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CEGL000263 Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Mountain Snowberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association has been reported from mountains in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona along the Mogollon Rim. Elevation ranges from 2075-3200 m (6800-10,500 feet). Stands are found on cool, dry sites often occurring on moderate to steep mid slopes with northern aspects, but they also occur on southern and western slopes at the higher elevations. Parent material often is limestone and Tertiary sandstone. Soil surface textures are sandy loam to loam and contain little gravel. The upper tree canopy is typically dominated by either Pinus ponderosa or Pseudotsuga menziesii with scattered Abies concolor. This association is characterized by the presence of successfully reproducing Abies concolor, which may also dominate or codominate the tree canopy or shrub layers. Associated trees include Pinus flexilis, Populus angustifolia, and Populus tremuloides. The sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer is characteristically dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus often with Rosa woodsii, Amelanchier alnifolia, or several other shrubs present. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Common graminoids are Carex rossii and Poa fendleriana. Forbs are noticeably sparse.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are the principal climax forest species. Abies concolor may be present primarily as regeneration. Pinus ponderosa and Pinus strobiformis are common seral associates. Symphoricarpos oreophilus occurs in the sparse understory and may attain a coverage exceeding 5%. Populus tremuloides is a minor seral tree in this association.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stuever and Hayden (1997a) identify two phases: (1) Pinus ponderosa phase: An association of cool and dry situations, this phase has Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa dominating the overstory of mature stands. Abies concolor may be represented by scattered large trees. This phase occurs throughout northern New Mexico, southern Colorado and Utah, on moderate to steep, midslopes with northerly aspects; elevations range from 2070 to 2835 m (6800-9300 feet). A light shrub layer dominates the otherwise sparse undercover. (2) Pinus flexilis phase: This phase demonstrates overstory codominance of Abies concolor, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Pinus flexilis. Pinus aristata is a minor seral associate. Undergrowth is sparse and only Symphoricarpos oreophilus has coverage exceeding 5%. This phase generally occurs at elevations ranging from 2300 to 3000 m (8200-9850 feet), on all aspects of steep canyon side slopes and ridges.
Two similar associations, Abies concolor / Erigeron eximius and Abies concolor / Sparse, are described by DeVelice et al. (1986) for northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Two similar associations, Abies concolor / Erigeron eximius and Abies concolor / Sparse, are described by DeVelice et al. (1986) for northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands have a moderately dense to dense, evergreen needleleaf tree canopy typically dominated by either Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus ponderosa with scattered Abies concolor. This association is characterized by the presence of successfully reproducing Abies concolor, which may also dominate or codominate the tree canopy or shrub layers. Associated trees, including Pinus flexilis, Pinus aristata, Populus angustifolia, and Populus tremuloides, may also be present. The sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer is dominated or codominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus often with Rosa woodsii, Amelanchier alnifolia, or several other shrubs present including Acer glabrum, Amelanchier utahensis, Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, Physocarpus monogynus, Prunus virginiana, Quercus gambelii, or Ribes cereum. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Common graminoids are Carex rossii and Poa fendleriana. Forbs are noticeably sparse, but may include Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum racemosum, Lathyrus lanszwertii, or Thalictrum fendleri. Lichens and mosses may form on microsites free of tree litter.
Freeman and Dick-Peddie (1970) note a high occurrence of Populus angustifolia, possibly due to the fact that their stands were strictly riparian in nature and had a high possibility of past disturbance in the area. Additionally, the relatively low elevation of this study, 2285 m (7500 feet), may account for the high occurrence of Populus angustifolia. Lamb (1975) notes that Populus angustifolia characteristically grows at lower elevations beneath Populus tremuloides.
Freeman and Dick-Peddie (1970) note a high occurrence of Populus angustifolia, possibly due to the fact that their stands were strictly riparian in nature and had a high possibility of past disturbance in the area. Additionally, the relatively low elevation of this study, 2285 m (7500 feet), may account for the high occurrence of Populus angustifolia. Lamb (1975) notes that Populus angustifolia characteristically grows at lower elevations beneath Populus tremuloides.
Dynamics: The parasitic dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium douglasii is relatively severe on the branches of Pseudotsuga menziesii in this association.
