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CEGL000135 Pinus contorta / Arnica cordifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Heartleaf Leopardbane Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zone of the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Stands typically occur on cool, dry sites on gentle to moderate slopes with variable aspects depending on elevation. Soils are well-drained, gravelly loams, silts or silty clay loams generally derived from acidic, noncalcareous parent materials. Ground cover is mostly litter, often with duff over 3 cm deep, but bare ground and rock cover may be significant in some stands (to 20% cover). The vegetation is characterized by a Pinus contorta-dominated tree canopy with Arnica cordifolia dominant in the understory. The tree canopy varies from moderately dense to nearly closed (40-90% cover) and is often solely dominated by Pinus contorta. However, in some stands scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus albicaulis, Pinus flexilis, Populus tremuloides, or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees may be present, especially in the subcanopy. Stands generally have a depauperate understory, which may include sparse shrub layers composed of scattered tree saplings, Ribes lacustre, Shepherdia canadensis, or Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Vaccinium scoparium is absent or rare. Arnica cordifolia (indicator species) generally dominates in the sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer. Other frequent herbs include Antennaria racemosa, Astragalus miser, Chamerion angustifolium, Orthilia secunda, and Thalictrum occidentale.
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: This forest association is characterized by a Pinus contorta-dominated tree canopy with Arnica cordifolia dominant in the understory. The tree canopy varies from moderately dense to nearly closed (40-90% cover) and is often solely dominated by Pinus contorta. However, in some stands scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus albicaulis, Pinus flexilis, Populus tremuloides, or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees may be present, especially in the subcanopy. Stands generally have a depauperate understory, which may include sparse shrub layers composed of scattered tree saplings, Ribes lacustre, Shepherdia canadensis, or Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Vaccinium scoparium is absent or rare. Arnica cordifolia (indicator species) generally dominates in the sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer. Other frequent herbs include Antennaria racemosa, Astragalus miser, Chamerion angustifolium, Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), and Thalictrum occidentale.
Dynamics: The dominance of Pinus contorta in stands in this association is related to fire history and topo-edaphic conditions (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983, Cooper et al. 1987). Following stand-replacing fires, Pinus contorta will rapidly colonize and develop into dense stands of even-aged trees. Over time, many of these stands can succeed to dominance by other, more shade-tolerant conifer species. Most forests in this association are early- to mid-successional forests which developed following fires and are considered seral to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Arnica cordifolia Forest (CEGL000298)$$ and ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arnica cordifolia Forest (CEGL000427)$$ (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983). However, other stands have a canopy that is dominated by more persistent Pinus contorta that is successfully regenerating, especially on gentle to moderate slopes near treeline, where Pinus contorta better tolerates the high daily extremes in temperate (Pfister and Daubenmire 1975, Steele et al. 1983). These stands generally have only scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Picea glauca, Pinus albicaulis, or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees.
Environmental Description: This association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zone of the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 2255 to 2926 m (7400-9600 feet) in northwestern Wyoming, east-central Idaho and western Montana, and is more common near and east of the Continental Divide. It typically occurs on cool, dry sites on gentle to moderate slopes with variable aspects depending on elevation. Soils are well-drained, gravelly loams, silts or silty clay loams generally derived from acidic, noncalcareous parent materials such as quartzite, granite, andesite, dacite, trachyte, latite, and quartz monzonite (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983). Ground cover is mostly litter, often with duff over 3 cm deep, but bare ground and rock cover may be significant in some stands (to 20% cover).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zone of the central and northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684389
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
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.a Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G220 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Alliance | A3366 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A3366 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000135 Lodgepole Pine / Heartleaf Leopardbane Forest | CEGL000135 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Arnica cordifolia Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type Arnica cordifolia Phase (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type, Astragalus miser Phase (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Thalictrum occidentale Habitat Type, Arnica cordifolia Phase (Cooper 1975)
= Pinus contorta / Arnica cordifolia Community Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type Arnica cordifolia Phase (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Arnica cordifolia Habitat Type, Astragalus miser Phase (Steele et al. 1983) [Seral stands dominated by Pinus contorta with the understory dominated by Arnica cordifolia.]
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Thalictrum occidentale Habitat Type, Arnica cordifolia Phase (Cooper 1975)
= Pinus contorta / Arnica cordifolia Community 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.
- Cooper, S. V. 1975. Forest habitat types of northwestern Wyoming and contiguous portion of Montana and Idaho. Unpublished dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman. 190 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 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.
- 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.
- Pfister, R. D., and R. Daubenmire. 1975. Ecology of lodgepole pine. Pages 27-46 in: D. M. Baumgartner, editor. Management of Lodgepole Pine Ecosystems Symposium proceedings. Washington State University, Pullman.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.