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CEGL000288 Abies grandis / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Dwarf Bilberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is described for the western Idaho Batholith and eastern Blue Mountains ecoregional sections and may occur in the Okanogan Highlands section. The association is restricted to alluvial terraces and glacial outwash, at 1400 to 1675 m (4600-5500 feet) elevation. Sites are located principally in the western Salmon River, West, and Cuddy mountains of central Idaho and possibly the eastern slope of the Kettle Range in northeastern Washington. These sites are typically prone to frost pocketing. Published descriptions are for mid-seral stands. Pole- and medium-sized Pinus contorta dominate the overstory of most stands. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea engelmannii, and Larix occidentalis are present in the overstory of late mid-seral stands. Dispersed Abies grandis understory establishment is usually present with Abies lasiocarpa. The open understory is dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum and Calamagrostis rubescens. The association may appear similar to ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest (CEGL000465)$$ or ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest (CEGL000340)$$, which may be distinguished by the presence of Abies grandis regeneration, adjacent upslope associations, or on the basis of elevation. In some situations sites may be identified as ~Pinus contorta / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest (CEGL000168)$$.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In Washington, stands that may represent this association are considered part of ~Abies grandis / Calamagrostis rubescens Woodland (CEGL000916)$$. The classification of this type needs review, as it is based on habitat typing, and most stands cited in U.S. Forest Service habitat type reports will be dominated by conifers other than Abies grandis.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The tree canopy of this evergreen needle-leaved association is dominated by Pinus contorta in most stands, with Abies grandis always present in varying amounts and as regeneration in the understory. Several other tree species occur, depending upon successional status, including Populus tremuloides, Picea engelmannii, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The understory is dominated by the low deciduous shrub Vaccinium cespitosum, with 45% cover, and the perennial grass Calamagrostis rubescens, with 30% cover. Total herbaceous cover averages over 60%. Shrub and forb richness are both high, but few species are abundant, other than those listed above. Litter and duff on the forest floor are often over 3 cm deep.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest is found in a mountainous region with a climate moderated by maritime influence, particularly in the winter and spring. Precipitation typically occurs as prolonged gentle rains, with periods of fog and heavy cloud cover. During summer, the maritime influence is weak; these months are dry and have daily extremes of temperature. This association occupies gentle alluvial terraces and glacial outwash deposits, from 1400 to 1675 m (4600-5500 feet) elevation. These sites are strongly influenced by frost pockets and cold-air drainage. Soils are derived from alluvial deposits, generally granitic, with sandy loam to clay loam textures.
Geographic Range: Stands of the association are located principally in the western Salmon River, West, and Cuddy mountains of central Idaho and possibly on the eastern slope of the Kettle Range in northeastern Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683467
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | CEGL000288 Grand Fir / Dwarf Bilberry Forest | CEGL000288 | 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 grandis / Vaccinium caespitosum Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
- 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.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- 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.
- 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.
- Williams, C. K., and T. R. Lillybridge. 1985. Forested plant associations of the Colville National Forest. Draft. Unpublished field guide prepared for USDA Forest Service.