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CEGL000271 Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Cascade Barberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs in the eastern Cascades of Washington between Lake Chelan and Mount Adams on all aspects between 760-1100 m (2500-3600 feet) elevation. Two locally described associations, Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa and Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa / Calamagrostis rubescens, are included in this type. The former appears on midslopes on deeper soils with more volcanic ash and with more maritime climates than the latter, which is typically found on upper slopes. Pseudotsuga menziesii codominates the forest canopy with Abies grandis. Larix occidentalis, Pinus ponderosa or Pinus contorta can be members of the upper canopy. Abies grandis dominates the regeneration layers. A short-shrub layer (less than 1 m) with scattered forbs and graminoids typify the understory. The evergreen shrub Mahonia nervosa is found in all examples and usually the most abundant of several shrubs. Symphoricarpos mollis, Rosa gymnocarpa, Linnaea borealis, and Paxistima myrsinites are the most commonly associated shrubs. The graminoids Calamagrostis rubescens and Carex geyeri are the most abundant and frequent herbaceous species, although a few of several possible broad-leaved forb species are always present. Sampled stands are between 75 and 125 years old; the oldest stands are around 200 years old. This association includes Abies grandis forest with Mahonia nervosa well-represented in the understory without a dominant tall-shrub component (Acer circinatum primarily), and/or with an herbaceous layer that is not dominated by Achlys triphylla. This association is found on better drained uplands sites than sites with abundant Achlys triphylla. Spiraea lucida, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Festuca occidentalis are more common in this association than on sites with abundant Achlys triphylla.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: As referenced, this type includes some plots better aligned with ~Abies grandis / Achlys triphylla Forest (CEGL000268)$$ that are distributed south of the defined range near the Columbia River Gorge. As defined here, this association includes Abies grandis forest with Mahonia nervosa well-represented in the understory without a dominant tall-shrub component (Acer circinatum primarily), and/or with an herbaceous layer that is not dominated by Achlys triphylla. This association is found on better drained uplands sites than sites with abundant Achlys triphylla. Spiraea lucida, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Festuca occidentalis are more common in this association than on sites with abundant Achlys triphylla.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Pseudotsuga menziesii codominates the forest canopy with Abies grandis. Larix occidentalis, Pinus ponderosa or Pinus contorta can be members of the upper canopy. Abies grandis dominates the regeneration layers. A short-shrub layer (less than 1 m) with scattered forbs and graminoids typify the understory. The evergreen shrub Mahonia nervosa (= var. nervosa) is found in all examples and usually the most abundant of several shrubs. Symphoricarpos mollis, Rosa gymnocarpa, Linnaea borealis, and Paxistima myrsinites are the most commonly associated shrubs. The graminoids Calamagrostis rubescens and Carex geyeri are the most abundant and frequent herbaceous species, although a few of several possible broad-leaved forb species are always present. Sampled stands are between 75 and 125 years old; the oldest stands are around 200 years old. This association includes Abies grandis forest with Mahonia nervosa well-represented in the understory without a dominant tall-shrub component (Acer circinatum primarily), and/or with an herbaceous layer that is not dominated by Achlys triphylla. This association is found on better drained uplands sites than sites with abundant Achlys triphylla. Spiraea lucida (= Spiraea betulifolia var. lucida), Calamagrostis rubescens, and Festuca occidentalis are more common in this association than on sites with abundant Achlys triphylla.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association occurs in the eastern Cascades of Washington between Lake Chelan and Mount Adams on all aspects between 760-1100 m (2500-3600 feet) elevation. Two locally described associations, Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa and Abies grandis / Mahonia nervosa / Calamagrostis rubescens, are included in this type. The former appears on midslopes on deeper soils with more volcanic ash and with more maritime climates than the latter, which is typically found on upper slopes.
Geographic Range: This association is endemic to the eastern Cascades in Washington between Lake Chelan and Mount Adams.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683996
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | CEGL000271 Grand Fir / Cascade Barberry Forest | CEGL000271 | 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 / Berberis nervosa / Calamagrostis rubescens (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/BENE/CARU WEN ASSOCIATION CWS226]
? Abies grandis / Berberis nervosa (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/BENE ASSOCIATION CWS225]
? Abies grandis / Berberis nervosa (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/BENE ASSOCIATION CWS225]
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Williams, C. K., and B. G. Smith. 1990. Forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Unpublished draft prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 217 pp.