Plan Components [144752]
Section - Page:
Section:
Region:
R4: Intermountain
National Forest:
Ashley (2024)
Alternative:
Plan Direction:
Vegetation management in conifer stands should retain coarse woody debris at the completion of management activities for soil ecological function and wildlife. Downed wood maintains soil carbon, organic matter, fertility, and moisture and supports multiple soil organisms. Coarse woody debris is important for the feeding, denning, and cover needs of wildlife. Where available, post-treatment site conditions should include various sizes of coarse woody debris (minimum of 3 inches in diameter) distributed over 40 percent or more of the project area. Post-treatment sites should include logs at least 8 feet in length with diameters that are representative of the conifer stand being treated. Coarse woody debris levels are expected to vary due to risk to highly valued resources or assets from hazardous fuel conditions and the site-specific prescriptions for downed wood retention. Outside of highly valued resources or assets, the required amounts of coarse woody debris levels are displayed in table 1.
Table 1. Minimum coarse woody debris levels to retain on site
Conifer Coarse Woody Min # of Down Min Down Log
Vegetation Debris (Tons Logs per 10 Acres Size (Mid-Point
Type per 10 Acres) (at least 8 Feet Diameter)*
in Length)
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Ponderosa pine 20–50 30 12 inches
Lodgepole pine 50–100 50 8 inches
Douglas-fir 50–100 50 12 inches
Mixed conifer 100–150 50 12 inches
Engelmann spruce 100–150 50 12 inches
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Sources: Forest Service et al. 1998; Forest Service 2000.
*If size is not available, use largest size on the site.
Table 1. Minimum coarse woody debris levels to retain on site
Conifer Coarse Woody Min # of Down Min Down Log
Vegetation Debris (Tons Logs per 10 Acres Size (Mid-Point
Type per 10 Acres) (at least 8 Feet Diameter)*
in Length)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ponderosa pine 20–50 30 12 inches
Lodgepole pine 50–100 50 8 inches
Douglas-fir 50–100 50 12 inches
Mixed conifer 100–150 50 12 inches
Engelmann spruce 100–150 50 12 inches
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Sources: Forest Service et al. 1998; Forest Service 2000.
*If size is not available, use largest size on the site.
Type:
Guideline
Page:
12
Doc ID:
FW-GD-SOIL 03
Table:
Plan Images (e.g., maps, tables, etc.):
Amendment Date:
Keywords