The vitality and regeneration of this Pinus ponderosa forest depends on ample seeds, adequate moisture, and a temperature of for germination and early survival. Once the seed germinates, it grows a tap root into the ground. This tree likes uneven aged stands and is shade intolerant. Management practices for the forest include group selection cutting and prescribed controlled burn fires. The bark of ponderosa pine is very thick so older trees can withstand fire to a certain extent. The Quaking aspen grow well in the forest. Sucker production after a fire is high but survival is low. There is less canopy cover in a ponderosa pine community compared to a lodgepole pine and spruce/fir community, resulting in more grasses, forbs, and shrubs. The high species richness in this community makes it preferred by grazing animals such as elk, deer, and moose.
Climate
Of the of annual precipitation, 60% of that falls from the month of April to the month of September in the form of thunderstorms. During these months there is high evapotranspiration because Populus tremuloides intercept a lot of the precipitation. The average temperature for this community is, on average, warmer than other conifer communities studied. The average temperature is approximately between four and five degrees Celsius, creating four frost-free months which makes this community almost as warm as the mountain shrub community.
Wildlife
The ponderosa pine forest, unlike the lodgepole pine and spruce/fir forests, supports numerous mammal species including Abert's squirrel, which only lives in ponderosa pine communities. S. aberti usually prefers a cluster of trees and feeds on the seeds of the cones. S. aberti has also adapted to the chemicals ponderosa pine produces for protection by targeting the trees that have lowered chemical levels. Pygmy nuthatches are also specifically adapted to ponderosa pine woodlands. Another species that can be supported by ponderosa pine is the Colorado chipmunk. T. quadrivitattus helps spread the seeds of the ponderosa pine by spreading out and burying its caches. This results in the seeds being further from the trees and better germination rates. This community also hosts the gopher snake, which burrows into gopher holes. Also, ponderosa pine provides habitat for the cougar and the bobcat as well as birds as western tanager, wild turkey, mountain bluebird, and white-breasted nuthatch. The species present in this area affect the vegetation and provide aesthetic valuefor the people who use this area recreationally.
Recreation
The ponderosa pine forest is a favored location for summer cabins and is often easily accessed. Much camping and four-wheel driving happens during the summer in the area also. Hunting is favored in the ponderosa pine forest because the trees are more spaced out than other conifer forests making for better range of sight, and the forest is lower and has less snow.
Soil erosion
Soil compaction is an issue in this forest. Soil compaction can alter what grows in an area, which will affect the vegetation and thus the outcome of this study. This high amount of activity, plus vigorous summer thunderstorms, can cause erosion of the soil.
