 317 plots over a 2-year period. The 2121 snags recorded consisted of Pseudotsuga menziesii (36 percent), Abies concolor (29 percent), Abics magnifica var. shastenis (7 percent), Pinus lambertiana (4 percent), Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (6 percent), hardwoods (10 percent), and other conifers combined (7 percent). Snags were categorized as large, medium or small. Large snags were characterized as snags ≥ 20 inches d.b.h. and ≥ 50 feet tall, the medium snags as snags ≥ 20 inches d.b.h. and 20-50 feet tall and the small snags as all other snags > 5 inches d.b.h. and 1 foot tall that did not qualify as large or medium snags. The snag densities for each category were then determined for each of the following conifer series: Lithocarpus densiflora/Pseudotsuga menziesii, Chamaecyparis lawsomina, Abies concolor and the Abies magnifica var. shastensis. The snag densities for all four series combined in each category were 2.07 large snags/acre, 1.94 medium snags/acre and 20.67 small snags/acre.

Key Words: snags, old-growth, forest management, California, Pacific Northwest

View and Print this Publication (1.56 MB)

Citation

Jimerson, Thomas M. 1989. Snag densities in old-growth stands on the Gasquet ranger district, Six Rivers national forest, California. Res. Pap. PSW-RP-196. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p.