Major Douglas Fir Habitat Types Of Central Idaho

"Discusses fire as an ecological factor for forest habitat types occurring in central Idaho. Identifies "Fire Groups" of habitat types based on fire's role in forest succession. Considerations for fire management are suggested."

This report summarizes available information on fire as an ecological factor for forest habitat types occurring in central Idaho. The forest habitat types described for central Idaho by Steele and others (1981) are grouped into 11 Fire Groups based primarily on fire's role in forest succession. For each Fire Group, information is presented on (1) the relationship of major tree species to fire, (2) fire effects on undergrowth, (3) fire effects on wildlife, (4) forest fuels, (5) the natural role of fire, (6) fire and forest succession, and (7) fire management considerations. The Fire Groups are described as follows: Zero - Miscellaneous special habitats; One - Dry limber pine habitat types; Two - Warm, dry habitat types that support open forests of ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir; Three - Warm, moist ponderosa pine habitat types and warm, dry Douglas-fir habitat types usually dominated by ponderosa pine. Four - Cool, dry Douglas-fir habitat types; Five - Moist Douglas-fir habitat types; Six - Grand fir habitat types; Seven - Cool habitat types usually dominated by lodgepole pine; Eight - Dry, lower subalpine habitat types; Ninw - Wet or moist, lower subalpine habitat types; Ten - Cold, upper subalpine and timberline habitat types.