Are human needs for ecosystem resource use and landscape occupancy being adequately accommodated?
WOODLANDS Biological Diversity • A decreased diversity in grasses and forbs has resulted from less frequent burning than the historic fire regime. • Herbivore use is above historic levels (prior to Territorial Period), resulting in decreased biotic and genetic diversity in native species. • Past land disturbances have permitted increases in introduction and establishment of exotic species. Integrity and Resilience • Soil erosion today is greater than in the past, resulting in decreased upland site productivity. • Soil infiltration rates are below historic levels, resulting in greater overland flows, higher peak flows, reduced length of base flows in intermittent streams, and more confinement of channels. • Some wildlife populations such as pronghorn have been isolated because of the construction of major highways. • Culling of dying, standing dead, and downed pinyon and juniper trees through fuelwood gathering and salvage operations has reduced available snags and downed logs needed by
