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CEGL000802 Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Limber Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Rocky Mountain woodland is reported from New Mexico to Alberta. Stands are found on mid to upper to portions of steep to moderate slopes and ridgetops. Elevations range between 1385 and 3050 m (4540-10,000 feet). Sites are windswept and relatively dry, frequently with southerly aspects. Substrates are typically rocky, either bedrock outcrops, glacial till or colluvium. Substrate is often derived from calcareous substrates such as limestone and dolomite in the northern portion of the geographic range. The vegetation is characterized by an open tree canopy dominated or codominated by Pinus flexilis. Other tree species that may contribute to the canopy include Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea engelmannii, and occasionally Populus tremuloides. The understory is dominated by a dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Short-shrub Juniperus communis may be codominant to absent. Additional shrubs may be present with low cover. The herbaceous layer is variable in abundance but often is sparse. There is considerable bare ground, gravel and/or rock in this association.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This cool, dry plant association has a shrub dominated understory of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a low-growing shrub, and Juniperus communis. Herbs are generally scarce. Pinus ponderosa is absent or accidental.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There is overlap in concept between this association (CEGL000802) and ~Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000807)$$. Both associations include stands with woodland understory codominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Juniperus communis. Rangewide analysis and review of plots classified to both associations is needed to determine if these similar associations should be combined or somehow refined to better represent the vegetation structure of these stands that occur along the Rocky Mountain cordillera. See Achuff et al. (1997, 2002a) and Johnston (1987) for reviews of some of the pertinent literature.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This woodland association is characterized by an open tree canopy dominated or codominated by Pinus flexilis. Other tree species contributing to the canopy are Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Populus tremuloides, and Picea engelmannii. The understory is characterized by a dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The short shrub Juniperus communis may be codominant to absent. Additional shrubs may be present with low cover, including Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Amelanchier alnifolia, Mahonia repens, Rosa spp., Ribes spp., and Shepherdia canadensis. The herbaceous layer is variable in abundance but often is sparse. Species include Achillea millefolium, Carex rossii, Galium boreale, Festuca idahoensis, Festuca campestris, and Thermopsis divaricarpa.

Dynamics:  Pinus flexilis is well-adapted to surface fire when mature. It is thought that plant associations characterized by Pinus flexilis have relatively long fire-return intervals on the order of 50-100 years (Jones and Ogle 2000). Pinus flexilis is highly susceptible to white pine blister rust, which can decimate stands (Burns and Honkala 1990a). Although the above-ground Arctostaphylos uva-ursi plant is easily killed by fire, if the root crown (often at the surface) of the plant survives, sprouting from roots often occurs. Regeneration by seed is less common, but seeds may be fire-resistant (Crane 1991).
Environmental Description:  This woodland is reported from the southern and northern Rocky Mountains, apparently in two disjunct regions. Stands are found on mid to upper to portions of steep to moderate slopes and ridgetops. Many of these sites are windswept and exposed to wind-scouring and snow removal. Elevations range between 1385 and 3050 m (4540-10,000 feet); higher elevation occurrences are found farther south. Sites are windswept and relatively dry, frequently with southerly aspects. Substrates are typically rocky, either bedrock outcrops, glacial till or colluvium often derived from calcareous substrates such as limestone and dolomite. Exposed bedrock is common and many stands have over 50% bare soil.
Geographic Range: This Rocky Mountain woodland is reported in a disjunct pattern, from montane and subalpine elevations in New Mexico and Colorado, and Montana extending north into Alberta.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CO, MT, NM


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.e Limber Pine - Bristlecone Pine Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Woodland Group G221 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Alliance A0540 Limber Pine Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance A0540 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Association CEGL000802 Limber Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland CEGL000802 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Jones and Ogle 2000)
> Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
< Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a)
< Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
< Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice 1983)
= Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
> Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi type (Willoughby et al. 1998)
< Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
< Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< O27: Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi vegetation type (Achuff et al. 1997)
> O27: Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi vegetation type (Achuff et al. 2002)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz and S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-07-18
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