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CEGL000341 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium membranaceum Rocky Mountain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Thinleaf Huckleberry Rocky Mountain Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a cool and moderately moist forest, known from southwestern Montana, northern and eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah. Rocky Mountain is in the name to distinguish it from similar types in the Cascades and on the Olympic Peninsula. This association occurs generally on north- and northeast-facing slopes, although it has been documented to occur on any aspect. Slopes are gentle to quite steep, and it can occur on flat cool benches. Elevational range is 1680 to 2685 m (5500-8800 feet). Soils are acidic, well-drained to moderately well-drained gravelly loams to gravelly clays. This forest is dominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory tree canopy. We exclude stands dominated in the overstory canopy by Pinus contorta or Pseudotsuga menziesii that may have Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the subcanopy. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii combined cover occupies at least 25% of the overstory canopy in mixed conifer stands. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii create a codominant canopy. Occasionally Abies lasiocarpa is present only in the subcanopy, with Picea engelmannii the dominant overstory conifer. Other conifers often present include Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Pinus albicaulis, Larix occidentalis, and Picea glauca can occur in stands in the northern part of its range. Shrub canopy is 1-2 feet tall, dominated by discontinuous to continuous cover of Vaccinium membranaceum. Vaccinium scoparium may be present in near equal amounts. This association is differentiated from similar types by a lack of Xerophyllum tenax (although it may be present, it is never abundant) and clear dominance of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory canopy.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: We exclude stands dominated by Pinus contorta or Pseudotsuga menziesii that may have Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the subcanopy. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii combined cover occupies at least 25% of the overstory canopy in mixed conifer stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest is dominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory tree canopy. We exclude stands dominated by Pinus contorta or Pseudotsuga menziesii that may have Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the subcanopy. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii combined cover occupies at least 25% of the overstory canopy in mixed conifer stands. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii create a codominant canopy. Occasionally Abies lasiocarpa is present only in the subcanopy, with Picea engelmannii the dominant overstory conifer. Other conifers often present include Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus albicaulis, Larix occidentalis, and Picea glauca. Shrub canopy is 1-2 feet tall, dominated by discontinuous to continuous cover of Vaccinium membranaceum. Vaccinium scoparium may be present in near equal amounts. Other shrubs often present include Lonicera utahensis, Juniperus communis, Sorbus scopulina, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, and Paxistima myrsinites. The herbaceous cover is depauperate, with Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, and Carex rossii the most common graminoids. Common forbs include Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, and Pedicularis racemosa. This association is differentiated from similar types by a lack of Xerophyllum tenax (although it may be present, it is never abundant) and clear dominance of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the overstory canopy.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs generally on north- and northeast-facing slopes, although it has been documented to occur on any aspect. Slopes are gentle to quite steep. It can occur on flat cool benches. Elevational range is 1737 to 2680 m (5500-8800 feet). Soils are acidic, well-drained to moderately well-drained gravelly loams to gravelly clays.
Geographic Range: This association is known from eastern and northern Idaho, western Wyoming, southwestern Montana, and northern Utah. It may also occur in Washington but has not yet been documented there.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, OR, UT, WA?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684495
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.c Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Mountain Hemlock Moist Forest & Woodland Group | G218 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Alliance | A3614 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A3614 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL000341 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Thinleaf Huckleberry Rocky Mountain Forest | CEGL000341 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa / Ledum glandulosum - Vaccinium scoparium Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984) [(p.43)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Cooper 1975) [(p.63)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.97) in concept. All 21 plots would fit our Pinus contorta / Vaccinium membranaceum, as no Abies lasiocarpa is present (!). A possible a typo in the stand table?]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.50)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984) [(p.43)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Cooper 1975) [(p.63)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.97) in concept. All 21 plots would fit our Pinus contorta / Vaccinium membranaceum, as no Abies lasiocarpa is present (!). A possible a typo in the stand table?]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.50)]
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