Forests

Smoke passes through ponderosa trees during a prescribed burn.

NPS photo

 

The term "Black Hills" is a translation from the Lakota term Pahá Sápa. They are named so because when they are viewed from a distance, the hills appear very dark compared with the surrounding plains.

 

Ponderosa pine tree with forest stands in the background.

NPS photo

The contrast does not end with color. The Great Plains are dominated by grasses, thanks to the semi-arid climate the plains occupy. Grasses are well adapted to the extreme environment of the open plains. The Black Hills, which are higher in elevation than the surrounding plains, provide a cooler, wetter environment that makes the growth of forest stands possible.

Wind Cave National Park occupies the southeastern edge of the Black Hills. It is home to to both prairie and forest environments. While much of the park is open prairie with sparse woody vegetation, these stands of ponderosa pine cover the topographically higher portions of the park.

Black Hills forests are dominated by ponderosa pine. The ponderosa is common to much of western North America, and the Black Hills represent some of their easternmost range. As a drought-tolerant species, it is well-adapted to life in the Black Hills, where rain may abundantly fall some years, but be very absent in other years.

 

A bull elk resting among the ponderosas.

NPS Photo

The diversity of land cover in the park provides prime habaitat for many animals in the park. Where the forest meets the prairie is called an ecotone, the blending of two habitat types. Animals are often seen along the ecotone, taking advantage of the covered forest and open prairie.

Elk are a great example of an animal which takes advantage of the ecotone. Generally, elk use the covered forest during the day, and graze on the prairie at night.

At Wind Cave National Park, steps are taken to ensure that the ponderosa forests are naturally healthy. In recent years, growing recognition of fire as a natural component of forest health has prompted a prescribed fire program.

Fire promotes forest health by clearing away material. This material may be the accumulation of dead and decaying plant matter, or sapling trees. By clearing away these materials, fire makes more room for a diverse forest understory. The forest understory can be comprised of shrubs and flowering plants, such as the western snowberry. This supports a variety of animals in the forest.

Fire also provides habitat for animals by partially burning mature trees, creating "snags". These dead standing trees attract insects such as longhorned beetles. The beetles become an important food source for birds, such as the northern flicker and black-capped chickadee.

 

Fire In The Forest

Left image
Over time, young trees and plant remains accumulate on the forest floor.
Credit: NPS photo

Right image
After a fire, forest materials are cleared away, making more room for diverse plants.
Credit: NPS photo