SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG YOUNG CERCOCARPUS-LEDIFOLIUS (CURLLEAF MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY)

This study analyzed spatial location patterns of Cercocarpus ledifoliu s Nutt. (curlleaf mountain mahogany) plants, classified as current-yea r seedling, established seedling, juvenile, and immature individuals, at a central Nevada study site. Most current-year seedlings were locat ed in mahogany stands in which large, mature individuals had. tile gre atest abundance. These stands had greater litter cover and a thicker l ayer of litter than areas with few current-year seedlings. Most establ ished young Cercocarpus were located in adjacent Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (mountain big sagebrush) communities, or in infrequent c anopy gaps between relatively few large, mature Cercocarpus. We discus s potential roles of plant litter, root growth characteristics, nurse plants, and herbivory in the establishment and renewal of Cercocarpus communities.