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CEGL008611 Abies magnifica / Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Red Fir - Pinemat Manzanita Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is widespread in the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California, but it appears to be primarily on the west side of the range, and may extend into southern Oregon. This association can occur at all elevations of the upper montane, from 2130 to 2680 m (7000-8800 feet). Aspects are variable. Slopes range from gentle to somewhat steep. Stands are located on all slope positions except toeslopes; however, they are typically found on ridgetops and upper and middle slopes. Litter depths are significantly less when compared to most other associations. Granitic parent materials are common, with volcanic and metamorphic substrates rare. Most soils are formed in place over bedrock and range from 63.5 to 101.6 cm (25-40 inches) deep. Topsoils are usually sandy loams, with occasional sands and loams. Coarse fragment content in the subsoils is significantly higher than most other sites associated with this type. Soils are excessively drained. These stands are characteristically open woodlands with a distinctive low-shrub layer of Arctostaphylos nevadensis. Total vegetative cover is high due to the high cover of this shrub, but tree cover is significantly lower than most other types. Trees tend to occur as scattered clumps or individuals. The overstory is predominantly Abies magnifica, but occasional Pinus jeffreyi and Abies lowiana are present, and Pinus monticola is rarely present as scattered individuals. Some stands in the association are actually dominated by Pinus jeffreyi, although Abies magnifica is typically present in these situations as well. The shrub layer is typified by Arctostaphylos nevadensis, but Chrysolepis sempervirens is also a somewhat consistent member of the association. The herb component is often sparse and contains a mix of dry- and moderate-site species. Arabis platysperma and Monardella odoratissima indicate drier conditions, while Pyrola picta and Viola purpurea indicate moister sites. Abies magnifica is the major regenerating species. This association is closely related to ~Abies magnifica - Pinus monticola / Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest (CEGL008615)$$ vegetationally, but the environments, primarily elevation, coarse fragment content, and textures, differ enough that they are classified separately at this time.
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: These stands are characteristically open woodlands with a distinctive low-shrub layer of Arctostaphylos nevadensis. Total vegetative cover is high due to the high cover of this shrub, but tree cover is significantly lower than most other types. Trees tend to occur as scattered clumps or individuals. The overstory is predominantly Abies magnifica, but occasional Pinus jeffreyi and Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) are present, and Pinus monticola is rarely present as scattered individuals. Some stands in the association are actually dominated by Pinus jeffreyi, although Abies magnifica is typically present in these situations as well. The shrub layer is typified by Arctostaphylos nevadensis, but Chrysolepis sempervirens is also a somewhat consistent member of the association. The herb component is often sparse and contains a mix of dry- and moderate-site species. Arabis platysperma and Monardella odoratissima indicate drier conditions, while Pyrola picta and Viola purpurea indicate moister sites. Abies magnifica is the major regenerating species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association can occur at all elevations of the upper montane, from 2130 to 2680 m (7000-8800 feet). Aspects are variable. Slopes range from gentle to somewhat steep. Stands are located on all slope positions except toeslopes; however, they are typically found on ridgetops and upper and middle slopes. Litter depths are significantly less when compared to most other associations. Granitic parent materials are common, with volcanic and metamorphic substrates rare. Most soils are formed in place over bedrock and range from 63.5 to 101.6 cm (25-40 inches) deep. Topsoils are usually sandy loams, with occasional sands and loams. Coarse fragment content in the subsoils is significantly higher than most other sites associated with this type. Soils are excessively drained.
Geographic Range: This association is widespread in the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California, but it appears to be primarily on the west side of the range, and may extend into southern Oregon (J. Kagan pers. comm. 1996). Stands can cover large acreages; however, in the majority of cases, they are smaller than 10 acres. Similar stands defined as Abies magnifica / Arctostaphylos nevadensis (Imper 1988 in Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995) have been described from Mount Shasta in the southern Cascades.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686883
Confidence Level: Low
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.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division | D192 | 1.B.2.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nd.4 California Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Forest Macrogroup | M025 | 1.B.2.Nd.4 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock Forest Group | G749 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Alliance | A3619 California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir Forest Alliance | A3619 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008611 California Red Fir - Pinemat Manzanita Forest | CEGL008611 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies magnifica / Arctostaphylos nevadensis (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.200.27]
= Abies magnifica / Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica/Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Abies magnifica / Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica/Arctostaphylos nevadensis Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- Kagan, Jimmy. Personal communication. Coordinator, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 2002. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. August 2002.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.