Print Report
CEGL000205 Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Mountain Snowberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ponderosa pine forest occurs within the Seven Devils and western Boise mountains in Idaho, the Aquarius and Paunsaugunt plateaus and Abajo Mountains in Utah, and in Oregon. The association occurs in small, localized patches. In the northern portion of the range, it occurs on south-facing ridgetop and upper-slope positions at approximately 1525 m (5000 feet) elevation. In the south, the association occurs on gentle to moderate midslopes, facing all aspects, at elevations ranging from 2400-2680 m (7900-8800 feet). Pseudotsuga menziesii forests are adjacent on more mesic sites. Stands are characterized by an open to closed overstory dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Purshia tridentata, and Amelanchier alnifolia are common associates of the conspicuous understory shrub layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may occur in Arizona or New Mexico. More investigation is needed. Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophilus is described as a habitat type by both Steele et al. (1981) and Youngblood and Mauk (1985). The plant association is considerably more productive in stands sampled by Youngblood and Mauk (1985). For this reason they propose that the southern occurrences of the association be considered unique.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are characterized by an open to closed overstory dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Purshia tridentata, and Amelanchier alnifolia are common associates of the conspicuous understory shrub layer. In southern stands, Arctostaphylos patula and Chrysothamnus depressus may also be present.
Dynamics: Pinus ponderosa is a drought-resistant, shade-intolerant conifer which usually occurs at lower treeline in the major ranges of the western United States. Historically, surface fires and drought were influential in maintaining open canopy conditions in these forests, and many may have actually been woodlands. With settlement and subsequent fire suppression, stands have become denser than they once were. Presently, many stands contain understories of more shade-tolerant species, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii and/or Abies spp., which may be affecting fuel loads and may alter future fire regimes.
Environmental Description: This forest association is described for sites within the Seven Devils and western Boise mountains in Idaho, the Aquarius and Paunsaugunt plateaus and Abajo Mountains in Utah, and in Oregon. The association occurs with minor to local abundance in the two biophysical regions. In the northern portion of the range the association occurs on south-facing ridgetop and upper-slope positions at approximately 1525 m (5000 feet) elevation. In the south, the association occurs on gentle to moderate midslopes, facing all aspects, at elevations ranging from 2400-2680 m (7900-8800 feet).
Geographic Range: The association occurs in mountains of west-central Idaho, northeastern Oregon, and central and southern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683477
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.2 Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir - Limber Pine Central Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Macrogroup | M501 | 1.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a Ponderosa Pine Central Rocky Mountain Open Woodland Group | G213 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Alliance | A3446 Ponderosa Pine / Shrub Understory Central Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A3446 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Association | CEGL000205 Ponderosa Pine / Mountain Snowberry Forest | CEGL000205 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophila Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophila Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985)
= Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophila Habitat Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
= Ponderosa pine / mountain snowberry plant association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992)
= Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophila Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985)
= Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos oreophila Habitat Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
= Ponderosa pine / mountain snowberry plant association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992)
- 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.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Madany, M. H., and N. E. West. 1984. Vegetation of two relict mesas in Zion National Park. Journal of Range Management 37(5):456-461.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., W. G. Padgett, and A. H. Winward. 1985a. Riparian community type classification of eastern Idaho-western Wyoming. R4-Ecol-85-01. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 78 pp.
- Youngblood, A. P., and R. L. Mauk. 1985. Coniferous forest habitat types of central and southern Utah. General Technical Report INT-187. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 89 pp.