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CEGL002749 Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Carex rossii Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Ross'' Sedge Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest association is currently only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. This association is found on lower to mid mountain slope positions from approximately 2500 to 3080 m (8200-10,100 feet) in elevation. Slopes are gentle to somewhat steep, with variable aspect. Soils are well-drained with textures ranging from loamy sand to gravels. They are derived primarily from granite, though sometimes metamorphic, bedrock. Litter/duff cover ranges from 35-45%, and large rock cover may be up to 20%. An herb layer ranging from <10 to 75% cover characterizes stands of this association. This layer is primarily Carex species; other species in the herb layer may include Phlox diffusa and Juncus parryi. There is no shrub layer. The tree layer is composed almost solely of Pinus contorta var. murrayana.

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: No Data Available

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  No Data Available

Geographic Range: While the alliance is widespread in the upper montane and subalpine zone of most major mountain ranges of the western U.S., this association has been described from Yosemite National Park. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. It is suspected of occurring as far south as Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3?

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana / Carex rossii (Sawyer et al. 2009) [87.080.06]
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Carex rossii Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana/Carex rossii Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)

Concept Author(s): T. Keeler-Wolf (2002)

Author of Description: T. Keeler-Wolf

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-05-10

  • 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.
  • 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.