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CEGL000270 Abies grandis / Athyrium filix-femina Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Common Ladyfern Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found at moderately low to moderately high elevations in the Blue Mountains ecoregion of Oregon, as well as Montana and Washington. The Blue Mountains sites are associated with streambanks and floodplains. V-shaped, moderate- to very high-gradient, narrow valleys are characteristic of this type. Soils are composed of silt loam or silty clay loams over gravels and cobbles. Mean depth to the buried streambed is 25 cm. Spring flooding of these sites is followed the water table retreating 30-60 cm by fall. Rosgen stream reach types of B3 and B4 were identified. Abies grandis dominates the multi-storied tree layer. Picea engelmannii is occasionally abundant as a codominant species. Shrubs are poorly represented in this type with the exception of occasional, well-represented Alnus species: Alnus incana occurs at lower elevations and Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata at higher elevations. Athyrium filix-femina is well-represented to abundant with mean coverage of 53%. A diverse group of forbs and grasses are supported on these wet sites. These include Mitella pentandra, Streptopus amplexifolius, Circaea alpina, Rudbeckia occidentalis, Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata, Claytonia cordifolia, Urtica dioica, Saxifraga odontoloma, Adenocaulon bicolor, Maianthemum stellatum, Cinna latifolia, and Bromus vulgaris. Average height of the shrub overstory is 4.6 m. Average height of the shrub understory is 3.1 m. Average height of the herbaceous layer is 31 cm. Average herbaceous biomass is 1293 lbs/acre, ranging from 147-2067 lbs/acre. This association is probably stable and self-perpetuating in species composition with the absence of fire. Moderate fires will kill Abies grandis, and sites may subsequently be dominated by Alnus incana associations until Abies grandis becomes re-established on the site.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is defined as a PNV vegetation type. If it were renamed as a dominance type, the species would include Abies grandis and Picea engelmannii.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This association is found at moderately low to moderately high elevations in the Blue Mountains ecoregion of Oregon, as well as Montana and Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687553
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3Q
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group | G506 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A3762 Grand Fir Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance | A3762 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL000270 Grand Fir / Common Ladyfern Riparian Forest | CEGL000270 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies grandis / Athyrium filix-femina (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.54)]
= Abies grandis / Athyrium filix-femina Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Abies grandis / Athyrium filix-femina Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
- 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.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- Hansen, P., K. Boggs, and R. Pfister. 1991. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in Montana. Unpublished draft version prepared for Montana Riparian Association, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula. 478 pp.
- 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.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.