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CEGL000762 Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bristlecone Pine / Alpine Clover Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is known only from the southern Arapaho National Forest in north-central Colorado, in the Front Range west of Denver. This association occurs from 3430 to 3550 m (11,240-11,645 feet) elevation, just below timberline, on moderate to steep slopes of varying aspects. Sites can be characterized as harsh and xeric, with desiccating winds and broadly fluctuating temperatures. Soils are derived primarily from granitic parent materials. They are minimally developed Typic Cryorthents: shallow, coarse-textured (sandy loams), and with rocks on the surface. This is a woodland association dominated by the evergreen needle-leaved tree Pinus aristata, averaging 40-50% cover. Picea engelmannii, another coniferous tree, is present as scattered individuals. Seedlings and saplings of either species are infrequent and shrubs are absent from most stands. The herbaceous understory layer is moderately sparse, with total cover averaging <20%. The perennial forb Trifolium dasyphyllum clearly dominates, with 10-12% cover. The remaining herbaceous species are a mix of perennial graminoids and forbs; important species include the graminoids Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex siccata, Festuca brachyphylla, and Trisetum spicatum, and the forbs Achillea millefolium, Arenaria fendleri, Penstemon whippleanus, Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum, Sedum stenopetalum, and Solidago simplex.
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 a woodland association dominated by the evergreen needle-leaved tree Pinus aristata, averaging 40-50% cover. Picea engelmannii, another coniferous tree, is present as scattered individuals. Seedlings and saplings of either species are infrequent, and shrubs are absent from most stands. The herbaceous understory layer is moderately sparse, with total cover averaging <20%. The perennial forb Trifolium dasyphyllum clearly dominates, with 10-12% cover. The remaining herbaceous species are a mix of perennial graminoids and forbs; important species include the graminoids Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex siccata (= Carex foenea), Festuca brachyphylla, and Trisetum spicatum, and the forbs Achillea millefolium, Arenaria fendleri, Penstemon whippleanus, Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum (= Polemonium delicatum), Sedum stenopetalum, and Solidago simplex.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This type occurs at upper timberline in a high-elevation, mountainous region. The Front Range is a mosaic of vault-bounded and uplifted blocks of Pre-Cambrian granites, schists and gneisses. Climate is inland continental and strongly controlled by topographic variation. Generally, precipitation probably averages 76 to 100 cm (30-40 inches) annually, much of it falling as winter and spring snows; temperatures are cold in the winter. This association occurs from 3425 to 3550 m (11,240-11,645 feet) elevation, just below timberline, on moderate to steep slopes of varying aspects. Sites can be characterized as harsh and xeric, with desiccating winds and broadly fluctuating temperatures. Soils are derived primarily from granitic parent materials. They are minimally developed Typic Cryorthents: shallow, coarse-textured (sandy loams), and with rocks on the surface.
Geographic Range: This association is limited to the higher slopes of the southern Rockies in Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685793
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | A0537 Bristlecone Pine Woodland Alliance | A0537 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.e |
| Association | CEGL000762 Bristlecone Pine / Alpine Clover Woodland | CEGL000762 | 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 aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Pinus aristata / Trifolium dasyphyllum 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.
- Brunstein, C. R., and D. K. Yamaguchi. 1992. The oldest known Rocky Mountain bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata Engelm.). Arctic and Alpine Research 24:253-256.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Hess, K. 1981. Phyto-edaphic study of habitat types of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 558 pp.
- Hess, K., and R. R. Alexander. 1986. Forest vegetation of the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests in northcentral Colorado: A habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-266. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 48 pp.
- 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.
- Shepherd, H. R. 1975. Vegetation of two dissimilar bighorn sheep ranges in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife Report 4. 223 pp.
- Wasser, C. H., and K. Hess. 1982. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A synthesis. Final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.