Print Report
CEGL002663 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Mertensia ciliata Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Tall Fringed Bluebells Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This coniferous riparian plant association occurs in the subalpine spruce-fir zone in New Mexico, Colorado and possibly Wyoming occurring at 3050-3500 m (9000-11,500 feet) elevation. It is a heavily shaded forest with no shrubs and a thick line of wildflowers lining the stream edge. It is a common community in the subalpine zone along the immediate channel edge and adjacent overflow areas of first- and second-order streams. Stream gradient is often moderate (2-15%). Soils are dark brown in color with high organic matter content. They range from a thin layer of skeletal sandy loam to somewhat deep, mottled loamy sand over colluvial boulders. The tree canopy is generally dense and dominated by Picea engelmannii and/or Abies lasiocarpa with few associates. A shrub layer is generally lacking, although Salix drummondiana, Lonicera involucrata, and Ribes spp. can be present but with less than 10% cover. The herbaceous layer is lush and diverse. Mertensia ciliata is nearly always present. Other forbs consistently present include Cardamine cordifolia, Senecio triangularis, Saxifraga odontoloma, Oxypolis fendleri, Trollius laxus ssp. albiflorus, Caltha leptosepala, Ligusticum porteri, Streptopus amplexifolius, Equisetum arvense, Arnica mollis, Geranium richardsonii, Carex bella, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Carex aquatilis, among many others. At high elevations and on drier hummocks, Vaccinium myrtillus and Polemonium pulcherrimum can occur.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa codominate the overstory. The luxuriant understory is a key feature; total herb cover may be in excess of 100%. Soils are characteristically deep with high water tables, supporting water-indicating plants such as Mertensia ciliata, Oxypolis fendleri, and Cardamine cordifolia.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There are two closely related communities: (1) the Picea engelmannii - Abies lasiocarpa / Senecio triangularis (Engelmann spruce - subalpine fir / arrowleaf groundsel) plant association (Hess 1981, Komarkova 1986), which occurs on steep, wet hillsides, rather than in valley bottoms and (2) the Picea / Galium triflorum (spruce / fragrant bedstraw) community type (Youngblood et al. 1985a), which has Picea pungens (Colorado blue spruce) as the dominate overstory, rather than Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa dominate the overstory. Larson and Moir (1987) relate that stands near timberline may have little Abies. Dix and Richards (1976) suggest that the dominance of fir versus spruce may depend upon the snowpack of the site. Their findings indicate that spruce are more tolerant of an increased, moderately long snow duration than are fir. Shrubs are, for the most part, absent. Exceptions are Ribes and Vaccinium spp. which may be found on dry hummocks, such as around tree bases. The rich and luxuriant herb layer is the most conspicuous feature of this association, with a total herb cover in excess of 100% commonly occurring. Often five or more species will be abundantly represented in the undergrowth. Species lists commonly exceed 50 taxa within a given plot (DeVelice et al. 1986). However, undergrowth is patchy, reflecting variations in soil moisture. Senecio triangularis and Mertensia ciliata form dense patches in very wet but sunny spots, especially near running water. Similar locations with more slowly moving water and an accumulation of sediment and organic material frequently support Calamagrostis canadensis and Carex aquatilis. In equally wet, but shaded locations, Saxifraga odontoloma is important. Dry hummocks with accumulated coniferous litter usually support Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum. On shaded, moist patches of raw humus, Osmorhiza depauperata is found (Peet 1981). Frequently occurring species are Carex bella, Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Geranium richardsonii, Ligusticum porteri, Oxypolis fendleri, and Streptopus amplexifolius. Luzula parviflora also exhibits a high frequency. Other forbs consistently present include Senecio triangularis, Saxifraga odontoloma (= Micranthes odontoloma), Trollius laxus ssp. albiflorus, Equisetum arvense, Arnica mollis, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Carex aquatilis, among many others. At high elevations and on drier hummocks, Vaccinium myrtillus and Polemonium pulcherrimum can occur. Often this association occupies the seep areas where seeps emerge in areas dominated by Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus / Polemonium pulcherrimum habitat type (DeVelice et al. 1986). Wet meadows dominated by Carex spp. and Juncus spp. may adjoin the type.
Dynamics: Many forests of this type exhibit climax conditions (Peet 1981). The sheltered topographic position reduces the occurrence of extensive windthrow. Also, representing the wettest nonriparian conditions for this series in the southern Rocky Mountains (DeVelice et al. 1986), this association has long intervals between fires.
Environmental Description: This association occurs at 3050-3500 m (9000-11,500 feet) elevation. It is one of the wettest Abies lasiocarpa associations and is generally located on gentle to moderate wet seep slopes and benches with a northern aspect. Its position is typically low to mid slope. Soils are deep and exhibit high water tables. Aquic Cryobororalfs, Argiaquic Cryoborolls, Argic Pachic Cryoborolls, and Aquic Cryofluvents subgroups are included in this association. The climate is cold and hydric.
Geographic Range: This association is found from northern Colorado down to northern New Mexico. It may also occur in Montana, Utah (Padgett et al. 1989), and Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT?, NM, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683195
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group | G506 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A3757 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance | A3757 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002663 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Tall Fringed Bluebells Swamp Forest | CEGL002663 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: Merged CEGL000320 and CEGL000334 as a result of finalized riparian classification for Colorado.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies bifolia / Mertensia ciliata (Stuever and Hayden 1997a) [Abies bifolia is equivalent to Abies lasiocarpa.]
