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CEGL000911 Pseudotsuga menziesii Scree Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Douglas-fir Scree Woodland
Colloquial Name: Douglas-fir Scree Slope
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs throughout the interior western U.S. but is restricted to steep slopes covered by loose rock and colluvium on mountain or canyon slopes and dry alcoves. It has the appearance of scattered trees with a sparse understory. The open canopy of this association is generally mixed and rarely exceeds 50% cover. Pseudotsuga menziesii is always present and dominant; other tree species present to codominant may include Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Picea engelmannii, Pinus edulis, Pinus flexilis, Pinus strobiformis, Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, Abies concolor, and Abies lasiocarpa. Shrub cover is sparse and lacks a diagnostic species or the shrub layer is too poorly developed to be diagnostic. Herbaceous species are sparse and species are inconsistent among sites. The vegetation appears to be limited by the lack of soil development. Slopes generally exceed 60% and are generally unstable, with constantly shifting rocks on the slopes as well as additional rockfall from outcrops upslope. Elevations range from 915 to 2560 m (3100-8400 feet). Most of the unvegetated ground surface is covered by rocks and boulders, litter and/or dead wood. Soils are poorly developed, well-drained and rocky. The rocky slope is the dominant visual element of the community.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is distinguished from other scree woodland associations by the clear dominance of Pseudotsuga menziesii in the canopy and a shrub layer that is too sparse and scattered to be diagnostic. Stands described by Pfister et al. (1977) and MTNHP (2002b) from Montana are currently included in this Southern Rocky Mountain association. Review of Montana plots is needed to determine if they should stay in this association or be moved to a new association within a Central Rocky Mountains macrogroup and group.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association has the appearance of a stand of scattered trees with a sparse understory; the vegetation is limited by the lack of soil development. The rocky slope is the dominant visual element of the community. The sparse to open canopy of this association is generally mixed and rarely exceeds 35% cover. Pseudotsuga menziesii is always present and dominant or codominant; other tree species may include Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Picea engelmannii, Pinus edulis, Pinus flexilis, Pinus strobiformis, Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, Abies concolor, and Abies lasiocarpa. Shrubs are variable depending on the site, but cover is too sparse and the mix either lacks a diagnostic species in the understory or the shrub layer is too poorly developed to be diagnostic. Shrub species present may include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Acer glabrum, Amelanchier utahensis, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Ephedra viridis, Holodiscus dumosus, Juniperus communis, Mahonia fremontii, Prunus virginiana, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus gambelii, Ribes inerme, Ribes montigenum, Salix scouleriana, Shepherdia canadensis, Shepherdia rotundifolia, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Herbaceous species are sparse and inconsistent among sites and include Hesperostipa and/or Achnatherum spp. (= Stipa spp.), Phragmites australis, and Leymus salinus.
Dynamics: This association is stable; the substrate is constantly shifting so there is little chance of the canopy closing or a dense understory developing.
Environmental Description: This association occurs throughout the interior western U.S. but is restricted to steep slopes covered by loose rock and colluvium on mountain or canyon slopes. Slopes generally exceed 60% (40-84%) and are generally unstable, with constantly shifting rocks on the slopes as well as additional rockfall from outcrops upslope. Elevations at the northern end of the range (Montana) are from 915 to 2560 m (3100-8400 feet). At the northern end of the range, sites are usually limited to warm, south- to west-facing slopes in canyons. In the southern end of the range in southern Colorado, southern Utah and northern Arizona, stands occur on various aspects, including north-facing alcoves. Most of the unvegetated ground surface is covered by rocks and boulders, litter and/or dead wood. Soils are poorly developed, well-drained and rocky.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from sites scattered throughout the Rocky Mountain Cordillera and mountain ranges in the interior western U.S., including Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, MT, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686581
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3454 Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3454 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000911 Douglas-fir Scree Woodland | CEGL000911 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Pseudotsuga menziesii / Holodiscus dumosus (Scree) Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
> Pseudotsuga menziesii / Holodiscus dumosus Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
< Forested Scree Communities (Pfister et al. 1977)
> Pseudotsuga menziesii / Holodiscus dumosus Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
< Forested Scree Communities (Pfister et al. 1977)
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