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CEGL008688 Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is currently only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are found at high elevations (2650-3020 m [8700-9900 feet]) on the upper portions of gentle to steep slopes (4-45°). Aspect varies but tends to be northerly. Slopes are often concave in shape. These sites are typically found on poorly developed to moderately well-developed soils with textures ranging from rocky gravel to loams. Soils are usually well-drained with depths that are shallow to deep. Parent material is granitic. Fire is uncommon and often restricted in size. This association and many of the high-elevation conifer association are extremely limited in extent on the east side due to harsh environmental conditions including relatively low precipitation and cold. Stands form sparse to moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana and Pinus contorta, although Pinus contorta is less abundant. Other tree species that may be found contributing to minor cover in this association include Abies magnifica, Pinus monticola, Pinus jeffreyi, and Pinus lambertiana. The understory layer is often open and my include Juncus sp., Lupinus sp., Lonicera conjugialis, Carex sp., Chrysolepis sempervirens, Spiraea splendens, and Antennaria media.
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: Stands form sparse to moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana and Pinus contorta, although Pinus contorta is less abundant. Other tree species that may be found contributing to minor cover in this association include Abies magnifica, Pinus monticola, Pinus jeffreyi, and Pinus lambertiana. The understory layer is often open and my include Juncus sp., Lupinus sp., Lonicera conjugialis, Carex sp., Chrysolepis sempervirens, Spiraea splendens (= Spiraea densiflora), and Antennaria media (= Antennaria alpina var. media).
Dynamics: Fire is uncommon and often restricted in size.
Environmental Description: Stands are found at high elevations (2650-3020 m [8700-9900 feet]) on the upper portions of gentle to steep slopes (4-45°). Aspect varies but tends to be northerly. Slopes are often concave in shape. These sites are typically found on poorly developed to moderately well-developed soils with textures ranging from rocky gravel to loams. Soils are usually well-drained with depths that are shallow to deep. Parent material is granitic. This association and many of the high-elevation conifer association are extremely limited in extent on the east side due to harsh environmental conditions including relatively low precipitation and cold.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from Yosemite National Park. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687441
Confidence Level: Low
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.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 | A3620 Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Sierran Forest Alliance | A3620 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008688 Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Forest | CEGL008688 | 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: = Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [84.100.15]
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.