Bald Knoll

1909

2004

Description:

Plate 522X. Bald Knoll 1909 – 2004 Viewed northwest to Bald Knoll. Pinyon and juniper now block the original camera station, so the retake was made from the nearest open area. Nevertheless, there has been a dramatic increase in pinyon and juniper at the expense of grasses and mountain big sage. Oakbrush and birchleaf mountain mahogany have also increased except where over-topped by pinyon and juniper. Since this is a very long ways from any town or mine, this is not an example of where pinyon and juniper have reclaimed a once cut-over forest. Instead, this is a clear example of pinyon and juniper invasion. Also note that there are no cut stumps in the 1909 image, only fire-killed snags. This vegetation conversion is directly attributable to the elimination of native burning and modern fire suppression. If fire were to burn this area today, it would be a high-intensity crown fire. There is no evidence of crown fire in the 1909 photograph, nor any other early photos of pinyon and juniper in southern Utah - - except, perhaps, for Hillers’ 1875 image from Fiftymile Mountain - - see Plate 465x.

Photo Information:

Original photograph taken by G.B. Richardson (No. 242) in 1909; retake by Charles E. Kay on June 29, 2004 - - Photo No. 5351-11. Original photograph held in the U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library, Denver, CO.

Vegetative Community:

Pinyon, Juniper, Sagebrush, Oakbrush, Mountain Brush

Location:

South West: Section 22, Range 5 West, Township 40 South; UTM 375850 E, 4130200 N; elevation 6,640 ft.

January 2018