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CEGL000286 Abies grandis - Tsuga heterophylla / Clintonia uniflora Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir - Western Hemlock / Bride''s Bonnet Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herb-rich coniferous forest association is found on the eastern slope of the Oregon Cascades. Stands are found around 1000 m elevation near streams or in areas where cool, moist air flows down from above. The canyon topography coupled with the lower slope position favored by this association assures a moist, cool environment with low fire risk. Precipitation averages 135 cm annually. Soils are fine, sandy loams derived from Breccia or ash over basalt parent material. The tree canopy averages nearly 90% cover and is dominated by Abies grandis and Pseudotsuga menziesii with substantial (up to 20%) cover of Tsuga heterophylla. Additional conifers present in the overstory may include Thuja plicata, Taxus brevifolia, Larix occidentalis, and/or Pinus ponderosa. The shrub layer is characterized by dense patches of Mahonia nervosa, Acer circinatum and Rosa gymnocarpa. Symphoricarpos mollis is usually present and may become abundant where ground disturbance has occurred in mature stands. The herbaceous layer contains species characteristic of mesic eastside conditions: Linnaea borealis, Achlys triphylla, Maianthemum stellatum, Viola glabella, Viola sempervirens, and Clintonia uniflora.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is very similar floristically to types in Montana and Idaho except for the greater percentage of Abies grandis and the presence of range-restricted forbs.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The tree canopy averages nearly 90% cover and is dominated by Abies grandis and Pseudotsuga menziesii with substantial (up to 20%) cover of Tsuga heterophylla. Additional conifers present in the overstory may include Thuja plicata, Taxus brevifolia, Larix occidentalis, and/or Pinus ponderosa. The shrub layer is characterized by dense patches of Mahonia nervosa (= var. nervosa), Acer circinatum and Rosa gymnocarpa. Symphoricarpos mollis is usually present and may become abundant where ground disturbance has occurred in mature stands. The herbaceous layer contains species characteristic of mesic eastside conditions: Linnaea borealis, Achlys triphylla, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Viola glabella, Viola sempervirens, and Clintonia uniflora.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This herb-rich coniferous forest association is found on the eastern slope of the Oregon Cascades. Stands are found around 1000 m elevation near streams or in areas where cool, moist air flows down from above. The canyon topography coupled with the lower slope position favored by this association assures a moist, cool environment with low fire risk. Precipitation averages 135 cm annually. Soils are fine, sandy loams derived from Breccia or ash over basalt parent material.
Geographic Range: Restricted to the eastern side of the Mount Hood National Forest, with most occurrences in the upper White River drainage, but one in the Hood River drainage. This is the only area in eastern Oregon where western hemlock and grand fir grow together.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687581
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.3 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir - Western Larch Mesic Lower Montane Forest Macrogroup | M500 | 1.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c Grand Fir - Douglas-fir East Cascades Forest Group | G212 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Alliance | A3582 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir Cascadian Mesic Cove Forest Alliance | A3582 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
| Association | CEGL000286 Grand Fir - Western Hemlock / Bride''s Bonnet Forest | CEGL000286 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Tsuga heterophylla - Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora (Topik et al. 1988) [(p.111)]
- 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.
- 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.
- Topik, C., N. M. Halverson, and T. High. 1988. Plant associations and management guide of the ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and grand fir zone, Mt. Hood National Forest. R6-ECOL-TP-004-88. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 136 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.