Print Report
CEGL000050 Abies lowiana - Picea breweriana / Chimaphila umbellata Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra White Fir - Brewer Spruce / Pipsissewa Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This highly variable coniferous forest association is found in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California between 1170-1525 m elevation. Stands grow on westerly and southwesterly aspects, on granitics, gabbro, and mixed metamorphic substrates. This association is more open than other associations in the area with large amounts (19%) of surface rock and bare ground (8%). This type is characterized by Abies lowiana and Picea breweriana in the overstory with the Abies lowiana attaining roughly 15% cover, and Picea breweriana about 5%. Pinus lambertiana and Pseudotsuga menziesii are both usually present in larger percentages than either of the indicator species. Total tree overstory canopy cover averages 75% cover. There seem to be two phases to this association: a warm phase and a cool phase. These phases are primarily differentiated by the tree understory species. Cooler sites contain Abies lowiana, Abies magnifica var. shastensis, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, Picea breweriana, and Taxus brevifolia. In the warm phase Abies magnifica var. shastensis is missing and Symphoricarpos mollis is found in the herbaceous layer. Mahonia nervosa and Chimaphila umbellata are the common shrub species. Fire is not common in this association, and fires that do occur tend to be low intensity. Pinus lambertiana can be very susceptible to blister rust. This type is the only Abies lowiana association with Chimaphila umbellata in the understory without Gaultheria ovatifolia.
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 structurally diverse, coniferous forest, dominated by the evergreen needle-leaved trees Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Picea breweriana, Pinus lambertiana and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Picea breweriana is typically less than 25 m in height and forms a subcanopy under the other confers, which average over 50 m in height. Total tree canopy cover averages 67%. The subcanopy has a significant component of conifer regeneration, especially of Abies lowiana, Picea breweriana and Abies magnifica var. shastensis. Several species of broad-leaved evergreen small trees are common, including Quercus sadleriana, Chrysolepis chrysophylla (= Castanopsis chrysophylla), Quercus vacciniifolia, Quercus kelloggii, and Notholithocarpus densiflorus (= Lithocarpus densiflorus). Total cover of this subcanopy may be as high as 60%. A well-developed short-shrub layer is present, dominated by a mix of broad-leaved deciduous and evergreen species. The most common and constant evergreen shrubs include Chimaphila umbellata, with 7% cover, and Mahonia nervosa (= var. nervosa), with 13% cover. Diverse in species (21 other species occasionally occur), total shrub cover averages 46%. The herbaceous layer is somewhat depauperate, with 13% cover, and no species constant or abundant. Pyrola picta, a perennial forb, is the most constant (56%) and averages 4% cover. Moss cover is low, only 2%.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a mountainous region (Klamath Mountains Province) of rugged, deeply dissected terrain. Geologically, the province is very complex and of very old deposits. Rock types include volcanic tuffs and sedimentary rocks which have been metamorphosed into schists, gneisses, marbles, and other metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. Sandstones, siltstones and shales have been deposited near the coast. The most notable rock types are granitics and elongated, stringer-like outcrops of serpentine. Elevations of this region vary from sea level to well over 1525 m (5000 feet).
The climate of the region is maritime, with wet, mild winters, cool, relatively dry summers at higher elevations and warm to hot summers at lower elevations, prolonged cloudy periods, and high annual precipitation. Precipitation varies from over 160 cm annually near the coast, to less than 75 cm annually on the eastern slope, where a rainshadow effect is pronounced and summers are very dry.
This association is found at moderately high (lower subalpine) elevations, from 1170 m to 1525 m, in the central portion of the region, within the rainshadow of the Coast Range. Slopes range from moderate to steep, and aspects are typically warm, being westerly and southwesterly. Local topographic effects can result in increased fog and humidities, as well as orographically produced summer precipitation. Parent materials are primarily granitics, gabbro and mixed metamorphics. Soils derived from the granitics are very infertile, and are low in most essential elements, while soils derived from the metamorphics are shallow and rocky. Surface rock averages 19% cover. The average soil depth is 71 cm; litter covers 91% of the ground surface.
The climate of the region is maritime, with wet, mild winters, cool, relatively dry summers at higher elevations and warm to hot summers at lower elevations, prolonged cloudy periods, and high annual precipitation. Precipitation varies from over 160 cm annually near the coast, to less than 75 cm annually on the eastern slope, where a rainshadow effect is pronounced and summers are very dry.
This association is found at moderately high (lower subalpine) elevations, from 1170 m to 1525 m, in the central portion of the region, within the rainshadow of the Coast Range. Slopes range from moderate to steep, and aspects are typically warm, being westerly and southwesterly. Local topographic effects can result in increased fog and humidities, as well as orographically produced summer precipitation. Parent materials are primarily granitics, gabbro and mixed metamorphics. Soils derived from the granitics are very infertile, and are low in most essential elements, while soils derived from the metamorphics are shallow and rocky. Surface rock averages 19% cover. The average soil depth is 71 cm; litter covers 91% of the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This forest association is found in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686148
Confidence Level: Low
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.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division | D192 | 1.B.2.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nd.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup | M023 | 1.B.2.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group | G344 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Alliance | A0156 Brewer Spruce - Sierra White Fir Forest Alliance | A0156 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL000050 Sierra White Fir - Brewer Spruce / Pipsissewa Forest | CEGL000050 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Atzet, T. A., D. E. White, L. A. McCrimmon, P. A. Martinez, P. R. Fong, and V. D. Randall. 1996. Field guide to the forested plant associations of southwestern Oregon. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-17-96. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- Atzet, T., and D. L. Wheeler. 1984. Preliminary plant associations of the Siskiyou Mountains Province, Siskiyou National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- 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.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.