Document Type
Report
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Range Field Day 2008 Progress Report
Publisher
Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station
Publication Date
2008
First Page
54
Last Page
61
Abstract
Piñon and juniper woodlands in the cold desert of the Intermountain West occupy over 44.6 million acres (Miller and Tausch 2001). These woodlands are commonly associated with sagebrush communities forming a mosaic of shrub-steppe and woodland across the region. Numerous studies have documented the recent expansion (since the late 1800’s) of these woodlands that has resulted in the replacement of shrub-steppe communities. Recent debate has challenged the degree of expansion in terms of percent of new areas occupied by trees and the increase in total population of piñon and juniper since the late 1800’s. Various interest groups have become concerned over the limited scientific evidence documenting the expansion of these conifers at a broad scale (in other words, landscapes or across entire woodlands) in the Intermountain Region. The fear of many groups is historic woodlands that occupied landscapes prior to Eurasian settlement in the late 1800’s are being burned, cut, and chained in the name of restoration.
Recommended Citation
Miller, R., J. Ratchford, and D. Johnson. 2008. A history of woodland dynamics in the Owyhee's: encroachment, stand closure, understory dynamics, and tree biomass. Pages 54-61 In: Range Field Day 2008 Progress Report, Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA Agricultural Research Service, Special Report 1085.
Comments
Special Report 1085