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CEGL000297 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Alder Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This minor forest association occurs in scattered locations in the lower subalpine zone of the northern Rocky Mountains. Stands are typically found on steep mountain slopes on northern aspects, at elevations ranging from 1525-2290 m (5000-7500 feet). Sites are cool and moist. Substrates are typically loams or less commonly silt loams or silts. Litter dominates ground cover often 6 cm deep with low cover of rock and bare ground. The vegetation is characterized by a tree canopy codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii with tall shrub Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata dominating the understory. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is moderately dense (60-90% cover) and is typically codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii with lesser amounts of Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus albicaulis, and Larix occidentalis (west of the Continental Divide). The tall-shrub layer is composed of dense patches and is dominated by Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata with scattered Ribes lacustre. Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium often form a dwarf-shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and composed of diverse forbs such as Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Osmorhiza berteroi, Orthilia secunda, Thalictrum occidentale, and Xerophyllum tenax.
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: This minor Rocky Mountain conifer association is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with tall shrub Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata dominating the understory. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is moderately dense (60-90% cover) and is typically codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, with lesser amounts of Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus albicaulis, and Larix occidentalis (west of the Continental Divide). The tall-shrub layer is composed of dense patches and is dominated by Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata with scattered Ribes lacustre. Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium often form a dwarf-shrub layer. Herbaceous layer is typically sparse and composed of diverse forbs such as Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), Thalictrum occidentale, and Xerophyllum tenax.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This minor forest association occurs in scattered locations in the lower subalpine zone of the northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1980-2290 m (6500-7500 feet) throughout west-central Montana and central Idaho, extending down to 1525 m (5000 feet) in more northern stands. Stands are typically found on steep mountain slopes on northern aspects. Sites are cool and moist. Substrates are typically loams or less commonly silt loams or silts derived from argillite, gneiss, schist, granite and biotite granite, or noncalcareous sedimentary rocks. Litter dominates ground cover often 6 cm deep with low cover of rock and bare ground.
Geographic Range: This minor forest association occurs in scattered locations in the lower subalpine zone of the central and northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683500
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group | G506 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A3757 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance | A3757 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL000297 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Alder Swamp Forest | CEGL000297 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Abies lasiocarpa / Alnus sinuata Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Alnus sinuata Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Alnus sinuata Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.