Print Report
CEGL000164 Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This subalpine forest association is known from the central and northern Rocky Mountains from northwestern Wyoming, across Idaho and western Montana into Canada. Elevations range from 1070 to 2500 m (3500-8200 feet). Stands occur on a variety of sites from steep colluvial slopes to gentle rolling terrain on relatively warm, dry sites. Sites at lower elevation and latitude are typically restricted to northerly aspects or limestone substrate. Higher elevation sites occur on a variety of aspects with the most northerly stands restricted to dry southern aspects. Parent materials are various. Tree litter is often 4-6 cm deep and dominates ground cover. Vegetation is characterized by an overstory tree canopy dominated by Pinus contorta with Spiraea betulifolia prominent in the understory. Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Populus tremuloides may be present in the subcanopy. Sites are generally too cool for Pinus ponderosa. Spiraea betulifolia is a major component in the short-shrub layer with Mahonia repens or Paxistima myrsinites sometimes abundant. Other common shrubs include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Lonicera utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Shepherdia canadensis, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos albus. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata, with a variety of forbs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association includes Pinus contorta-dominated stands within the Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type of Cooper et al. (1987), Pfister et al. (1977), Steele et al. (1981, 1983), but not the Pinus ponderosa Phase of Steele et al. (1981). This association also includes lodgepole-dominated stands of the Abies lasiocarpa / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981, 1983). Pinus contorta is not a seral component of the Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia or Abies lasiocarpa / Spiraea betulifolia plant associations described in Johnson and Simon (1987) for northeastern Oregon.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest association is characterized by an overstory tree canopy dominated by Pinus contorta with Spiraea betulifolia prominent in the understory. Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Populus tremuloides may be present in the subcanopy. Sites are generally too cool for Pinus ponderosa. Spiraea betulifolia is a major component in the short-shrub layer with Mahonia repens or Paxistima myrsinites sometimes abundant. Other common shrubs include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Lonicera utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Ribes viscosissimum, Shepherdia canadensis, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos albus. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Elymus glaucus, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata, with a variety of forbs. The most common forb species are Arnica cordifolia, Astragalus miser, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Fragaria virginiana, Goodyera oblongifolia, Hieracium albiflorum, Maianthemum racemosum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), Chamerion angustifolium, Chimaphila umbellata, Geranium viscosissimum, Campanula rotundifolia, Fragaria virginiana, and Thalictrum occidentale.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This subalpine forest association is known from the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1070 to 2500 m (3500-8200 feet). Stands occur on a variety of sites from steep colluvial slopes to gentle rolling terrain on relatively warm, dry sites. Sites at lower elevation and latitude are typically restricted to northerly aspects or limestone substrate. Higher elevation sites occur on a variety of aspects with the most northerly stands restricted to dry southern aspects. Parent materials are various, typically composed of colluvium or residuum derived from andesite, basalt, granites, gneiss, quartzite, schist phyllite, or limestone. Soils tend to be coarser textured, gravelly loam, sandy loam, or sandy clay. Tree litter, often 4-6 cm deep, dominates the ground cover.
Geographic Range: This subalpine forest association is known from the central and northern Rocky Mountains from northwestern Wyoming, across Idaho and western Montana into Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, ID, MT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687132
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | A3366 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A3366 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000164 Lodgepole Pine / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Forest | CEGL000164 | 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: < Abies lasiocarpa / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type, Calamagrostis rubescens Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type, Spiraea betulifolia Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type, Calamagrostis rubescens Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
< Pseudotsuga menziesii / Spiraea betulifolia Habitat Type, Spiraea betulifolia Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- Allen, L. 2012-2013. Alberta Conservation Information Management System Ecological Community Tracking List. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Edmonton, AB. [http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/default.aspx]
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- 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]
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- 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.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Steele, R., S. V. Cooper, D. M. Ondov, D. W. Roberts, and R. D. Pfister. 1983. Forest habitat types of eastern Idaho - western Wyoming. General Technical Report INT-144. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 122 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.