Site Factors Affecting Pinyon-juniper Occurrencein The Capulin Volcano Field Ofrnnortheastern New Mexico

摘要

The Capulin Volcano Field covers approximately 207,192 km2 in Union and Colfax counties in northeastern New Mexico and southernmost Las Animas county in Colorado. The geology of the area is characterized by Pleistocene and Holocene extrusive volcanic activity through sandstone, shale and limestone of the Late Cretaceous Period (Trauger & Kelly 1987). Average annual precipitation and temperature for the area is 45.2 cm. and 9.6℃ respectively (McCurdy 1994). Although, much work has been published on pinyon (Pinus spp.) - juniper (Juniperus spp.), little data have been reported on pinyon-juniper stands from the Capulin Volcano Field. Species studied in this investigation include pinyon (Pinus edulis Voss.), one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma Sarg.) and Rocky Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum Lemmon.) [SAF Cover Type 239 (Larson 1980)]. Although not timber producing, these stands supply posts, fuelwood, and pinyon nuts. They provide nesting platforms for birds and edge and cover for wildlife and livestock.