Print Report
CEGL000390 Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blue Spruce / Spruce-fir Fleabane Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Picea pungens and Pseudotsuga menziesii are codominant in the overstory which varies from closed to open canopy. Variations include numerous larger-diameter old-growth individuals including Picea pungens and Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Abies concolor. Typically, the mixed overstory is well-stocked; often all sizes and ages will be represented. Picea engelmannii and, rarely, Abies lasiocarpa occupy frost pockets. Populus tremuloides is the major seral species. Picea pungens is successfully regenerating throughout. The shrub layer is scattered, of light density, and highly inconsistent in percent cover and presence of species. The herb-rich undergrowth is characterized by forb dominance. This type occurs on lower-elevation sites (2383-2575 m [7820-8450 feet]), all aspects on lower slopes and higher-elevation sites (2450-2758 m [8040-9050 feet]) on sideslopes and benches on northerly aspects (Burro Mountain all aspects at 3000 m [9800 feet]). It is widespread in mountains and drainages of northern Arizona, central and northern New Mexico, and southern Colorado.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea pungens and Pseudotsuga menziesii codominate the overstory. Undergrowth has variable composition but is always characterized by forb dominance. Forbs are abundant (>25% cover) and graminoids are common (>1% cover) to well-represented (>5% cover) in small patches [Pinus ponderosa phase]. Linnaea borealis is absent or poorly represented (<5% cover) in typic phase.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stuever and Hayden (1997a) identify two phases. (1) Typic phase: These sites are generally higher (typically 2438 m [8000 feet] and above) in elevation, tend to be cooler and more moist. Picea engelmannii and rarely Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica may be present in the overstory composed of mixed species. Picea pungens regeneration is greater than the combined regeneration of Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica and Picea engelmannii. Erigeron eximius is usually present in the forb component of the undergrowth. (2) Pinus ponderosa phase: These sites are generally lower (below 2560 m [8400 feet]), warmer, and drier. The undergrowth component may lack Erigeron eximius and be typified instead by Fragaria spp. and Achillea millefolium. In the overstory, Picea engelmannii will decrease or disappear and Pinus ponderosa will increase, usually as large individuals.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Picea pungens and Pseudotsuga menziesii are codominant in the overstory which varies from closed to open canopy. Variations include numerous larger-diameter old-growth individuals including Picea pungens and Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Abies concolor. Typically, the mixed overstory is well-stocked; often all sizes and ages will be represented. Picea engelmannii and, rarely, Abies lasiocarpa occupy frost pockets. Populus tremuloides is the major seral species. Picea pungens is successfully regenerating throughout. The shrub layer is scattered, of light density, and highly inconsistent in percent cover and presence of species. Common shrubs include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier utahensis var. utahensis, Juniperus communis, Lonicera arizonica, Paxistima myrsinites, Quercus gambelii, Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana, and Rubus parviflorus. The herb-rich undergrowth is characterized by forb dominance which includes Bromus ciliatus, Campanula rotundifolia, Carex siccata, Erigeron eximius, Erigeron formosissimus, Festuca arizonica, Fragaria vesca ssp. americana, Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana, Geranium richardsonii, Koeleria macrantha, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Maianthemum stellatum, Muhlenbergia montana, Muhlenbergia straminea, Poa fendleriana, Poa pratensis, Oreochrysum parryi, Thalictrum fendleri, Valeriana acutiloba var. acutiloba, and Viola canadensis.
Dynamics: Moir and Ludwig (1979) found fire scarring on bases of large trees indicating past ground fires. They suggest herbaceous cover carried dry-season fires through stands. Some fires may have originated from open grassy parks bordering these stands. Stands of 200- to 300-year-old Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii may become established in former openings.
Environmental Description: This type occurs on lower-elevation sites (2383-2575 m [7820-8450 feet]), all aspects on lower slopes and higher-elevation sites (2450-2758 m [8040-9050 feet]) on sideslopes and benches on northerly aspects (Burro Mountain all aspects at 3000 m [9800 feet]).
Geographic Range: It is widespread in mountains and drainages of northern Arizona, central and northern New Mexico, and southern Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686921
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.d White Fir - Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Mesic Southern Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G225 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A0165 Blue Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest Alliance | A0165 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000390 Blue Spruce / Spruce-fir Fleabane Forest | CEGL000390 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea pungens - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Erigeron eximius (Johnston 1987)
= Picea pungens - Pseudotsuga menziesii Habitat Type, Valeriana acutiloba Phase (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius Forest (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius Forest (DeVelice et al. 1986)
= Picea pungens - Pseudotsuga menziesii Habitat Type, Valeriana acutiloba Phase (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius Forest (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Picea pungens / Erigeron eximius Forest (DeVelice et al. 1986)
- Alexander, B. G., Jr., F. Ronco, Jr., E. L. Fitzhugh, and J. A. Ludwig. 1984a. A classification of forest habitat types of the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. General Technical Report RM-104. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 29 pp.
- Alexander, R. R., G. R. Hoffman, and J. M. Wirsing. 1986. Forest vegetation of the Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming: A habitat type classification. Research Paper No. RM-271. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- DeVelice, R. L., J. A. Ludwig, W. H. Moir, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1986. A classification of forest habitat types of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. General Technical Report RM-131. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 59 pp.
- Fitzhugh, E. L., W. H. Moir, J. A. Ludwig, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1987. Forest habitat types in the Apache, Gila, and part of the Cibola national forests. General Technical Report RM-145. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 116 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1984. Plant associations of Region Two. Edition 3.5. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Moir, W. H., and J. A. Ludwig. 1979. A classification of spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat types of Arizona and New Mexico. Research Paper RM-207. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 47 pp.
- Pavek, D. S. 1993d. Picea pungens. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/]
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 140 pp. plus insert.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987b. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of Arizona south of the Mogollon Rim and southwestern New Mexico. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 168 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.