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CEGL000291 Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum - Achlys triphylla Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Thinleaf Huckleberry - Sweet After Death Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Endemic to the southeastern Cascade Range of Washington, this association is found at higher elevations in the vicinity of the White Salmon and Little White Salmon river basins (south of Mount Adams). It occurs in a narrow environmental range below the Abies amabilis zone (warmer, less snow) that elsewhere in the Cascades supports Tsuga heterophylla- or Thuja plicata-dominated forests. It is often found on north aspects. Two locally described associations, Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum - Clintonia uniflora and Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum - Linnaea borealis, are included in this type. Abies grandis dominates these dense forests that often have Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, or Abies amabilis in the upper canopy. Trees are rarely over 37 m (120 feet) tall. Abies grandis is by far the most common tree in the subcanopy and seedling layers. A patchy deciduous shrub layer, approximately 1 m tall, occurs with a diverse forb component. Vaccinium membranaceum and Symphoricarpos mollis are common shrubs and Linnaea borealis and Rubus lasiococcus are common subshrubs in the association. Tall shrubs, such as Acer circinatum, Corylus cornuta, and Cornus nuttallii, are absent to patchy. Although diverse, the forb layer is typically sparse and usually composed of Achlys triphylla, Prosartes hookeri, Clintonia uniflora, Maianthemum racemosum, and Orthilia secunda. Each individual species may be locally abundant but never abundant in most stands.
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: Abies grandis dominates these dense forests that often have Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, or Abies amabilis in the upper canopy. Trees are rarely over 37 m (120 feet) tall. Abies grandis is by far the most common tree in the subcanopy and seedling layers. A patchy deciduous shrub layer, approximately 1 m tall, occurs with a diverse forb component. Vaccinium membranaceum and Symphoricarpos mollis are common shrubs and Linnaea borealis and Rubus lasiococcus are common subshrubs in the association. Tall shrubs, such as Acer circinatum, Corylus cornuta, and Cornus nuttallii, are absent to patchy. Although diverse, the forb layer is typically sparse and usually composed of Achlys triphylla, Prosartes hookeri (= Disporum hookeri), Clintonia uniflora, Maianthemum racemosum, and Orthilia secunda. Each individual species may be locally abundant but never abundant in most stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Endemic to the southeastern Cascade Range of Washington, this association is found at higher elevations in the vicinity of the White Salmon and Little White Salmon river basins (south of Mount Adams). It occurs in a narrow environmental range below the Abies amabilis zone (warmer, less snow) that elsewhere in the Cascades supports Tsuga heterophylla- or Thuja plicata-dominated forests. It is often found on north aspects.
Geographic Range: This association is endemic to southeastern Cascades of Washington. It is found at higher elevations in the vicinity of the White Salmon and Little White Salmon river basins (south of Mount Adams).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683145
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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 | CEGL000291 Grand Fir / Thinleaf Huckleberry - Sweet After Death Forest | CEGL000291 | 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 / Vaccinium membranaceum - Clintonia uniflora (Topik 1989)
? Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum - Linnaea borealis (Topik 1989)
? Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum - Linnaea borealis (Topik 1989)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.