Print Report
CEGL000465 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Douglas-fir / Dwarf Bilberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found in the montane zone of the Rocky Mountains in north-central and northwestern Montana from east of the Continental Divide to northeastern Washington. Elevations range from 700-1370 m (2300-4500 feet) extending to 1950 m (6400 feet) east of the divide. This association often occurs in frost pocket conditions, where cold air accumulates causing high diurnal temperature fluctuations, typically with cold nights, high daily maximum temperatures, and frequent summer frosts. Topography is flat to gently undulating or moderately sloping terrain typically occurring on valley bottoms, terraces, lower slopes, and benches on all aspects. Soils are predominantly excessively well-drained, moderately deep, acidic, gravelly, sandy loam or loam. Ground cover is mostly tree litter, often with duff over 4 cm deep. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy that is dominated or codominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta, or Larix occidentalis. In some stands scattered Populus tremuloides trees may be present. Vaccinium cespitosum and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (indicator species) are common to dominant in the patchy to continuous dwarf-shrub layer. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may include low cover of Amelanchier alnifolia, Linnaea borealis (on more mesic sites), Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes spp., Spiraea betulifolia, or Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense (to 30% cover) and is typically dominated or codominated by perennial graminoids in the openings such as Calamagrostis rubescens. Forbs generally have sparse cover but may be diverse.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Some stands had an open tree canopy (40% cover) that could be classified as a woodland, but were included in this forest association until review of this association is completed rangewide.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy that is dominated or codominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta, or Larix occidentalis. In some stands scattered Populus tremuloides trees may be present. Vaccinium cespitosum and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (indicator species) are common to dominant in the patchy to continuous dwarf-shrub layer. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may include low cover of Amelanchier alnifolia, Linnaea borealis (on more mesic sites), Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes spp., Spiraea betulifolia, or Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense (to 30% cover) and is typically dominated or codominated by perennial graminoids in the openings such as Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, or Festuca spp. Forbs generally have sparse cover but may be diverse and include Arnica cordifolia, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Fragaria virginiana, Heuchera cylindrica, Maianthemum racemosum, Tiarella trifoliata, and Thalictrum occidentale. Xerophyllum tenax is common in some stands.
Dynamics: This association is a mid-seral, post-fire type, often with individuals of early-successional trees still present in the canopy, such as Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, or Larix occidentalis. Pfister et al. (1977) report the common occurrence of fire scars and charcoal in stands from western Montana.
Environmental Description: This association is found in the montane zone of the northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 700-1370 m (2300-4500 feet) extending to 1950 m (6400 feet) east of the Continental Divide. This association often occurs in frost pocket situations, where cold air accumulates causing high diurnal temperature fluctuations, typically with cold nights, high daily maximum temperatures, and frequent summer frosts. Topography is flat to gently undulating or moderately sloping terrain typically occurring on valley bottoms, terraces, lower slopes, and benches on all aspects. Soils are typically excessively well-drained, moderately deep, acidic, gravelly, sandy loam or loam, derived from a variety of noncalcareous parent materials, especially glacial till. Ground cover is mostly tree litter, often with duff over 4 cm deep.
Geographic Range: This association is found in the montane zone of the Rocky Mountains in north-central and northwestern Montana from east of the Continental Divide to northeastern Washington, and in Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683258
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.a Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G211 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3362 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3362 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL000465 Douglas-fir / Dwarf Bilberry Forest | CEGL000465 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
>< Pseudotsuga / Calamagrostis Habitat Type (Ogilvie 1962) [the portion of this habitat type with Vaccinium caespitosum is included here.]
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum plant association (Williams et al. 1995)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii/Vaccinium caespitosum Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [Pseudotsuga menziesii-dominated stands of this type.]
>< Pseudotsuga / Calamagrostis Habitat Type (Ogilvie 1962) [the portion of this habitat type with Vaccinium caespitosum is included here.]
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum plant association (Williams et al. 1995)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii/Vaccinium caespitosum Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
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- Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
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- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Ogilvie, R. T. 1962. Ecology of spruce forests on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Unpublished dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman. 189 pp.
- 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.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- 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.
- 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., B. F. Kelly, B. G. Smith, and T. R. Lillybridge. 1995. Forest plant associations of the Colville National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-360. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 140 pp.
- Williams, C. K., T. R. Lillybridge, and B. G. Smith. 1990b. Forested plant associations of the Colville National Forest. Report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 133 pp.