Analysis of the Relationship between Natural Disturbance and Vegetation Patterns in Cascade Canyon, Grand Teton National Park

Abstract

The steep-walled valleys of the Tetons are subject to frequent natural disturbances, including avalanches, rockfall, and debris flow. The vegetation patterns of these valleys are a function of these disturbance events, with the distribution of the community types being controlled by both environmental factors and the disturbance regime. This project will analyze the relationship between disturbances and vegetation patterns in order to determine how the type, frequency, and magnitude of disturbance affects vegetation. This information should lead to an understanding of how vegetation patterns are created and how they change through time.