Print Report

CEGL000919 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Juniperus communis Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Common Juniper Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This spruce-fir woodland association occurs in localized areas within the subalpine to upper montane zones of the western United States. The primary elevation range for the association is between 2530 and 3200 m (8300-11,500 feet). It occurs on gentle to somewhat steep mid- to upper slopes of all aspects and on benches or at lower elevations on dry stream terraces with cold-air drainage. Soils are variable but generally rocky and well-drained with substantial areas of lichen-covered bedrock or bare soil. This association is among the driest types of Abies lasiocarpa forests and woodlands. The canopy is relatively open and dominated by Abies lasiocarpa with Picea engelmannii often codominant. Seral species in the tree canopy can include Pinus contorta, Pinus flexilis, Picea pungens, and Populus tremuloides, with Pseudotsuga menziesii occurring on relatively warmer sites. The shrub layer is often sparse but characterized by large, widely spaced patches of Juniperus communis. Additional shrub species occur and can include Shepherdia canadensis, Vaccinium scoparium, Ribes montigenum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and occasionally Mahonia repens, Vaccinium myrtillus, or Vaccinium cespitosum. The herbaceous layer is likewise sparse. Species occurring most frequently include Arnica cordifolia, Lupinus argenteus, Fragaria virginiana, Chamerion angustifolium, and Antennaria spp. Diagnostic characteristics of this association include Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the tree canopy and Juniperus communis patches in the understory with greater cover than other shrub species.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa dominate overstory and regeneration. Juniperus communis and Orthilia secunda are most prevalent in sparse understory and are diagnostic for this type. Pinus ponderosa may be an accidental species in this plant association.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The relationship of this type (CEGL000919) to ~Abies lasiocarpa - (Pinus contorta) / Juniperus communis - Lomatium martindalei Woodland (CEGL005638)$$ needs to be reviewed.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy of this spruce-fir woodland is relatively open and dominated by Abies lasiocarpa with Picea engelmannii often codominant. Seral species in the tree canopy can include Pinus contorta, Pinus flexilis, Picea pungens, and Populus tremuloides, with Pseudotsuga menziesii occurring on relatively warmer sites. The shrub layer is often sparse but characterized by large, widely spaced patches of Juniperus communis. Additional shrub species occur and can include Shepherdia canadensis, Vaccinium scoparium, Ribes montigenum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and occasionally Mahonia repens, Vaccinium myrtillus, or Vaccinium cespitosum. The herbaceous layer is likewise sparse. Species occurring most frequently include Arnica cordifolia, Lupinus argenteus, Fragaria virginiana, Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium), and Antennaria spp.

Dynamics:  Juniperus communis is a shade-intolerant species usually found in open, harsh, stressed environments. It is often regarded as an early colonizer but reaches maximum abundance where competition is lacking (Tirmenstein 1999). Juniperus communis becomes prominent in high-elevation spruce-fir forests in Colorado 100 years or more after fire or other disturbance (Clagg 1975).
Environmental Description:  This spruce-fir woodland association occurs in localized areas within the subalpine to upper montane zones of the western United States. The primary elevation range for the association is between 2530 and 3200 m (8300-11,500 feet), but it occurs at lower elevations, 2600-2800 m (8700-9200 feet), on the north Kaibab Plateau. It occurs on gentle to somewhat steep mid- to upper slopes of all aspects and on benches or at lower elevations on dry stream terraces with cold-air drainage. Soils are variable but generally rocky and well-drained with substantial areas of lichen-covered bedrock or bare soil.
Geographic Range: This spruce-fir woodland association occurs in localized areas within the subalpine to upper montane zones of the western United States from Montana to Washington south to Arizona and New Mexico.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM?, NV?, OR?, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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 CEGL000919 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Common Juniper Woodland CEGL000919 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: = Abies bifolia / Juniperus communis (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Berberis repens Habitat Type, Juniperus communis Phase (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
? Abies lasiocarpa / Calamagrostis rubescens Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [This type had relatively constant cover of Juniperus communis over 10% cover.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis (Henderson et al. 1989)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis (Jones and Ogle 2000)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Larson and Moir 1987)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Roberts 1980)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Shepherdia canadensis Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1976)
> Abies lasiocarpa-(Pinus contorta)/Juniperus communis-Lomatium martindalei Woodland (Crawford et al. 2009)
Concept Author(s): M.C. Stuever and J.S. Hayden (1997a)

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-17-19
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