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CEGL008682 Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana - Pinus jeffreyi Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Red Fir - Sierra White Fir - Jeffrey Pine Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest is widespread at middle to lower elevations in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California, at elevations generally between 1983 and 2440 m (6500-8000 feet). Aspects are variable, but a significant portion lie on southern slopes where solar radiation levels are significantly higher than most other sites. Stands are usually on upper slopes and some ridgetops. Slope angles are moderate to somewhat steep. Stand size is usually small, often covering less than an acre on small rock outcrops, but sometimes covering more that 50 acres. Sites have significantly less surface gravel and a deeper litter layer than drier sites commonly encountered. Soils are typically well-drained sandy loams and usually formed in place on granitic bedrock, but often form on alluvium, colluvium or glacial tills and outwash. In general, soils are deeper than most other sites. The average water-holding capacity is one of the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. These are moderately dense forested stands with light understory vegetation. Overstory layers are distinguished by the presence of Abies lowiana and Pinus jeffreyi, in a mix with Abies lowiana. Understories are somewhat sparse. Occasionally Chrysolepis sempervirens can become a major component in the shrub layer and dominate understories, but in most cases shrubs occur as scattered patches and individuals. The herb layer most often contains Pedicularis semibarbata, Kelloggia galioides, Hieracium albiflorum, Viola purpurea, and Pyrola picta, although none of these are frequent. An important element in these understories is the presence of several shrub and forb species that occur at low frequency but can dominate sites in early-successional sequences. In the shrub layer, these are Ceanothus cordulatus, Prunus emarginata, Arctostaphylos patula, and Chrysolepis sempervirens. In the herb layer, they include Pteridium aquilinum, Lupinus adsurgens, Lupinus andersonii, and Achnatherum lemmonii.
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: These are moderately dense forested stands with light understory vegetation. Overstory layers are distinguished by the presence of Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) and Pinus jeffreyi, averaging 16 and 18% cover, respectively, in a mix with Abies lowiana, with an average 29% cover in the overstory. Understories are somewhat sparse. Occasionally Chrysolepis sempervirens can become a major component in the shrub layer and dominate understories, but in most cases shrubs occur as scattered patches and individuals. The herb layer most often contains Pedicularis semibarbata, Kelloggia galioides, Hieracium albiflorum, Viola purpurea, and Pyrola picta, although none of these are frequent. An important element in these understories is the presence of several shrub and forb species that occur at low frequency but can dominate sites in early-successional sequences. In the shrub layer, these are Ceanothus cordulatus, Prunus emarginata, Arctostaphylos patula, and Chrysolepis sempervirens. In the herb layer, they include Pteridium aquilinum, Lupinus adsurgens, Lupinus andersonii, and Achnatherum lemmonii. Abies magnifica and Abies lowiana are the most common tree species regenerating; Pinus jeffreyi regeneration is low.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations generally lie between 1983 and 2440 m (6500-8000 feet). Aspects are variable, but a significant portion lie on southern slopes where solar radiation levels are significantly higher than most other sites. Stands are usually on upper slopes, and some are on ridgetops. Slope angles are moderate to somewhat steep. Stand size is usually small, often covering less than an acre on small rock outcrops, but sometimes covering more that 50 acres. Sites have significantly less surface gravel and a deeper litter layer than drier sites commonly encountered. Soils are usually formed in place on granitic bedrock, but often form on alluvium, colluvium or glacial tills and outwash. In general, soils are deeper than most other sites. Soils are typically sandy loams with rare sands and loams. The average water-holding capacity is one of the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. Soils are typically well-drained.
Geographic Range: This forest is widespread at middle to lower elevations in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683457
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division | D192 | 1.B.2.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nd.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup | M023 | 1.B.2.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group | G344 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Alliance | A3678 Sierra White Fir - California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir Forest Alliance | A3678 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL008682 California Red Fir - Sierra White Fir - Jeffrey Pine Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest | CEGL008682 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus jeffreyi (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.520.09]
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus jeffreyi Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus jeffreyi Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= White Fir - Red Fir - Jeffrey Pine (Potter 1994)
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus jeffreyi Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus jeffreyi Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= White Fir - Red Fir - Jeffrey Pine (Potter 1994)
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 2002. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. August 2002.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Potter, D. A. 1994. Guide to forested communities of the upper montane in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. Technical Publication R5-ECOL-TP-003. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.