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CEGL000368 Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Revolute Hypnum Moss Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This coniferous forest association has been described as a minor forest type from about 2350-3200 m (7700-10,500 feet) elevation in the Owl Creek, southern Absaroka, and eastern Wind River mountains of west-central Wyoming, and from about 2225-2470 m (7300-8100 feet) elevation in the southern Lemhi and Beaverhead mountains of east-central Idaho. Stands of this type are small, being restricted to steep, north-facing slopes where snow persists late into the spring. The vegetation consists of a tree overstory with a very sparse undergrowth of vascular plants, and a ground covering of moss. Picea engelmannii is a major species in the tree overstory. In lower-elevation stands, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca often codominates, and at higher elevations, Pinus albicaulis may codominate. Shrubs, graminoids, and forbs are sparse, with the most common species being Shepherdia canadensis, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Juniperus communis, Arnica cordifolia, Orthilia secunda, and Poa wheeleri. The moss Hypnum revolutum is a common ground cover. Diagnostic of this association is the moderately dense coniferous tree canopy dominated or codominated by Picea engelmannii with a moss-dominated herbaceous layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is based on the description of the habitat type of the same name, which was, in turn, described from 8 stands throughout west-central Wyoming and 4 stands in east-central Idaho. This association may be included in Johnston''s (1987) Picea engelmannii / moss Plant Association, which includes stands in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Southern stands need to be compared to the northern stands to determine if they should all be classified as the same association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The tree canopy is codominated by Picea engelmannii (or Picea glauca) and Pseudotsuga menziesii. In lower-elevation stands, Pseudotsuga menziesii may dominate with lesser amounts of Picea engelmannii occurring throughout. Regeneration of both species is approximately equal in old-growth stands. Scattered Pinus flexilis trees are often present. In higher-elevation stands, Picea engelmannii dominates, occasionally codominating with Pinus albicaulis. Pseudotsuga menziesii is typically scarce. The moss Hypnum revolutum dominates the undergrowth. The foliose lichen Peltigera rufescens is usually present throughout the stand. If present, scattered shrubs, grasses and forbs may include Juniperus communis, Shepherdia canadensis, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Arnica cordifolia, Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), and Poa nervosa.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations range from 2230-3200 m. Stands are small, being restricted to steep slopes with northerly aspects. Deep snow accumulates at these sites in winter and persists well into spring. Parent materials are variable and include calcareous shale and sandstone, limestone, granite and volcanics such as rhyolite and andesite. Soils are variable depending on parent materials, but are generally rocky and are moist from snowmelt much of the growing season. The soil surface has a dense litter layer and little rock or bare soil.
Geographic Range: The geographic range of this association reaches from east-central Idaho eastward and southward to west-central Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO?, ID, MT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684569
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.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 | CEGL000368 Engelmann Spruce / Revolute Hypnum Moss Forest | CEGL000368 | 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: = Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum (Jones and Ogle 2000)
= Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
? Picea engelmannii / moss Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Picea engelmannii / Hypnum revolutum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
? Picea engelmannii / moss Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.