Print Report
CEGL000283 Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Pacific Yew Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is an evergreen conifer forest composed of two distinct tree canopies found mostly in the north-central Rocky Mountains of Idaho and with outlier stands in adjacent Washington, Oregon and Montana. This late- to mid-seral community is dominated by Abies grandis, Picea engelmannii, and/or Larix occidentalis in the tallest canopy and Taxus brevifolia in a lower tree canopy 6-9 m (20-30 feet) tall. The forest canopy is closed, although the upper layer is generally open. The undergrowth is sparse and patchy and follows the pattern of canopy gaps. The most common deciduous shrub is Acer glabrum which can be abundant in disturbed stands. The herbaceous layer is patchy and dominated by mesic site forbs such as Asarum caudatum, Anemone piperi, Clintonia uniflora, and Coptis occidentalis. This association includes the Taxus brevifolia phases of Abies grandis / Asarum caudatum, Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora, and Abies grandis / Linnaea borealis habitat types.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is defined as a PNV vegetation type. If it were renamed as a dominance type, the species would include Abies grandis and Picea engelmannii. Few studies have defined a forest type segregating Taxus from other understories. Daubenmire and Daubenmire (1968) have Taxus in their Thuja and Tsuga types, and Hall (1973) has Taxus in his Abies grandis/Vaccinium membranaceum type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is an evergreen needle-leaved forest association dominated by Abies grandis, with Picea engelmannii always present in lesser amounts, and Pseudotsuga menziesii occasionally present as a seral component. The tall-shrub layer is dense and dominated by a mix of the evergreen needle-leaved Taxus brevifolia and the deciduous, broad-leaved Acer glabrum. In many stands, Taxus is so dense that most low-shrub and forb species are eliminated, as well as other conifer seedlings. The low, creeping shrub Linnaea borealis is common. Herbaceous richness and cover can be high, except under the dense Taxus. The perennial forb Clintonia uniflora is the most abundant herbaceous species; other constant forbs include Arnica cordifolia, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Viola orbiculata, Coptis occidentalis, and Asarum caudatum. Moss cover is often over 40%.
Dynamics: Johnson and Simon (1987) relate that in Oregon and Idaho disturbance by ungulates may increase hedging and eliminate the Taxus brevifolia from spring and seepage sites. Trifolium longipes, Moehringia macrophylla, and Arnica cordifolia may increase in cover value due to ungulate disturbance. Indian paint fungus (Echinodontium tinctorium) and root rot are common in this type (Cooper et al. 1991).
Due to its moist microenvironment, this type has very infrequent fires. When fire does occur, the Taxus brevifolia is almost always eliminated (Zamora 1975). Abies grandis may be damaged by surface fire when the duff is burned deep enough to injure the root system. Because of the very high shade tolerance of Taxus and its elimination of coniferous tree seedlings under its canopy, some authors postulate stands of this association may eventually succeed to Taxus-dominated climax communities.
Due to its moist microenvironment, this type has very infrequent fires. When fire does occur, the Taxus brevifolia is almost always eliminated (Zamora 1975). Abies grandis may be damaged by surface fire when the duff is burned deep enough to injure the root system. Because of the very high shade tolerance of Taxus and its elimination of coniferous tree seedlings under its canopy, some authors postulate stands of this association may eventually succeed to Taxus-dominated climax communities.
Environmental Description: This is a cool, very moist type. All of the mountainous regions where this association is found are characterized by an inland maritime climate, particularly in the winter and spring. During these months, temperatures are moderate, and precipitation typically occurs as prolonged gentle rains, with periods of fog and heavy cloud cover. During summer, the maritime influence is weak; these months are dry and have daily extremes of temperature. This association occurs from 850 to 1770 m (2800-5800 feet) elevation, but is generally found at the higher elevations of the Abies grandis series and on warmer, protected sites. Slopes are moderate to steep, ridgetop benches or toeslopes, but apparently seeps, springs, and rivulets are commonly present. Parent materials are typically volcanic ash over colluvium-alluvium or granitics. Soils are relatively shallow, with silt loam to silty clay loam textures.
Geographic Range: Restricted to the S.F. Clearwater River in Idaho with outliers in adjacent Oregon and over the Bitterroots in Montana. It is also apparently disjunct in Okanogan County, Washington, and Swan Valley, Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686621
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.3 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir - Western Larch Mesic Lower Montane Forest Macrogroup | M500 | 1.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G211 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3362 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3362 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL000283 Grand Fir / Pacific Yew Forest | CEGL000283 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Abies grandis / Asarum caudatum Habitat Type, Taxus brevifolia Phase (Cooper et al. 1987) [found exclusively on the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho between 4000 and 5600 feet.]
? Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Taxus brevifolia Phase (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in northern Idaho between 5000 and 5800 feet, although a few sites were as low as 3400 feet.]
= Abies grandis / Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.56)]
= Abies grandis / Gymnocarpium dryopteris Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) [(p.45)]
? Abies grandis / Linnaea borealis Habitat Type, Taxus brevifolia Phase (Clausnitzer and Zamora 1987) [found in the Colville Indian Reservation of northeastern Washington between 2820-3040 feet.]
= Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Clausnitzer 1993)
? Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Johnson and Simon 1985) [found in northeast Oregon.]
? Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Johnson and Simon 1987) [found in the Wallowa-Snake Province of northeastern Oregon and adjacent Idaho between 4000-5300 feet.]
? Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Taxus brevifolia Phase (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in northern Idaho between 5000 and 5800 feet, although a few sites were as low as 3400 feet.]
= Abies grandis / Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.56)]
= Abies grandis / Gymnocarpium dryopteris Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) [(p.45)]
? Abies grandis / Linnaea borealis Habitat Type, Taxus brevifolia Phase (Clausnitzer and Zamora 1987) [found in the Colville Indian Reservation of northeastern Washington between 2820-3040 feet.]
= Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Clausnitzer 1993)
? Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Johnson and Simon 1985) [found in northeast Oregon.]
? Abies grandis / Taxus brevifolia / Clintonia uniflora (Johnson and Simon 1987) [found in the Wallowa-Snake Province of northeastern Oregon and adjacent Idaho between 4000-5300 feet.]
- Antos, J. A. 1977. Grand fir (Abies grandis (Douglas) Forbes) forests of the Swan Valley, Montana. Unpublished thesis, University of Montana, Missoula. 220 pp.
- 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.
- Clausnitzer, R. R. 1993. The grand fir series of northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington: Successional stages and management guide. Technical Report R6-ECO-TP-050-93. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 193 pp. plus appendices.
- Clausnitzer, R. R., and B. A. Zamora. 1987. Forest habitat types of the Colville Indian Reservation. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Forest and Range Management, Washington State University, Pullman. 110 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- Crawford, R. C., and F. D. Johnson. 1985. Pacific yew dominance in tall forests, a classification dilemma. Canadian Journal of Botany 63:592-602.
- Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- Daubenmire, R. F., and J. B. Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 60. 104 pp.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnson, C. G., and S. A. Simon. 1985. Plant associations of the Wallowa Valley Ranger District, Part II: Steppe. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 258 pp.
- 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.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- McCune, B., and T. F. H. Allen. 1985. Will similar forests develop on similar sites? Canadian Journal of Botany 63:367-375.
- Titus, J. H., M. Kerr, E. Crowe, and B. Kovalchik. 1998. Riparian zones of eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Zamora, B. A. 1975. Secondary succession on broad-cast burn clearcuts of the Abies grandis/Pachistima myrsinites habitat type in north-central Idaho. Ph.D. thesis, Washington State University, Pullman.