Print Report
CEGL000281 Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic region of the northern Rocky Mountains from northeastern Oregon and Idaho. Ecoregional sections primarily include the Blue Mountains, Idaho Batholith and possibly the Bitterroot Mountains. The association represents the warmest and driest extreme for the occurrence of Abies grandis. Stands occur on gentle to moderately steep, south- to west-facing bench, lower- and upper-slope positions at 975-1950 m (3200-6400 feet) elevation. Soil parent materials are basalt, loess-ash, and (more rarely) granite. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa are often dominant in early- and mid-seral stands. These fire-resistant species persist in the forest overstory and provide important large diameter stem structure in mid- and late-seral stands. Stands are characterized by an open, low-shrub sward dominated by Spiraea betulifolia. Symphoricarpos albus is usually well-represented. Calamagrostis rubescens is often well-represented to abundant. Arnica cordifolia, Chimaphila umbellata, Fragaria vesca, and Osmorhiza berteroi are commonly associated herbaceous species. Historic disturbance regimes in these stands were primarily frequent low- to moderate-intensity fire.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The association is described by Steele et al. (1981), Cooper et al. (1987), and Johnson and Simon (1987) from stands (28 plots) located in the Idaho Batholith, Blue Mountains, and Bitterroot Mountains ecoregional sections. Lillybridge et al. (1995) describe a similar association from the eastern slopes of the southern Cascades in Washington, Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia / Pteridium aquilinum. Though species composition is similar, Paxistima myrsinites is usually well-represented, and Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia / Pteridium aquilinum is typically located on deep pumice soils. Hall (1973) has a mixed conifer-pinegrass community type in the Oregon Blue Mountains which is similar to this type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This type is dominated by Abies grandis and Pseudotsuga menziesii in the tree layer. Cooper et al. (1987) state that this type represents the warm, dry extremes of the Abies grandis series, and undoubtedly extends to the lower elevational limits of the series. This is reflected in frequent underburnings which have maintained a high composition of Pinus ponderosa as well as Pseudotsuga. Pinus contorta becomes an important seral tree when occurrences are on benchlands. The understory is dominated by the low shrubs Spiraea betulifolia and Symphoricarpos albus. Rosa gymnocarpa is also a common low shrub. Amelanchier alnifolia is a commonly present tall shrub which may have a fairly high cover value in early seral stages (Johnson and Simon 1987). Calamagrostis rubescens can attain high cover values and form a dense sod, especially on disturbed sites. Steele et al. (1981) state that Arnica cordifolia and Chimaphila umbellata may dominate the undergrowth. Fragaria vesca and Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis) are commonly associated herbaceous species.
Dynamics: Dry summer thunderstorms which characterize the climate of this type''s occurrence create a severe fire hazard when coupled with high levels of ladder fuels which accumulate in the absence of fire. Repetitive underburning will promote ponderosa pine with a low shrub-pinegrass understory and make grand fir and Douglas-fir regeneration difficult.
There is a high risk of attack by mistletoe and high foliar insects in this type (Johnson and Simon 1987).
The high clay content of the soils in this type limits operability.
There is a high risk of attack by mistletoe and high foliar insects in this type (Johnson and Simon 1987).
The high clay content of the soils in this type limits operability.
Environmental Description: This type is located on steep, south- to west-facing upper slopes, toeslopes, footslopes and benches between 854-1951 m (2800-6400 fee) elevation. Soils are relatively deep, 45.7-66.0 cm (18-26 inches) in northern Idaho (Cooper et al. 1987), moderately gravelly and slightly acidic with a high clay content and high water-holding capacity. The soils tend to be noncalcareous, basalts, or granitics. Johnson and Simon (1987) state that the soils of this type may be among the least ash-influenced of all soils supporting grand fir communities.
Geographic Range: This type is found in central and northern Idaho and northeastern Oregon. It occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic region of the northern Rocky Mountains. Occurrences are known primarily from the southeastern Wallow Mountains, Seven Devil, and western Salmon River Mountains within the Blue Mountains and Idaho Batholith ecoregional sections.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683833
Confidence Level: High
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 | CEGL000281 Grand Fir / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Forest | CEGL000281 | 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 / Spiraea betulifolia var. lucida / Pteridium aquilinum (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/SPBEL/PTAQ COMMUNITY TYPE CWS335]
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia (Clausnitzer 1993)
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in the Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Coeur d''Alene national forests of northern Idaho between 850 and 1585 m (2800-5200 feet).]
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [found in central Idaho between 1310 and 1950 m (4300-6400 feet).]
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987) [found in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest of northeastern Oregon between 975 and 1400 m (3200-4600 feet).]
= Pseudotsuga menziesii-Abies grandis/Spiraea betulifolia Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia (Clausnitzer 1993)
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in the Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Coeur d''Alene national forests of northern Idaho between 850 and 1585 m (2800-5200 feet).]
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [found in central Idaho between 1310 and 1950 m (4300-6400 feet).]
= Abies grandis / Spiraea betulifolia Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987) [found in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest of northeastern Oregon between 975 and 1400 m (3200-4600 feet).]
= Pseudotsuga menziesii-Abies grandis/Spiraea betulifolia Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
- 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.
- Clausnitzer, R. R. 1993. The grand fir series of northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington: Successional stages and management guide. Technical Report R6-ECO-TP-050-93. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 193 pp. plus appendices.
- 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]
- Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Rust, S. K. 2000. Representativeness assessment of research natural areas on National Forest System lands in Idaho. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-45. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 129 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.