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CEGL000424 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Douglas-fir / Kinnikinnick Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This minor forest association occupies mid to upper montane elevation in the northern and southern Rocky Mountains occurring in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Alberta, Canada. Elevation ranges from 1400-1785 m (4600-5855 feet) in the north to 2440-3020 m (8000-9900 feet) in the southern range. Sites are warm and dry, often occurring on southerly aspects or ridgetops. Substrates are typically rocky, coarse-textured soils derived from a variety of parent materials, including calcareous and noncalcareous rock. Pseudotsuga menziesii is the dominant tree species in the overstory and often in the understory as well. Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, Juniperus scopulorum, or Pinus strobiformis (in New Mexico) may be present to codominant. The low-shrub layer is dominated by large patches of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Juniperus communis. Other shrubs may include scattered Spiraea betulifolia, Shepherdia canadensis, or Symphoricarpos spp. The herbaceous cover is generally low and dominated by graminoids. Forb species typically provide low cover but may be diverse.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a low-growing shrub, ranges from 25%-70% canopy coverage, and generally is the sole dominant understory species. Populus tremuloides may be a long-term seral component in the stand.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Sites may be too warm and dry for Pseudotsuga menziesii throughout its range, which may help explain the disjunct occurrences in the southern and northern Rocky Mountains. There also may be confusion with ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Juniperus communis Forest (CEGL000439)$$. This association tends towards having an open-tree canopy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest association is dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii in the overstory tree canopy and often in the understory as well. Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, Juniperus scopulorum, or Pinus strobiformis (in New Mexico) may be present to codominant. The low-shrub layer is dominated by large patches of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Juniperus communis. Other shrubs may include scattered Spiraea betulifolia, Shepherdia canadensis, or Symphoricarpos spp. The herbaceous cover is generally low and dominated by graminoids such as Bromus ciliatus, Carex spp., Festuca idahoensis, Festuca campestris (= Festuca scabrella), and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Forb species typically provide low cover but may be diverse and include Achillea millefolium, Allium cernuum, Arnica cordifolia, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Lupinus spp., and Galium spp.
Dynamics: Extensive, severe fires in this plant association in New Mexico have resulted in seral stands dominated by Populus tremuloides (Fitzhugh et al. 1987). The above-ground portion of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is easily killed by fire, but sprouting from roots often occurs. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi regeneration by seed is less common, but seeds may be fire-resistant (Crane 1991).
Environmental Description: This minor forest association occupies mid to upper montane elevations in the northern and southern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1400 to 1785 m (4600-5855 feet) in the north to 2440-3020 m (8000-9900 feet) in the southern range. Sites are warm and dry, often occurring on southerly aspects or ridgetops. Substrates are typically rocky, coarse-textured soils derived from a variety of parent materials, including both calcareous and noncalcareous rock.
Geographic Range: This minor forest association occupies mid to upper montane elevations in the northern and southern Rocky Mountains, occurring in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CO, MT, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685819
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3454 Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3454 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000424 Douglas-fir / Kinnikinnick Forest | CEGL000424 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctospahylos adenotricha - Juniperus communis (Johnston 1987)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
>< O25: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus flexilis - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Juniperus communis Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
= O26: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Festuca scabrella Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
>< O25: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus flexilis - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Juniperus communis Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
= O26: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Festuca scabrella Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
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