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CEGL000162 Pinus contorta / Purshia tridentata / Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush / Western Needlegrass Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found along the eastern flanks of the Cascade Range of central Oregon. It occurs at moderate elevations between 1280 and 1890 m (4200-6200 feet) with low-gradient slopes (0-15%) of all aspects. Soils are usually well-drained mixtures of sand and loam, generally on deep pumice. Pinus contorta var. latifolia is the predominant overstory tree with occasional Pinus ponderosa. Purshia tridentata typically dominates the shrub layer with occasional Ribes cereum var. cereum. The herb layer consists of Achnatherum occidentale and lesser amounts of Penstemon cinicola, Lupinus caudatus, Fragaria virginiana, Carex rossii, and Eriogonum umbellatum. The climax tree species are Pinus contorta var. latifolia and Pinus ponderosa, which respond well to periodic natural disturbance. This association is similar to ~Pinus contorta / Purshia tridentata / Festuca idahoensis Woodland (CEGL000160)$$ but has a more depauperate understory and lack of Festuca idahoensis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This description is from one source (Volland 1976) who found numerous occurrences. He classified this association into four separate communities: (1) Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush (Rhyolite Pumice), (2) Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Forb, (3) Lodgepole Pine / Needlegrass Basins, and (4) Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Needlegrass. Because of their similarity, ORNHP has combined these into one type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Pinus contorta var. latifolia is the predominant overstory tree (10-50% cover) with occasional Pinus ponderosa up to 7% cover. Purshia tridentata typically dominates the shrub layer (5-45% cover) with occasional Ribes cereum var. cereum (0-5% cover). The herb layer consists of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) with less than 5% cover and lesser amounts of Penstemon cinicola, Lupinus caudatus, Fragaria virginiana, Carex rossii, and Eriogonum umbellatum. The climax tree species are Pinus contorta var. latifolia and Pinus ponderosa, which respond well to periodic natural disturbance.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found along the eastern flanks of the Cascade Range of central Oregon. It occurs at moderate elevations between 1280 and 1890 m (4200-6200 feet) with low-gradient slopes (0-15%) of all aspects. Soils are usually well-drained mixtures of sand and loam, generally on deep pumice.
Geographic Range: This type is only known from the eastern Cascades pumice zone of south-central Oregon. It is fairly evenly distributed among three national forests: Deschutes, Winema, and Fremont.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686618
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | A4079 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A4079 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000162 Lodgepole Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush / Western Needlegrass Woodland | CEGL000162 | 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: ? Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush (Rhyolite Pumice) (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Forb (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Needlegrass (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Needlegrass Basins (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Forb (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Bitterbrush / Needlegrass (Volland 1976)
? Lodgepole Pine / Needlegrass Basins (Volland 1976)
- 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.
- Volland, L. A. 1976. Plant communities of the central Oregon pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R-6 Area Guide 4-2. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 113 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.