Print Report
CEGL000250 Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Lathyrus lanszwertii Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir - Douglas-fir / Nevada Pea Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These coniferous forests have been described from the mountains of northern Arizona and northern New Mexico at elevations of 2591-2866 m. The association is found mainly on northern slopes. Soils are constantly moist and may be derived from various substrates, mainly volcanics. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is dominated by either or both Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Populus tremuloides is important in disturbed stands and may have up to 15% canopy cover. Both Pinus flexilis and Pinus ponderosa may be present in younger stands. The shrub layer is generally sparse but may have up to 25% canopy cover composed of Mahonia repens with lesser amounts of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Lonicera arizonica, Juniperus communis, and Paxistima myrsinites. The herbaceous layer cover is variable (5-50%). Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus dominates the herb layer with cover up to 20%. Other species include Maianthemum stellatum, Prosartes trachycarpa, Thalictrum fendleri, Poa fendleriana, Carex siccata, Carex geyeri, Ligusticum porteri, and Thermopsis divaricarpa. Because of the abundance of Populus tremuloides, fire may be necessary to maintain this association. Older stands are characterized by increased coverage of the shade-tolerant, fire-susceptible Abies concolor. This association can be distinguished from other mesic Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii forests by the dominance of Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus in the herbaceous layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii may be present in all size classes. One or both may dominate the overstory. Populus tremuloides is the major seral associate. Pinus strobiformis and Pinus ponderosa are minor seral trees. The undergrowth is composed of relatively sparse shrub cover up to 4% cover with Mahonia repens. The forb cover is variable, ranging from as little as 5% to more that 50%. Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus dominates the herb layer with cover up to 20%.
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: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are the two major late-successional species which dominate forest regeneration. Populus tremuloides is a major seral species, and both Pinus flexilis and Pinus ponderosa are minor seral species. Accidental species are Abies lasiocarpa and Picea pungens. Mahonia repens is commonly found in the shrub layer. Other well-represented shrubs are Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Lonicera arizonica, Juniperus communis, and Paxistima myrsinites. The herbaceous stratum is luxuriant. Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus arizonicus) dominates the herb layer with a cover up to 20%. Other species which occur are Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Prosartes trachycarpa (= Disporum trachycarpum), Thalictrum fendleri, Poa fendleriana, Carex siccata (= Carex foenea), Carex geyeri, Ligusticum porteri, and Thermopsis divaricarpa (= Thermopsis pinetorum).
Dynamics: Because of the abundance of Populus tremuloides, fire is necessary to maintain this association. Older stands are characterized by increased coverage of the shade-tolerant, fire-susceptible Abies concolor.
Environmental Description: This type ranges in elevation from 2591-2866 m (8500-9400 feet). It is found mainly on northern slopes. Soils are constantly moist on varying substrate, mainly volcanics. This association represents a typical mixed conifer forest modal climate. Mean annual precipitation is 69 cm (27 inches).
Geographic Range: These forests have been described from Bill Williams Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona and locally in the Canjilon Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685857
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.d White Fir - Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Mesic Southern Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G225 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A3369 White Fir Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3369 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000250 White Fir - Douglas-fir / Nevada Pea Forest | CEGL000250 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor / Lathyrus lanszwertii var. arizonicus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies concolor-Pseudotsuga menziesii/Lathyrus arizonicus (Moir and Ludwig 1979) [found in the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona.]
? Abies concolor/Lathyrus arizonicus (Larson and Moir 1987) [found on Bill Williams Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona and locally in the Canjilon Ranger District of northern New Mexico.]
= Abies concolor-Pseudotsuga menziesii/Lathyrus arizonicus (Moir and Ludwig 1979) [found in the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona.]
? Abies concolor/Lathyrus arizonicus (Larson and Moir 1987) [found on Bill Williams Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona and locally in the Canjilon Ranger District of northern New Mexico.]
- 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.
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Moir, W. H., and J. A. Ludwig. 1979. A classification of spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat types of Arizona and New Mexico. Research Paper RM-207. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 47 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.