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Cardamine cordifolia - Mertensia ciliata - Senecio triangularis (Baker 1989b) [found in western Colorado.]
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Cardamine cordifolia Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Mertensia ciliata Forest (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [found in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico from 9000-11,500 feet.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Cardamine cordifolia (Steen and Dix 1974) [found in Colorado.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Mertensia ciliata Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [located in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado between 9200-10,200 feet.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico into Colorado at 10,000 feet.]
? Abies lasiocarpa / Oxypolis fendleri Habitat Type (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a) [found in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Senecio triangularis - Saxifraga odontoloma Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Senecio triangularis Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Richard et al. 1996)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1995)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1994)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kettler and McMullen 1996)
< Picea - Abies / Cardamine type (Whipple 1975) [found near Fraser, Colorado.]
= Picea engelmannii-Abies lasiocarpa/Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel and Lederer 1993)
= Conifer/ Aconitum columbianum (monkshood) Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce /mountain bluebells (Abies lasiocarpa-Picea engelmannii/Mertensia ciliata) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
>< Wet Picea, Abies Forest (Peet 1981) [found in the northern Colorado Front Range between 9512 feet and timberline.]
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Cardamine cordifolia - Mertensia ciliata - Senecio triangularis (Baker 1989b) [found in western Colorado.]
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Cardamine cordifolia Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Mertensia ciliata Forest (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [found in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico from 9000-11,500 feet.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Cardamine cordifolia (Steen and Dix 1974) [found in Colorado.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Mertensia ciliata Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [located in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado between 9200-10,200 feet.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico into Colorado at 10,000 feet.]
? Abies lasiocarpa / Oxypolis fendleri Habitat Type (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a) [found in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Senecio triangularis - Saxifraga odontoloma Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Senecio triangularis Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Richard et al. 1996)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1995)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1994)
= Abies lasiocarpa/ Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kettler and McMullen 1996)
< Picea - Abies / Cardamine type (Whipple 1975) [found near Fraser, Colorado.]
= Picea engelmannii-Abies lasiocarpa/Mertensia ciliata Plant Association (Kittel and Lederer 1993)
= Conifer/ Aconitum columbianum (monkshood) Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce /mountain bluebells (Abies lasiocarpa-Picea engelmannii/Mertensia ciliata) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
>< Wet Picea, Abies Forest (Peet 1981) [found in the northern Colorado Front Range between 9512 feet and timberline.]
- Alexander, B. G., Jr. 1981. A preliminary forest habitat classification for the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. Unpublished thesis, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. 94 pp.
- Baker, W. L. 1984a. A preliminary classification of the natural vegetation of Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 44(4):647-676.
- Baker, W. L. 1989b. Classification of the riparian vegetation of the montane and subalpine zones in western Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 49(2):214-228.
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- DeVelice, R. L., J. A. Ludwig, W. H. Moir, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1986. A classification of forest habitat types of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. General Technical Report RM-131. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 59 pp.
- DeVelice, R. L., and J. A. Ludwig. 1983a. Climax forest series of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Pages 45-53 in: Proceedings of the Workshop on Southwestern Habitat Types, 6-8 April 1983, Albuquerque, NM. USDA Forest Service, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Dix, R. L., and J. D. Richards. 1976. Possible changes in species structure of the subalpine forest induced by increased snowpack. Pages 311-322 in: Steinhoff and Ives, editors. Ecological impacts. Final Report, San Juan Ecology Project, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Prepared for USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Division of Atmos. Water Resource Management, Denver, Colorado.
- Hess, K. 1981. Phyto-edaphic study of habitat types of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 558 pp.
- Hess, K., and R. R. Alexander. 1986. Forest vegetation of the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests in northcentral Colorado: A habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-266. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 48 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Kettler, S., and A. McMullen. 1996. Routt National Forest riparian vegetation classification. Report prepared for Routt National Forest by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Kittel, G. M., and N. D. Lederer. 1993. A preliminary classification of the riparian vegetation of the Yampa and San Miguel/Dolores river basins. Unpublished report prepared for Colorado Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency by The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Field Office, Boulder.
- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, N. Lederer, and D. Randolph. 1994. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the White and Colorado River basins, Colorado. Final report submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Boulder. 166 pp.
- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and A. McMullen. 1996. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Lower South Platte and parts of the Upper Arkansas River basins, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins. 243 pp.
- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and S. Kettler. 1995. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Gunnison River Basin, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins. 114 pp.
- Komarkova, V., A. Peters, G. Kamani, W. Jones, V. Howard, H. Gordon, and K. Southwick. 1988a. Natural recovery of plant communities on disturbance plots and history of land use in the Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes Valley, Front Range, Colorado. University of Colorado Longterm Ecological Research Working Paper 88/1. Boulder, CO. 46 pp.
- Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix. [http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Peet, R. K. 1975. Forest vegetation of the east slope of the northern Colorado Front Range. Unpublished dissertation, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
- Peet, R. K. 1981. Forest vegetation of the Colorado Front Range. Vegetatio 45:3-75.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Richard, C., G. Kittel, and S. Kettler. 1996. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the San Juan National Forest. Draft 1 report. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Steen, O. A., and R. L. Dix. 1974. A preliminary classification of Colorado subalpine forests: A working guide. Unpublished report prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 9 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Wasser, C. H., and K. Hess. 1982. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A synthesis. Final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Whipple, S. A. 1975. The influence of environmental gradients on vegetational structure in the subalpine forest of the southern Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.