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CEGL000172 Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This widespread forest association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zones of the Rocky Mountains from central Colorado to Montana, east to the Black Hills and west to the mountains of Utah, Oregon and Washington. Elevation is variable depending on latitude and ranges from 3250 m (10,660 feet) in Colorado to 1555 m (5100 feet) in central Oregon. Stands occur on relatively cold, dry sites. Topography ranges from gentle to steep (10-100%) middle to upper slopes and ridgetops. Aspects are variable. Substrates are typically poorly developed, well-drained, gravelly, loamy sand or sandy loam soils that are too shallow or rocky for more mesic communities. Parent materials are variable. Ground cover is variable, with some stands having high cover of gravel and rock, and other stands having high cover of litter and duff. Vegetation is characterized by a Pinus contorta-dominated tree canopy with understory dominated by a patchy to continuous dwarf-shrub layer of Vaccinium scoparium. The tree canopy varies from moderately dense to nearly closed (40-90% cover) and is often composed solely of Pinus contorta. However, in some stands scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus albicaulis (northern stands), Pinus flexilis, Populus tremuloides, or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees may be present, especially in the subcanopy. Some stands have tree saplings and scattered shrubs, but not enough to form a tall- or short-shrub layer. The open to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium scoparium (indicator species) usually with 15-70% cover. Low cover of other dwarf-shrubs may be present such as scattered Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa spp., Vaccinium cespitosum, or Juniperus communis. The herbaceous layer if present is usually sparse but may be moderately dense and is typically dominated or codominated by perennial graminoids such as Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca brachyphylla, Poa nemoralis ssp. interior, Poa nervosa, or Trisetum spicatum. Forbs are generally sparse and may include Antennaria spp., Arnica cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Lupinus argenteus, Senecio spp., and Solidago spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Many lower subalpine, spruce-fir and upper montane Douglas-fir forest and woodland stands include Pinus contorta trees in a mixed-conifer canopy. To clarify classification, only stands with tree canopies strongly dominated by Pinus contorta (usually >2/3 tree canopy) are considered to be Pinus contorta woodland and forest associations.
Many stands in this association are considered early- to mid-successional, which developed following fires and are considered seral to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium Forest (CEGL000344)$$, less often ~Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium Forest (CEGL000381)$$, and in extreme cold sites with ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium spp. Forest (CEGL000464)$$ (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983, Mauk and Henderson 1984, Cooper et al. 1987,), while other stands have a canopy that is dominated by persistent Pinus contorta that is successfully regenerating, especially on more extreme sites with only scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Picea glauca, or Pseudotsuga menziesii.
Compare this association to ~Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest (CEGL000174)$$. Regional analysis suggests that they are synonymous.
Many stands in this association are considered early- to mid-successional, which developed following fires and are considered seral to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium Forest (CEGL000344)$$, less often ~Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium Forest (CEGL000381)$$, and in extreme cold sites with ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium spp. Forest (CEGL000464)$$ (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983, Mauk and Henderson 1984, Cooper et al. 1987,), while other stands have a canopy that is dominated by persistent Pinus contorta that is successfully regenerating, especially on more extreme sites with only scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Picea glauca, or Pseudotsuga menziesii.
Compare this association to ~Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest (CEGL000174)$$. Regional analysis suggests that they are synonymous.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest association is characterized by a Pinus contorta-dominated tree canopy with understory dominated by a patchy to continuous dwarf-shrub layer of Vaccinium scoparium. The tree canopy varies from moderately dense to nearly closed (40-90% cover) and is often composed solely of Pinus contorta. However, in some stands scattered Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus albicaulis (northern stands), Pinus flexilis, Populus tremuloides, or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees may be present, especially in the subcanopy. Some stands have tree saplings and scattered shrubs, but not enough to form a tall- or short-shrub layer. The open to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium scoparium (indicator species) usually with 15-70% cover. Other dwarf-shrubs may be present and include low cover of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa spp., Vaccinium cespitosum, or Juniperus communis. The herbaceous layer if present is usually sparse but may be moderately dense and is typically dominated or codominated by perennial graminoids such as Carex geyeri, Carex rossii (= Carex brevipes), Festuca brachyphylla, Poa nemoralis ssp. interior (= Poa interior), Poa nervosa, or Trisetum spicatum. Forbs are generally sparse and may include Antennaria spp., Arnica cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Lupinus argenteus, Packera neomexicana (= Senecio neomexicanus), Solidago multiradiata, and several others.
Dynamics: The dominance of Pinus contorta in stands of this association is related to fire history and topo-edaphic conditions (Cooper 1975, Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983, Cooper et al. 1987). Following stand-replacing fires, Pinus contorta will rapidly colonize and develop into dense stands of even-aged trees. Over time, many of these stands can succeed to dominance by other, more shade-tolerant conifer species; however, others stands, restricted by dry, shallow rocky soils on more extreme sites, will remain dominated by Pinus contorta (Hoffmann and Alexander 1976, Alexander et al. 1986, Hess and Alexander 1986, Komarkova et al. 1988b).
Environmental Description: This widespread forest association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zones of the Rocky Mountains from central Colorado to Montana, east to the Black Hills and west to the mountains of Utah, Oregon and Washington. Elevations range from 2745 to 3150 m (9000-10,660 feet) in Colorado and 2590 to 3050 m (8500-10,000 feet) in the Uinta Mountains down to 1770 to 2135 m (5800-7000 feet) in Montana and 1555 to 1950 m (5100-6400 feet) in central Oregon. Stands occur on relatively cold, dry sites. Topography ranges from gentle to steep (10-100%), middle to upper slopes and ridgetops. Aspects are variable. Substrates are typically poorly developed, well-drained, gravelly, loamy sand or sandy loam soils that are too shallow or rocky for more mesic communities. Parent materials are variable and include noncalcareous sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous rock, including argillite, quartzite, gneiss and schist, basalt, andecite, granite, quartz monzonite, rhyolite, and volcanic ash. Ground cover is variable. Cover of gravel and rock is often high (>50% cover), but other stands have high cover of litter and duff (40-80%). Mosses and lichens are common on some sites.
Geographic Range: This association is common in the Rocky Mountains and mountains in the northwestern U.S. and is reported from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and possibly California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686331
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.a Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G220 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Alliance | A3366 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A3366 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000172 Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry Forest | CEGL000172 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980) [Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium stands were considered long-lived seral communities.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1987) [Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium stands were considered long-lived seral communities.]
= Pinus contorta - Vaccinium scoparium Plant Community (Hall 1973)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Steele et al. 1983)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1976)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1986)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Huckleberry (Volland 1976)
= Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry Plant Community (Horton 1971)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1987) [Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium stands were considered long-lived seral communities.]
= Pinus contorta - Vaccinium scoparium Plant Community (Hall 1973)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Steele et al. 1983)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Community Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1976)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1986)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Huckleberry (Volland 1976)
= Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry Plant Community (Horton 1971)
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