percentage today is around 2%. These changes are due to several factors. Past 

 timber harvests removed some of the overstory serai species and not enough of 

 the shade tolerant canopy. The lack of larger openings in the canopy has 

 prevented serai regeneration from establishing. The lack of fire disturbance has 

 increased the amount of shade tolerant species in the overstory and understory. 



C. Age Class Distribution 



Table 3-4: Ashley Lake Age Class Distribution by Cover Type 



D. Old Growth 



As per the State Land Board's decision in February 2001, the DNRC adopted the 

 definition for old growth based on the number and size of large trees per acre and age of 

 those trees as noted in Old-Growth Forest Types of the Northern Region, by P. Green, J. 

 Joy, D. Sirucek, W. Hann, A. Zack, and B. Naumann (1992, USPS Northern Region, 

 Internal Report). Only one stand, stand #2 (23 acres) met the age and number of large 

 diameter trees criteria as noted in Old-Growth Forest Types of the Northern Region. 

 Based on forest habitat types present and climatic factors, the criteria for old growth type 

 5, which requires 10 trees per acre greater than 17 inches, was used to assess the project 

 area stands for old growth characteristics. Inventory data shows this stand has 3 1 trees 

 per acre greater than 17". All other stands do not have the required number of large trees 

 per acre to meet the definition. 



E. Insect and Disease Activity 



Inventory and field reconnaissance were used to identify and quantify insect and disease 

 activity in the project area. 



1. Bark Beetles 



The Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) is the most corrmion bark 

 beetle found in the project area. The beetle is responsible for small pockets of 

 mortality throughout the section. The pockets of mortality have been small in size 

 and no widespread outbreak has occurred. The numbers of beetles appears to 

 have peaked in the late 1990's to early 2000 and populations have been holding 

 steady. Continuing mortality is occurring due to the large areas of suitable older 

 age class habitat and droughty weather conditions. 



15 