Abies concolor becomes increasingly more resistant to fire with age, and its cover value therefore increases in later seral stands. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa are favored in early-seral stands because they are able to establish on open sites and are fire-resistant and, therefore, show a greater cover value. Stuever and Hayden (1997a) described two phases: a Pinus ponderosa phase and a Pinus flexilis phase where these seral trees species are an important part of the tree canopy.
Fire history indicates frequent, probably low- to moderate-intensity fires were common in spite of thin, dissected ground cover and litter. Symphoricarpos oreophilus may be top-consumed by most fires but often survives by sprouting from remaining root crowns.
Abies concolor becomes increasingly more resistant to fire with age, and its cover value therefore increases in later seral stands. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa are favored in early-seral stands because they are able to establish on open sites and are fire-resistant and, therefore, show a greater cover value. Stuever and Hayden (1997a) described two phases: a Pinus ponderosa phase and a Pinus flexilis phase where these seral trees species are an important part of the tree canopy.
Fire history indicates frequent, probably low- to moderate-intensity fires were common in spite of thin, dissected ground cover and litter. Symphoricarpos oreophilus may be top-consumed by most fires but often survives by sprouting from remaining root crowns.
Environmental Description: This coniferous forest association has been reported from mountains in New Mexico and Arizona along the Mogollon Rim, Colorado and Utah. Elevation ranges from 1740-3200 m (6800-10,500 feet). Stands are found on cool, dry sites often occurring on moderate to steep midslopes with northern aspects, but they also occur on southern and western slopes at higher elevations. Parent material often is limestone and Tertiary sandstone that has either been modified by colluvial action or weathered in place. Soil surface textures are sandy loam to loam and contain little gravel. Litter depth averages 2.5 cm. Bare soil averages 7% and exposed rock averages 3%.
Youngblood and Mauk (1985) state that this association represents relatively cool and dry conditions that are generally above the Abies concolor/Juniperus communis and Abies concolor/Mahonia repens associations and, in moist sites, may be lower elevations of extremes within the Abies lasiocarpa/Mahonia repens or Abies lasiocarpa/Juniperus communis associations. Moir and Larson (1987) relate that Abies concolor/Acer glabrum intergrades into Abies concolor/Symphoricarpos oreophilus but typically occupies wetter or colder sites and Abies concolor/Mahonia repens occupies drier or more nutrient-impoverished sites.
Youngblood and Mauk (1985) state that this association represents relatively cool and dry conditions that are generally above the Abies concolor/Juniperus communis and Abies concolor/Mahonia repens associations and, in moist sites, may be lower elevations of extremes within the Abies lasiocarpa/Mahonia repens or Abies lasiocarpa/Juniperus communis associations. Moir and Larson (1987) relate that Abies concolor/Acer glabrum intergrades into Abies concolor/Symphoricarpos oreophilus but typically occupies wetter or colder sites and Abies concolor/Mahonia repens occupies drier or more nutrient-impoverished sites.
Geographic Range: This coniferous forest association has been reported from mountains and high plateaus in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and in Arizona along the Mogollon Rim.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683312
Confidence Level: High
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d White Fir - Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Mesic Southern Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G225 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A3369 White Fir Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3369 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000263 White Fir / Mountain Snowberry Forest | CEGL000263 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [found in the San Juan and San Isabel national forests of Colorado from 6900-9200 feet.]
= Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Johnston 1984)
? Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Freeman and Dick-Peddie 1970) [found on the east slope of the Black Range in New Mexico at 7577 feet in elevation.]
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [found on the southern half of the Aquarius and Paunsaugunt plateaus, on the Tavaputs Plateau, in Bryce Canyon National Park, and sporadically across the Wasatch Plateau of Utah from 6800-9300 feet.]
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico, northern Arizona into Utah and Colorado from 8500-10,500 feet.]
= White-fir / Snowberry (Roberts et al. 1992)
= Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Johnston 1984)
? Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Freeman and Dick-Peddie 1970) [found on the east slope of the Black Range in New Mexico at 7577 feet in elevation.]
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [found on the southern half of the Aquarius and Paunsaugunt plateaus, on the Tavaputs Plateau, in Bryce Canyon National Park, and sporadically across the Wasatch Plateau of Utah from 6800-9300 feet.]
= Abies concolor / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico, northern Arizona into Utah and Colorado from 8500-10,500 feet.]
= White-fir / Snowberry (Roberts et al. 1992)
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