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CEGL000038 Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Giant Chinquapin Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mixed conifer association occurs on the eastern slope of the Oregon Cascades and is most often found on north-facing slopes between 1025-1350 m elevation. The moderate elevation make sites warmer and drier than most other Abies grandis associations. Soils are derived from volcanic ash and basalt parent materials and the surface layers are especially deep fine, sandy loams. The tree canopy is codominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies grandis, each of which attain about 22% cover. Abies grandis trees have grown in older stands following the advent of fire suppression earlier this century. Pinus ponderosa is also common but averages only 15% cover. Pinus contorta is abundant in fire initiated stands less than 100 years of age. The north-facing aspects moderate the moisture and temperature enough to allow occasional individuals of Larix occidentalis an Pinus monticola to grow despite being near the limits of their physiological tolerance. The dominant shrubs are Chrysolepis chrysophylla and Symphoricarpos mollis (or Symphoricarpos albus), each averaging about 5% cover. Rosa gymnocarpa and Chimaphila umbellata are also common. Acer circinatum is infrequent but may occur in large patches. Linnaea borealis is common in the herbaceous layer and may be extensive; it is often accompanied by Achlys triphylla and other herbs. Known stands are located in areas where heavy grazing by sheep occurred in the early 1900s. The floristics of this association may still be influenced by the selective overgrazing and soil compaction that occurred at that time. This association has more shrub cover, especially by Chrysolepis chrysophylla, than either ~Abies grandis / Linnaea borealis Forest (CEGL000275)$$ or ~Abies grandis - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Trientalis borealis ssp. latifolia Forest (CEGL000040)$$.
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 is a forest association dominated by a mix of evergreen needle-leaved tree species. Abies grandis is always present both in the canopy and as regeneration in the understory. Other common conifers include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa and Pinus contorta in fire-initiated stands <100 years old. A variety of shrub species are found, both tall and short, and average 40% cover. The most common are the broad-leaved evergreen Chrysolepis chrysophylla (= Castanopsis chrysophylla) and the deciduous Symphoricarpos albus or Symphoricarpos mollis and Rosa gymnocarpa. Acer circinatum is infrequent but can occur in dense patches. The low, creeping Linnaea borealis is common and may be extensive. The herbaceous layer has only moderate cover (generally <30%), with the perennial forbs Achlys triphylla and Hieracium albiflorum the most common and constant. Graminoid species are infrequent.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found on the eastern side of the Cascade Range crest in a region with a steep precipitation gradient created by topographic rainshadow effects. Temperatures are relatively warm and precipitation moderate (averages 147 cm annually); snow packs often persist into spring. This association occurs on moderate to somewhat steep, mid and upper slopes, from 975 to 1280 m elevation. Aspects are often northerly. Parent materials are volcanic ash over basalt, with fine sandy loam-textured ash dominating the surface layers. A1 horizons are deep, averaging 47 cm.
Geographic Range: The range of this association is apparently restricted to the southeast side of Mount Hood, and perhaps the east side of Jefferson Peak in Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683744
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.c Grand Fir - Douglas-fir East Cascades Forest Group | G212 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Alliance | A3583 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Mesic Cascadian Forest Alliance | A3583 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Association | CEGL000038 Grand Fir / Giant Chinquapin Forest | CEGL000038 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies grandis / Castanopsis chrysophylla (Topik et al. 1988) [(p.99)]
- 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.
- 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.
- Topik, C., N. M. Halverson, and T. High. 1988. Plant associations and management guide of the ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and grand fir zone, Mt. Hood National Forest. R6-ECOL-TP-004-88. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 136 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.