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CEGL000130 Pinus albicaulis - Pinus contorta / Penstemon laetus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Whitebark Pine - Lodgepole Pine / Mountain Blue Penstemon Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This subalpine woodland is found in Oregon''s southeastern Cascades at elevations of 2135-2750 m (7000-9000 feet) and may occur in California. Aspects are variable with slopes 3-20%. Soils are poorly developed gravels and coarse sand over tuffs, breccias, and basalt. The canopy is dominated by Pinus contorta var. latifolia and Pinus albicaulis. There is a marked absence of shrubs, although Arctostaphylos nevadensis may occasionally appear. The herbaceous layer consists of Carex inops ssp. inops, Poa wheeleri, and Penstemon laetus. Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale and Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides are sometimes in the understory. Both pines have moderate resistance to surface fires, but if the canopy is dense, crown fires will kill most trees.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There is only one source (Hopkins 1979a). This type is not known from neighboring Crater Lake National Park or Winema National Forest where Pinus albicaulis communities exist but are dissimilar. However, there are similar communities found in the vicinity at two Research Natural Areas, Auger Creek and Deadhorse. Here, the rare Penstemon glaucinus replaces Penstemon laetus as the dominant herb.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is dominated by Pinus contorta var. latifolia (5-30% cover) and Pinus albicaulis (1-30% cover). There is a marked absence of shrubs, although Arctostaphylos nevadensis may occasionally appear. The herbaceous layer consists of Carex inops ssp. inops, Poa wheeleri, and Penstemon laetus, all of which average 0-10% cover. Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides (= Sitanion hystrix) are sometimes in the understory.
Dynamics: Both pines have moderate resistance to surface fires, but if the canopy is dense, crown fires will kill most trees.
Environmental Description: This subalpine woodland is found in Oregon''s southeastern Cascades at elevations of 2135-2750 m (7000-9000 feet) and may occur in California. Aspects are variable with slopes 3-20%. Soils are poorly developed gravels and coarse sand over tuffs, breccias, and basalt.
Geographic Range: Although this type is similar to others, it is only known in Fremont National Forest in Oregon''s southeastern Cascades.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687333
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.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.b Sierra Lodgepole Pine Woodland Group | G243 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
| Alliance | A3622 Western Juniper - Whitebark Pine Woodland Alliance | A3622 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
| Association | CEGL000130 Whitebark Pine - Lodgepole Pine / Mountain Blue Penstemon Forest | CEGL000130 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Lodgepole Pine - Whitebark Pine / Gray Penstemon (Hopkins 1979a)
- Hopkins, W. E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. Technical Report R6-ECOL-79-004. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.