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CEGL000487 Thuja plicata / Vaccinium membranaceum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Red-cedar / Thinleaf Huckleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is restricted to the continentally glaciated portions of Bailey''s Okanogan Highlands (M333A) in Washington and adjacent Idaho and British Columbia. It is a mid to upper elevation, large-patch to matrix community and is the highest elevation Thuja plicata type at 800-1580 m (2640-5180 feet). It is usually associated with a volcanic ash layer over glacial till or outwash deposits. Over half of soil samples had a shallow root-restrictive layer. Large hot fires typically preceded initiation of these communities, and repeated underburning occurs in some areas. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, and/or Pinus contorta dominate the upper tree canopy, which tends to be less than a closed canopy. The main canopy may or may not have Thuja plicata as a member, although it is always present in the lower canopy. Deciduous shrubs, typically around 1 m tall, characterize the undergrowth. Vaccinium membranaceum (most cover and always present), Rosa gymnocarpa, and Lonicera utahensis are the most common deciduous shrubs. Shorter evergreen shrubs or subshrubs Paxistima myrsinites, Mahonia aquifolium, or Linnaea borealis are usual members of the understory. Forbs are present but always in low cover. Viola orbiculata and Clintonia uniflora are the most frequently encountered. This is a mid-seral community type.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a community type described within a PNV-based classification. It is clearly stated that this is a seral community type on several association sites in two series. Thuja is in the understory in all stands (20 plots) used for description. The upper canopy is dominated by Pseudotsuga and/or Larix occidentalis with Abies grandis, Pinus contorta or Thuja in some stands. This represents an existing vegetation type with the proposed name of Pseudotsuga menziesii - (Thuja plicata) / Vaccinium membranaceum. Williams et al. (1990b) state that this is similar to (or included within) the Xerophyllum tenax phase of Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora (Cooper et al. 1987) and the Vaccinium globulare phase of Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora (Pfister et al. 1977). Following Kartesz (1999), Vaccinium membranaceum and Vaccinium globulare are synonyms.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, and/or Pinus contorta dominate the upper tree canopy, which tends to be less than a closed canopy. The main canopy may or may not have Thuja plicata as a member, although it is always present in the lower canopy. Deciduous shrubs, typically around 1 m tall, characterize the undergrowth. Vaccinium membranaceum (most cover and always present), Rosa gymnocarpa, and Lonicera utahensis are the most common deciduous shrubs. Shorter evergreen shrubs or subshrubs Paxistima myrsinites, Mahonia aquifolium, or Linnaea borealis are usual members of the understory. Forbs are present but always in low cover. Viola orbiculata and Clintonia uniflora are the most frequently encountered.
Dynamics: Large hot fires typically preceded initiation of these communities, and repeated underburning occurs in some areas.
Environmental Description: This is a mid to upper elevation, large-patch to matrix community and is the highest elevation Thuja plicata type at 800-1580 m (2640-5180 feet). It is usually associated with a volcanic ash layer over glacial till or outwash deposits. Over half of soil samples had a shallow root-restrictive layer.
Geographic Range: This is restricted to the continentally glaciated portions of Bailey''s Okanogan Highlands (M333A) or TNC''s Canadian Rocky Mountains (Ecoregion 7) with outliers in the Okanagan-Thompsen Plateau (Ecoregion 68) or Omernik''s level 4 Inland Maritime Zone ecoregion.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685118
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.b Western Red-cedar - Western Hemlock Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G217 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.b |
| Alliance | A3612 Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar Cool-Mesic Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3612 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL000487 Western Red-cedar / Thinleaf Huckleberry Forest | CEGL000487 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Vaccinium globulare Phase (Pfister et al. 1977)
? Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Xerophyllum tenax Phase (Cooper et al. 1987)
? Thuja plicata / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Xerophyllum tenax Phase (Cooper et al. 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]
- Kartesz, J. T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: J. T. Kartesz and C. A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC.
- 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.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Williams, C. K., B. F. Kelly, B. G. Smith, and T. R. Lillybridge. 1995. Forest plant associations of the Colville National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-360. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 140 pp.
- Williams, C. K., T. R. Lillybridge, and B. G. Smith. 1990b. Forested plant associations of the Colville National Forest. Report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 133 pp.