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CEGL000014 Abies lowiana - Pinus ponderosa / Amelanchier alnifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra White Fir - Ponderosa Pine / Saskatoon Serviceberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The association is found in south-central Oregon and possibly northeastern California, in mountains between 1525 and 1830 m in the Modoc Plateau - East Cascades ecoregion. These are open forests or occasionally woodlands characterized by large, widely spaced Pinus ponderosa trees. They occur on all aspects, slopes between 5-55%, primarily on flats or sideslopes. Pinus ponderosa dominates the open canopy, with between 2-50% cover. Abies lowiana ranges from 0-30% cover, while Calocedrus decurrens accounts for 0-10% of the cover. All three species are always found in the understory. Shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Ceanothus prostratus and Mahonia repens generally present, and with Ceanothus velutinus locally important. Poa wheeleri is the most important understory grass, but Festuca idahoensis and Arnica cordifolia may also be important. This association can be distinguished by the combination of Pinus ponderosa, Abies lowiana, and Calocedrus decurrens in the tree layer, and Amelanchier alnifolia present in the shrub layer. Similar Abies lowiana - Pinus ponderosa associations tend to have more closed canopies, and lack the three characteristic shrubs and Poa nervosa.
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: These are open forests or occasionally woodlands characterized by large, widely spaced Pinus ponderosa trees. They occur on all aspects, slopes between 5-55%, primarily on flats or sideslopes. Pinus ponderosa dominates the open canopy, with between 2-50% cover. Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) ranges from 0-30% cover, while Calocedrus decurrens accounts for 0-10% of the cover. All three species are always found in the understory. Shrubs occupy 20% of the cover, with Amelanchier alnifolia, Ceanothus prostratus and Mahonia repens generally present, and with Ceanothus velutinus locally important. Poa wheeleri (= Poa nervosa var. wheeleri) is the most important understory grass, but Festuca idahoensis and Arnica cordifolia may also be important. This association can be distinguished by the combination of Pinus ponderosa, Abies lowiana, and Calocedrus decurrens in the tree layer, and Amelanchier alnifolia present in the shrub layer. Similar Abies lowiana - Pinus ponderosa associations tend to have more closed canopies, and lack the three characteristic shrubs and Poa nervosa.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The association is found in south-central Oregon and possibly northeastern California, in mountains between 1525 and 1830 m in the Modoc Plateau - East Cascades ecoregion.
Geographic Range: The association is found in south-central Oregon and possibly northeastern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684070
Confidence Level: Low
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.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division | D192 | 1.B.2.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nd.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup | M023 | 1.B.2.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group | G344 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Alliance | A3677 Sierra White Fir - Ponderosa Pine Eastern Sierran Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3677 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL000014 Sierra White Fir - Ponderosa Pine / Saskatoon Serviceberry Forest | CEGL000014 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = White Fir - Lodgepole Pine - Incense Cedar / Serviceberry Association (Hopkins 1979a)
- 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.
- Hopkins, W. E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. Technical Report R6-ECOL-79-004. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.