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CEGL000896 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Aspidotis densa Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Douglas-fir / Indian''s Dream Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This open woodland association has been described from the eastern side of the Cascade Range, a mountainous region in the rainshadow of the Cascade crest. Stands occur on very steep, southerly slopes below 760 m elevation. Sites are outcrops of serpentine. Soil parent material is colluvium derived from serpentine, mixed with either basalt or granite. The mixed colluvium probably partially explains the presence and dominance of Pseudotsuga menziesii. Soils are very stony and gravelly, and probably unstable due to the steep slopes. The upper vegetation canopy is often patchy and is dominated by the needle-leaved, evergreen tree Pseudotsuga menziesii, with a few individuals of Pinus ponderosa. Pseudotsuga menziesii is the only tree species regenerating in the understory. Several broad-leaved, low shrubs common to low-elevation forests are present (with low cover), including Spiraea betulifolia, Mahonia aquifolium, and Prunus emarginata. The moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata (averaging 20% cover), with the forbs Balsamorhiza sagittata and Achillea millefolium contributing another 10%. Several other herbaceous species occur with patchy distribution within stands, occasionally having as much as 15% cover. The fern Aspidotis densa is endemic to serpentine soils and usually present in stands of this association, and as such, is a reliable indicator species, although its cover is low.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is an open woodland association dominated by the needle-leaved evergreen tree Pseudotsuga menziesii, with a few individuals of Pinus ponderosa. Pseudotsuga is the only tree species regenerating. Several broad-leaved low shrubs common to low-elevation forests are present (with low cover), including Spiraea betulifolia, Mahonia aquifolium, and Prunus emarginata. The herbaceous layer has moderate cover. The perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata dominates (averaging 20% cover), with the forbs Balsamorhiza sagittata and Achillea millefolium contributing another 10%. The fern Aspidotis densa is present in most stands, is endemic to serpentine soils, and as such is a reliable indicator. Several other herbaceous species occur with patchy distribution within stands, occasionally having as much as 15% cover. Many rare or unusual plant species or varieties are often present on serpentine-derived substrates, many of them endemic to serpentine. None were specifically mentioned for this plant association, but the type is little studied and may have unusual taxa associated with it.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found on the eastern side of the Cascade Range, a mountainous region in the rainshadow of the Cascade crest. It occurs on very steep, southerly slopes below 760 m (2500 feet) elevation. Sites are outcrops of serpentine. Soil parent material is colluvium derived from serpentine, mixed with either basalt or granite. The mixed colluvium probably partially explains the presence and dominance of Pseudotsuga menziesii. Soils are very stony and gravelly, and probably unstable due to the steep slopes. These soils are unusual, having high concentrations of exchangeable magnesium, nickel and chromium, and low concentrations of calcium, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the eastern Cascades of Washington and is restricted to serpentine below 1065 m (3500 feet). Plots exist from Peshastin and Tumwater watersheds.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685358
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.2 Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir - Limber Pine Central Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Macrogroup | M501 | 1.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.2.b Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G210 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.b |
| Alliance | A3395 Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine / Herbaceous Understory Central Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A3395 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000896 Douglas-fir / Indian''s Dream Woodland | CEGL000896 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pseudotsuga menziesii / Agropyron spicatum - Aspidotis densa (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [PSME/AGSP-ASDE CDG323]
- 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.
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 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., and B. G. Smith. 1990. Forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Unpublished draft prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 217 pp.