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CEGL000298 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Arnica cordifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Heartleaf Leopardbane Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This cool and moist forest association is known from northern Nevada, eastern Idaho, southwestern and central Montana, and western and north-central Wyoming. This is a cool and moist forest on gentle to moderate terrain, bench-like uplands, often on north-facing slopes but can occur on any aspect. It occurs between 2105 and 2900 m (6900-9500 feet) in elevation. The overstory canopy is thick with mostly Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory canopy. Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii are often present. Shrub cover is low and scattered, with the exception of Shepherdia canadensis, which can have as much as 10% cover, and was indicated as present in a least some plots by all authors. Other shrubs that may be present include Ribes montigenum, Paxistima myrsinites, and Rosa spp. The herbaceous layer is not abundant; Arnica cordifolia is the most consistently present forb with about 10-15% cover on average. A wide variety of other herbaceous species may be present, but none with any consistency. Arnica latifolia can be difficult to distinguish from Arnica cordifolia. The leaves on flowering stems of Arnica latifolia are largest toward the middle and are short-petioled to sessile, whereas those of Arnica cordifolia are largest near the base and are distinctly petiolate. Arnica latifolia is restricted to relatively moist sites; Arnica cordifolia occurs on many dry forest sites.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Youngblood and Mueggler (1981) describe a Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type that is strongly codominated by the two tree species. No Populus tremuloides is present in the studies describing this association (CEGL0000298). Arnica latifolia can be difficult to distinguish from Arnica cordifolia. The leaves on flowering stems of Arnica latifolia are largest toward the middle and are short-petioled to sessile, whereas those of Arnica cordifolia are largest near the base and are distinctly petiolate. Arnica latifolia is restricted to relatively moist sites; Arnica cordifolia occurs on many dry forest sites.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory canopy is thick with mostly Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory canopy. Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii are often present. Shrub cover is low and scattered, with the exception of Shepherdia canadensis, which can have as much as 10% cover, and was indicated as present in a least some plots by all authors. Other shrubs that may be present include Ribes montigenum, Paxistima myrsinites, and Rosa spp. The herbaceous layer is not abundant; Arnica cordifolia is the most consistently present forb with about 10-15% cover on average. A wide variety of other herbaceous species may be present, but none with any consistency.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This is a cool and moist forest on gentle to moderate terrain, bench-like uplands, often on north-facing slopes but can occur on any aspect. It occurs between 2100 and 3000 m (6900-9500 feet) in elevation. Soils are derived from a variety of parent materials, from granitic to limestones. One soil profile indicated a deep, dark brown, silty loam layer.
Geographic Range: This association is known from northern Nevada, eastern Idaho, southwestern and central Montana, and western and north-central Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, NV, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684138
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Lodgepole Pine Dry-Mesic Forest & Woodland Group | G219 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Alliance | A3643 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Forest Alliance | A3643 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL000298 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Heartleaf Leopardbane Forest | CEGL000298 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia (Jones and Fertig 1998a)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia (Jones and Ogle 2000)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1976) [(p.20)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.103)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.61)]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b) [(p.36)]
= Abies lasiocarpa stands of the Jarbridge, Independence, and Bull Run mountains (Loope 1969) [(pp. 122, 129, 136) Loop doesn''t name community or habitat types but describes the vegetation with 2500 sqm plots. 4 plots from the Jarbridge, 4 from the Independence Mountains and 1 from the Bull Run Mountains. All plots are described as having Abies lasiocarpa the dominant species (roughly 30% cover) with some Pinus albicaulis mixed in (roughly 10%) and 100% constancy for Arnica cordifolia, average cover about 5%. Percent cover of the trees is estimated by Global description author from Figure 26 (and to scale maps of plot) (p.125).]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia (Jones and Ogle 2000)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1976) [(p.20)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.103)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.61)]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b) [(p.36)]
= Abies lasiocarpa stands of the Jarbridge, Independence, and Bull Run mountains (Loope 1969) [(pp. 122, 129, 136) Loop doesn''t name community or habitat types but describes the vegetation with 2500 sqm plots. 4 plots from the Jarbridge, 4 from the Independence Mountains and 1 from the Bull Run Mountains. All plots are described as having Abies lasiocarpa the dominant species (roughly 30% cover) with some Pinus albicaulis mixed in (roughly 10%) and 100% constancy for Arnica cordifolia, average cover about 5%. Percent cover of the trees is estimated by Global description author from Figure 26 (and to scale maps of plot) (p.125).]
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Hoffman, G. R., and R. R. Alexander. 1976. Forest vegetation of the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming: A habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-170. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 38 pp.
- Jones, G. P., and W. Fertig. 1998a. Ecological evaluation of the Mann Creek potential Research Natural Area within the Bighorn National Forest, Sheridan County, Wyoming. Prepared for the Bighorn National Forest, USDA Forest Service by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. 91 pp.
- Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
- Komarkova, V. K., R. R. Alexander, and B. C. Johnston. 1988b. Forest vegetation of the Gunnison and parts of the Uncompahgre national forests: A preliminary habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-163. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 65 pp.
- Loope, L. L. 1969. Subalpine and alpine vegetation of northeastern Nevada. Unpublished thesis, Duke University, Durham, NC.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Reed, R. M. 1969. A study of forest vegetation in the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming. Unpublished dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman. 77 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.
- Youngblood, A. P., and W. F. Mueggler. 1981. Aspen community types on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. Research Paper INT-272. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 34 pp.