Print Report
CEGL000405 Picea (x albertiana, engelmannii) / Carex disperma Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Western White Spruce, Engelmann Spruce) / Softleaf Sedge Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is most prevalent in the Challis Volcanics and Beaverhead Mountains sections of east-central Idaho, occurring as stream terrace stringers from 1890 to 2380 m (6200-7800 feet) elevation. Within Montana, it is known from the Beaverhead Mountains section from the Centennial, East Pioneer and Ruby ranges. It extends northward as far as the Rocky Mountain Front Range (below 1525 m [5000 feet] elevation). Montana occurrences are associated with both stream terraces and side-hill seeps. It extends eastward to Province M331 as sporadic scattered occurrences in the Beartooth, Absaroka, and Wind River ranges, where it occupies stream terraces at the lower fringe of the Abies lasiocarpa series, between 2195 and 2410 m (7200-7900 feet). A perennially high water table and consequent deep organic layer (to 46 cm [18 inches]) characterize these sites. These sites often have a single-age structure with Picea (including Picea engelmannii and Picea x albertiana) dominant, though Pinus contorta and Abies lasiocarpa may be present as seral seedlings/saplings. Numerous wet- to mesic-site shrubs, graminoids and forbs may be present but the general aspect of high-quality stands is that of a Carex disperma sward and a pronounced layer of characteristic bryophytes (Aulacomnium palustre, Amblystegium serpens var. juratzkanum, and Tetraphis pellucida). This association may experience long fire-free intervals, but is only dependent upon such intervals in the case of providing adequate time for succession to result in Picea dominance when stands have been initiated with Pinus contorta. This association is similar to both ~Picea engelmannii / Equisetum arvense Swamp Forest (CEGL005927)$$ and ~Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Forest (CEGL002174)$$, but may be more continuously saturated and have deeper accumulations of organic matter.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: S.V. Cooper (MTNHP pers. comm.) has not seen pure populations of Picea glauca in Montana, Wyoming or Idaho, but has also conducted no exhaustive search for this taxon (nor has Cooper seen the results of the Picea glauca survey conducted by Moseley et al. (1991) in Idaho). Picea populations most closely approximating pure Picea glauca are almost invariably found in riparian or wetland habitats. Hansen et al. (1995) appear to have included some stands of this type within their Picea / Galium triflorum habitat type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands often have a single-age structure with Picea (including Picea engelmannii and Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) hybrids) dominant, though Pinus contorta and Abies lasiocarpa may be present as seral seedlings/saplings. Numerous wet- to mesic-site shrubs, graminoids and forbs may be present but the general aspect of high-quality stands is that of a Carex disperma sward and a pronounced layer of characteristic bryophytes (Aulacomnium palustre, Amblystegium serpens var. juratzkanum (= Amblystegium juratzkanum), and Tetraphis pellucida).
Dynamics: This association may experience long fire-free intervals, but is only dependent upon such intervals in the case of providing adequate time for succession to result in Picea dominance when stands have been initiated with Pinus contorta.
Environmental Description: This association is most prevalent in the Challis Volcanics and Beaverhead Mountains sections of east-central Idaho, occurring as stream terrace stringers from 1890 to 2380 m (6200-7800 feet) elevation. Within Montana, it is known from the Beaverhead Mountains section from the Centennial, East Pioneer and Ruby ranges. It extends northward as far as the Rocky Mountain Front Range (below 1525 m [5000 feet] elevation). Montana occurrences are associated with both stream terraces and side-hill seeps. It extends eastward to Province M331 as sporadic scattered occurrences in the Beartooth, Absaroka, and Wind River ranges, where it occupies stream terraces at the lower fringe of the Abies lasiocarpa series, between 2195 and 2410 m (7200-7900 feet). A perennially high water table and consequent deep organic layer (to 46 cm [18 inches]) characterize these sites.
Geographic Range: This association ranges from lower-subalpine environments (lower limits of Picea or Abies lasiocarpa distribution) to the mid-subalpine elevations. Its presence is dictated not so much by existing macroclimate but by high water tables and probably by early post-Pleistocene climates (in the case of populations with more introgression of Picea glauca). The type is apparently cold-limited, not occurring as in upper elevation riparian zones. It is known from Idaho, Montana and possibly Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684015
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.b Western Red-cedar - Engelmann Spruce / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G505 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3775 Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance | A3775 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000405 (Western White Spruce, Engelmann Spruce) / Softleaf Sedge Swamp Forest | CEGL000405 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Picea / Galium triflorum habitat type (Hansen et al. 1995)
= Picea engelmannii / Carex disperma Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Picea engelmannii / Carex disperma Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
= Picea engelmannii / Carex disperma Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Picea engelmannii / Carex disperma Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- 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.
- Moseley, R. K., R. J. Bursik, and M. Manusco. 1991. Floristic inventory of wetlands in Fremont and Teton counties, Idaho. Unpublished report on file IDCDC Department of Fish & Game, Boise, ID. 60 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.
- Steele, R., S. V. Cooper, D. M. Ondov, D. W. Roberts, and R. D. Pfister. 1983. Forest habitat types of eastern Idaho - western Wyoming. General Technical Report INT-144. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 122 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.