Vegetation Community Richness
Vegetation community richness measures the number and persistence of major native vegetation communities (associations) throughout the Tahoe Region. It is not a measure of plant species richness but it can be used to indicate whether a major vegetation community has been lost in the Region. Climate, elevation, soils, aspect, geomorphology, interspecies competition, and wildlife are natural influences on pattern and expression of vegetation communities in the Tahoe Region. Wildfires, fire suppression activities, and unmanaged recreation also influence the distribution and structure of vegetation communities. Policies and ordinances for the conservation of Tahoe’s native vegetation communities have been adopted in the TRPA Regional Plan and are implemented through the permitting process. In addition, the Environmental Improvement Program has a forest restoration program.
Status
Evaluation Map
Vegetation distribution in the Tahoe Region.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- At or Somewhat Better Than Target
- Trend
- Little or No Change
- Confidence
- Moderate
Applicable Standard
VP3) Maintain the existing species richness of the Basin by providing for the perpetuation of the following plant associations [9 vegetation associations]:
• Yellow Pine Forest: Jeffrey pine, white fir, incense cedar, sugar pine.
• Red Fir Forest: red fir, Jeffrey pine, Lodgepole pine, Western white pine, Mountain
hemlock, Western juniper.
• Subalpine Forest: Whitebark pine, Mountain hemlock, Mountain mahogany.
• Shrub Assocition: Greenleaf and Pinemat manzanita, Tobacco brush, Sierra
chinquapin, Huckleberry oak, Mountain whitethorn.
• Sagebrush Scrub Vegetation: Basin sagebrush, Bitterbrush, Douglas chaenactis.
• Deciduous Riparian: Quaking aspen, Mountain alder, Black cotton-wood, Willow.
Meadow Associations (Wet and Dry Meadow): Mountain squirrel tail, Alpine
gentian, Whorled penstemon, Asters, Fescues, Mountain brome, Corn lilies, Mountain
bentgrass, Hairgrass, Marsh marigold, Elephant heads, Tinker's penney, Mountain Timothy,Sedges, Rushes, Buttercups.
• Wetland Associations (Marsh Vegetation): Pond lilies, Buckbean, Mare's tail,
Pondweed, Common bladderwort, Bo?le sedge, Common spikerush.
• Cushion Plant Association (Alpine Scrub): Alpine phlox, Dwarf ragwort, Draba.
Key Points
- The nine major native vegetation communities measured are still present in the Tahoe Region, and TRPA has adopted standards to prevent the elimination of a vegetation type.
- During the most recent reporting period (2015 to 2019), the only significant disturbance was the 176-acre Emerald Fire.
Delivering and Measuring Success
EIP Action Priorities
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Restore Native Vegetation and Forest Communities
The primary activities in this EIP action priority include reforestation and replanting after destructive fires to protect and restore native forest species.
Example EIP Projects
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Angora Fire Long Term Restoration: Aspen Planting
This project completed by the USDA Forest Service, restored riparian hardwood and understory vegetation in burned areas along riparian corridors and meadow edges in the Angora burn area.