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CEGL000289 Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Rocky Mountain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Thinleaf Huckleberry Rocky Mountain Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic regions of the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho and is centered in the Idaho Batholith and Blue Mountains ecoregional sections. Stands are located on moist, north- to east-facing slopes and benches at 1370-1980 m (4500-6500 feet) elevation. Loam soils are derived from basalt and granitic parent materials. The association represents the coolest extreme of sites with potential for Abies grandis establishment. Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Picea engelmannii are predominant seral species. Vaccinium membranaceum forms a patchy medium shrub sward. Lonicera utahensis is usually present and often well-represented. Relatively constant forbs include Arnica cordifolia, Thalictrum occidentale, Carex rossii, Moehringia macrophylla, Chimaphila umbellata, Orthilia secunda, and Trillium ovatum. The association is similar to ~Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Forest (CEGL000290)$$, which is described from the south-central Cascade Range and Blue, Ochoco, and Wallowa mountains. ~Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Rocky Mountain Forest (CEGL000289)$$ is the easternmost manifestation of Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum communities. The association is differentiated on the basis of the dominance in the Rocky Mountain form of Vaccinium membranaceum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The association is described by Steele et al. (1981) from 12 stands. The association represents the easternmost manifestation of Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum communities. The association is differentiated on the basis of the dominance in the Rocky Mountain form of Vaccinium membranaceum. Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum communities have also been described by Johnson and Clausnitzer (1992) and Johnson and Simon (1987) for sites in the Ochoco, Blue, and Wallowa mountains of Oregon. This association potentially could occur in Oregon or Washington.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Picea engelmannii are predominant seral species. Vaccinium membranaceum forms a patchy medium shrub sward. Lonicera utahensis is usually present and often well-represented. Relatively constant forbs include Arnica cordifolia, Thalictrum occidentale, Carex rossii, Moehringia macrophylla, Chimaphila umbellata, Orthilia secunda, and Trillium ovatum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic regions of the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho and is centered in the Idaho Batholith and Blue Mountains ecoregional sections. Stands are located on moist, north- to east-facing slopes and benches at 1370-1980 m (4500-6500 feet) elevation. Loam soils are derived from basalt and granitic parent materials. The association represents the coolest extreme of sites with potential for Abies grandis establishment.
Geographic Range: This northern Rocky Mountain association occurs in Idaho and is known from the eastern and western portions, respectively, of the Blue Mountains and Idaho Batholith ecoregion sections (an area >100 but <10,000 square miles).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684579
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.3 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir - Western Larch Mesic Lower Montane Forest Macrogroup | M500 | 1.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G211 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3362 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3362 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL000289 Grand Fir / Thinleaf Huckleberry Rocky Mountain Forest | CEGL000289 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies grandis / Vaccinium globulare Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
= Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992)
= Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Association (Johnson and Simon 1987)
= Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992)
= Abies grandis / Vaccinium membranaceum Association (Johnson and Simon 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.
- 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]
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.