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CEGL008690 Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Carex rossii Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Ross'' Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is currently only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are found at high elevations (2740-3020 m [9000-9900 feet]) on flat to steep, upper portions of slopes (0-40°). Slopes generally are concave in shape. Aspect is relatively cool and shady and ranges from east to north. These sites are typically on poorly developed to moderately well-developed soils with textures ranging from rocky to rocky, gravelly, sandy loam. These soils are well-drained to moderately well-drained and depths are shallow to deep. Parent material is granitic. Fire is uncommon and restricted in size. This type and many of the high-elevation conifer types are extremely limited in extent on the east side due to harsh environmental conditions including relatively low precipitation and cold. Stands form sparse to moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana and Pinus contorta in the overstory. Occasionally, Pinus albicaulis is found contributing to minor cover in the tree layer. Carex rossii is characteristic in the understory for usually low cover. There is a variety of understory species that may contribute minor cover including Juncus sp., Phyllodoce breweri, Carex sp., Pinus monticola, Salix sp., Cassiope mertensiana, Holodiscus discolor, Poa secunda, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii, Lupinus covillei, Carex leporinella, Senecio triangularis, and Salix lemmonii.
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: Stands form sparse to moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana and Pinus contorta in the overstory. Occasionally, Pinus albicaulis is found contributing to minor cover in the tree layer. Carex rossii is characteristic in the understory for usually low cover. There is a variety of understory species that may contribute minor cover including Juncus sp., Phyllodoce breweri, Carex sp., Pinus monticola, Salix sp., Cassiope mertensiana, Holodiscus discolor, Poa secunda, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii (= Lupinus lepidus var. lobbii), Lupinus covillei, Carex leporinella, Senecio triangularis, and Salix lemmonii.
Dynamics: Fire is uncommon and restricted in size.
Environmental Description: Stands are found at high elevations (2740-3020 m [9000-9900 feet]) on flat to steep, upper portions of slopes (0-40°). Slopes generally are concave in shape. Aspect is relatively cool and shady and ranges from east to north. These sites are typically on poorly developed to moderately well-developed soils with textures ranging from rocky to rocky, gravelly, sandy loam. These soils are well-drained to moderately well-drained and depths are shallow to deep. Parent material is granitic. This type and many of the high-elevation conifer types are extremely limited in extent on the east side due to harsh environmental conditions including relatively low precipitation and cold.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from Yosemite National Park. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684338
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.4 California Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Forest Macrogroup | M025 | 1.B.2.Nd.4 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock Forest Group | G749 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Alliance | A3620 Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Sierran Forest Alliance | A3620 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008690 Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Ross'' Sedge Forest | CEGL008690 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [84.100.15]
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Carex rossii Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
< Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Carex rossii Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
< Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 2002. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. August 2002.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.