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CEGL000915 Abies grandis / Arctostaphylos nevadensis Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Pinemat Manzanita Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is an evergreen conifer woodland association generally found on ridgetops and rocky sites in the eastern Cascades. The name of the type reflects a potential vegetation. The existing vegetation is dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii and/or Pinus ponderosa in the main canopy. Abies grandis and Pinus contorta var. latifolia can be important in some stands. The tree canopy is mostly open. The undergrowth is patchy often with rocks exposed among a dwarf-shrub layer. Arctostaphylos nevadensis is nearly always present and can be very abundant especially on glacial outwash or till in cold-air drainages. Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia and several Vaccinium species are present or can be abundant. Arctostaphylos patula is associated in some Oregon stands. The herbaceous layer is sparse, patchy and dominated by graminoids, primarily Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri and Festuca occidentalis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Most stands of this woodland association have tree ages of less than 150 years, indicating a short time span since fire or other stand-initiating disturbance. Therefore, most stands are dominated by the evergreen needle-leaved trees Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa, with tree-size Abies grandis present in small amounts in some stands. Abies grandis is regenerating in most stands. The understory is open, with a ''scabby'' appearance; surface rock is abundant and the shrub layer is low. The prostrate, broad-leaved evergreen shrub Arctostaphylos nevadensis is variable in cover, from very sparse to 50%. Several other taller shrubs are commonly present including Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia, and Vaccinium spp. The abundance of herbaceous species is variable, the most common being the perennial graminoids Calamagrostis rubescens and Carex geyeri.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found on the eastern side of the Cascades, a mountainous region in the rainshadow of the crest of the Cascade Range. The grand fir series is characteristic of warm, moderately dry environments. The distribution of the grand fir species in the Pacific Northwest suggests it has an affinity to maritime climates and does not tolerate dry, deep cold. This association is found on gentle slopes of ridgetops, upper slopes and occasionally glacial outwash terraces, from 580 to 1370 m (1900-4500 feet) elevation. It occurs on warm, moderately dry sites with very shallow rocky soils and low productivity. Exposed bedrock is common in these sites.
Geographic Range: This association is found from Wenatchee, Washington, south in the east Cascades, and may occur in adjacent Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683070
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.3 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir - Western Larch Mesic Lower Montane Forest Macrogroup | M500 | 1.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c Grand Fir - Douglas-fir East Cascades Forest Group | G212 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Alliance | A3583 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Mesic Cascadian Forest Alliance | A3583 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Association | CEGL000915 Grand Fir / Pinemat Manzanita Woodland | CEGL000915 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies grandis / Arctostaphylos nevadensis (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/ARNE ASSOCIATION CWS338]
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- John, T., and D. Tart. 1986. Forested plant associations of the Yakima Drainage within the Yakama Indian Reservation. Review copy prepared for the Yakama Indian Nation - BIA-SCS.
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 pp.
- Topik, C. 1989. Plant associations and management guide for the Abies grandis zone Gifford Pinchot National Forest. R6-ECOL-TP-006-88. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 110 pp.
- Topik, C., N. M. Halverson, and T. High. 1988. Plant associations and management guide of the ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and grand fir zone, Mt. Hood National Forest. R6-ECOL-TP-004-88. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 136 pp.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Williams, C. K., and B. G. Smith. 1990. Forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Unpublished draft prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 217 pp.