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CEGL008687 Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus monticola Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - Western White Pine Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found throughout the northern regions of the Sierra Nevada, predominantly north of the Kings River, occurring more commonly in the northern portions of this range. Stands are usually less than 10 acres in size. They are found at mid to high elevations (2170-2865 m [7120-9400 feet]) on somewhat steep to steep (30-60%) broken and hummocky slopes. Aspects range from northeast to northwest, and snow pack typically lingers into the summer. This association is usually found on the upper portions of slopes just below ridgetops. Soils are moderately deep to deep (56-100+ cm [22-40+ inches]) often greater than 100 cm. Soil texture varies between gravelly sands, gravelly sandy loams, and gravelly loams above sands and sandy loams. Soils are usually excessively drained due to coarse textures. Parent material is granitic or volcanic (including pumice) but rarely metamorphic. Stands form moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana. Pinus albicaulis and Abies magnifica are also significant. Pinus contorta occasionally contributes to minor cover. The shrub layer is essentially nonexistent. The understory herb layer is typically sparse and may include low amounts of Arabis platysperma, Hieracium albiflorum, Pedicularis semibarbata, Phacelia hydrophylloides, Poa bolanderi, Poa secunda, and Carex sp.
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 moderately dense forests dominated by Tsuga mertensiana. Pinus albicaulis and Abies magnifica are also significant. Pinus contorta occasionally contributes to minor cover. The shrub layer is essentially nonexistent. The understory herb layer is typically sparse and may include low amounts of Arabis platysperma, Hieracium albiflorum, Pedicularis semibarbata, Phacelia hydrophylloides, Poa bolanderi, Poa secunda (= Poa gracillima), and Carex sp. (Potter 1998).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this forest are found at mid to high elevations (2170-2865 m [7120-9400 feet]) on somewhat steep to steep (30-60%) broken and hummocky slopes. Aspects range from northeast to northwest, and snow pack typically lingers into the summer. This association is usually found on the upper portions of slopes just below ridgetops. Soils are moderately deep to deep (56-100+ cm [22-40+ inches]) often greater than 100 cm. Soil texture varies between gravelly sands, gravelly sandy loams, and gravelly loams above sands and sandy loams. Soils are usually excessively drained due to coarse textures. Parent material is granitic or volcanic (including pumice) but rarely metamorphic (Potter 1998).
Geographic Range: This association is found throughout the northern regions of the Sierra Nevada, predominantly north of the Kings River, occurring more commonly in the northern portions of this range. Stands are usually less than 10 acres in size (Potter 1998).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687538
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 | A3620 Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Sierran Forest Alliance | A3620 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008687 Mountain Hemlock - Western White Pine Forest | CEGL008687 | 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 monticola (Sawyer et al. 2009) [84.100.10]
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus monticola Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus monticola Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus monticola Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Tsuga mertensiana - Pinus monticola 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.
- Potter, D. A. 1994. Guide to forested communities of the upper montane in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. Technical Publication R5-ECOL-TP-003. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA.
- Potter, D. A. 1998. Forested communities of the upper montane in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA. 319 pp.
- 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.