© 2003 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Diversity, complexity and interactions: an overview of Rocky Mountain forest ecosystems
James N. Long
Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife Sciences and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230, USA (FAKPB@cc.usu.edu) / Received October 17, 2002; accepted March 1, 2003; published online October 1, 2003
Summary
This overview of Rocky Mountain forest ecosystems characterizes some of the major types, processes and management issues in
the region. There are large ranges in edaphic conditions and striking environmental gradients, all interacting to influence
the distribution of species, the nature of communities and disturbance regimes. The discussion focuses on the central role
of disturbance and how understanding disturbance regimes influences the search for effective approaches to stewardship.
Keywords:
disturbance regimes, fire severity, forest management, reference condition, silviculture.
