Tree Mast Production in Pinyon-Juniper-Oak Forests at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

The purpose of this study is to monitor the fruit production of three common woody tree species that occur on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in New Mexico. We estimate fruit production of two monoecious species, Pinus edulis (pinon pine) and Quercus turbinella (Sonoran scrub oak) and one dioecious species, Juniperus monosperma (one-seed juniper). During August – November, we estimate fruit production for these three species at up to six sites within the Sevilleta NWR. Different protocols are used for each species (see Methods). In addition, the age and/or size of each individual tree was assessed at the beginning of the study, excepting in one site (WM) where fruit counts occurred at the plot, rather than individual tree, scale. For P. edulis and J. monosperma, trees wre binned into categories of young, medium, old, or very old trees. For Q. turbinella, we estimate canopy surface area in m 2