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Freel Peak Cushion Plant Community

Cushion plants have a low, matted growth form that is typical of high elevation environments. The main occurrence of this plant community type in the Region is at elevations above 9,000 feet on the cluster of peaks around Freel Peak. The Freel Peak cushion plant community supports a variety of uncommon plant species, including one of the main population centers of Tahoe draba. Climate change is considered to be the greatest threat to this alpine community. The rocky, loose, often steep soils of this area are also highly susceptible to erosion impacts from trails and trampling and recreational use has the potential to degrade the community. Projects to improve signage around populations aim to reduce recreation impacts. The Freel Peak cushion plant community is monitored by the USDA Forest Service.

Freel Peak Cushion Plant Community - photo by Tim Berger.jpg

Status

freel peak chart.png
Mean change in species frequency of occurrence between 2006 and 2011 in eight summit area sections by thermic rank on the three summit areas of Freel Peak (FES = Freel East Summit, FPK = Freel Peak, FSW = Freel Southwest Summit) where GLORIA (Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments) plots were established. Thermic rank is based on upper elevation plant elevation zones for the northern Sierra Nevada, based on NRCS land resource units (LRUs): 1. alpine, 2. subalpine, 3. upper montane, 4. mid montane, 5. lower montane. Negative changes in frequency indicate a loss or decline, and positive values indicate an increase in frequency.

2019 Evaluation

Status
Somewhat Worse Than Target
Trend
Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
Confidence
Low
View Evaluation

Applicable Standard

VP17: Provide for the non-degradation of the natural qualities of any plant community that is uncommon to the Basin or of exceptional scientific, ecological, or scenic value. This threshold shall apply to the Freel Peak Cushion Plant community.

Key Points

  • This Freel Peak cushion plant community has not been monitored since 2014. Therefore, there is no updated data available since the last threshold evaluation.
  • Prior monitoring identified declines in the community that was likely the result of changing climate.