Print Report
CEGL000379 Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Whortleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This subalpine forest association occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from the high mountains and plateaus of central and southwestern New Mexico to north-central Colorado at elevations between 2790 and 3600 m (9160-11,800 feet). This type is characterized by deep snowpack and brief, cool summers. Stands are common in the middle to upper subalpine zone on all aspects and slope. Soils are typically shallow, often rocky, sandy or silt loam derived from granite, intrusive porphyritics and various other rocks. Litter and duff and downed woody debris cover a significant portion of the ground surface (>50% cover). The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense conifer tree canopy dominated by Picea engelmannii, with an understory characterized by a dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Vaccinium myrtillus. Abies lasiocarpa is absent or trace. Pinus aristata, Pinus flexilis, or Abies concolor (trace) may also be present in the canopy. Populus tremuloides and Pinus contorta (northern stands only) are the most common seral species, though Pseudotsuga menziesii occurs at lower elevations. In the understory, Vaccinium scoparium may be present but is usually trace to less than half the cover of Vaccinium myrtillus. Other shrubs may be present in low cover such as Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Lonicera utahensis, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Physocarpus monogynus, Ribes montigenum, Ribes pinetorum, Rosa woodsii, Salix scouleriana, and Shepherdia canadensis. Tree regeneration is mostly Picea engelmannii, sometimes with lesser amounts of Pseudotsuga menziesii in lower elevation stands. Herbaceous species cover is typically sparse with scattered Arnica cordifolia, Carex rossii, Erigeron eximius, Goodyera repens, Luzula parviflora, Orthilia secunda, Pedicularis racemosa, Polemonium pulcherrimum, and others.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii is dominant and strongly competitive. Abies lasiocarpa is absent. Pseudotsuga menziesii is present and may dominate seral stands. Vaccinium myrtillus is always present in the low-shrub layer that dominates undergrowth and is diagnostic for this type. Herb cover is sparse.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The association is separated from ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest (CEGL000343)$$ by the lack of Abies lasiocarpa in the tree canopy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This conifer forest association has a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by Picea engelmannii, with an understory characterized by a dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Vaccinium myrtillus. Abies lasiocarpa is absent or trace. Pinus aristata, Pinus flexilis, or Abies concolor (trace) may also be present in the canopy. Populus tremuloides and Pinus contorta (northern stands only) are the most common seral species, though Pseudotsuga menziesii occurs at lower elevations. In the understory, Vaccinium scoparium may be present but is usually trace to less than half the cover of Vaccinium myrtillus. Other shrubs may be present in low cover such as Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Lonicera utahensis, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Physocarpus monogynus, Ribes montigenum, Ribes pinetorum, Rosa woodsii, Salix scouleriana, and Shepherdia canadensis. Tree regeneration is mostly Picea engelmannii, sometimes with lesser amounts of Pseudotsuga menziesii in lower elevation stands. Herbaceous species such as Arnica cordifolia, Bromus ciliatus (= Bromus canadensis), Carex rossii, Erigeron eximius, Goodyera repens, Senecio amplectens (= Ligularia amplectens), Luzula parviflora, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. amplexicaule (= Maianthemum amplexicaule), Orthilia secunda (= Ramischia secunda), Pedicularis racemosa, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Pseudocymopterus montanus, Pyrola chlorantha, and Viola canadensis may be present with low cover values (DeVelice et al. 1986, Fitzhugh et al. 1987).
Dynamics: Crown fires result in successional stages dominated by aspen and a dense herbaceous layer.
Environmental Description: This subalpine forest association occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from the high mountains and plateaus of central and southwestern New Mexico to north-central Colorado at elevations between 2790 and 3600 m (9160-11,800 feet). This type is characterized by deep snowpack and brief, cool summers. Climate data from the White Mountains of Arizona (Fitzhugh et al. 1987) show a mean annual precipitation for this type of 76-89 cm (30-35 inches). Snow course data from the Mogollon Mountains (Fitzhugh et al. 1987) show mean snow depths of 94-130 cm (37-51 inches) by February 1, increasing to 119-183 cm (47-72 inches) by around April 1 over 17 years of record. Stands are common in the middle to upper subalpine zone on all aspects and slopes (DeVelice et al. 1986, Fitzhugh et al. 1987). Soils are typically shallow, often rocky, sandy or silt loam derived from granite, intrusive porphyritics and various other rocks. Litter and duff and downed woody debris cover a significant portion of the ground surface (>50% cover).
Geographic Range: This subalpine forest association occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from the high mountains and plateaus of central and southwestern New Mexico to north-central Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685940
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4Q
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.b Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Lodgepole Pine Dry-Mesic Forest & Woodland Group | G219 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Alliance | A3643 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Forest Alliance | A3643 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL000379 Engelmann Spruce / Whortleberry Forest | CEGL000379 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus / Polemonium pulcherrimum Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [Includes stands with 5-95% cover of Vaccinium myrtillus. This is generally an upper subalpine type but includes lower elevation stands with Abies lasiocarpa codominant.]
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Habitat Type, Picea engelmannii Phase (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Habitat Type, Picea engelmannii Phase (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus 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.
- DeVelice, R. L., J. A. Ludwig, W. H. Moir, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1986. A classification of forest habitat types of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. General Technical Report RM-131. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 59 pp.
- Fitzhugh, E. L., W. H. Moir, J. A. Ludwig, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1987. Forest habitat types in the Apache, Gila, and part of the Cibola national forests. General Technical Report RM-145. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 116 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.
- 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.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 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]. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 140 pp. plus insert.
- 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.