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CEGL000174 Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry / Pinegrass Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association can be recognized by Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium with relatively high cover of Calamagrostis rubescens as well as the presence of other warmer site sub-shrubs and thus constitutes a relatively distinct environment. This association occurs in the Canadian, northern and middle Rocky Mountains from lower to mid-elevations of the subalpine zone, apparently not associated with positions of any particular slope or aspect; it also occurs on flats and basins. In Montana, it occurs predominantly east of the Continental Divide at elevations from 1370 to 2165 m (4500-7100 feet). It does occur west of the Continental Divide in Montana, however well to the south; as noted by Daubenmire and Daubenmire (1968) this type is inversely associated with areas where the Inland Pacific Maritime climatic regime is strongest, thus it is scarce in northern Idaho and eastern Washington as well. In central and eastern Idaho and Wyoming, it is found from 1740 to 2410 m (5700-7900 feet) elevation. Pinus contorta is the canopy dominant, not sharing this condition with any other tree species, though obviously these are seral stands as noted by the complement of Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Picea engelmannii in the subcanopy or reproductive layers. The shrub layer is represented almost exclusively by dwarf-shrubs, including the diagnostic Vaccinium scoparium (and/or Vaccinium myrtillus) and Mahonia repens, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Spiraea betulifolia; potentially mid-sized shrubs, including Vaccinium membranaceum, Paxistima myrsinites, Shepherdia canadensis, Lonicera utahensis, and Juniperus communis, occur here in minor amounts (<5% cover), environmentally constrained to dwarf-shrub size and evidencing constancy differences by region. Vaccinium scoparium, almost always the dominant shrub, varies highly in cover from about 5% (relatively closed-canopy stands) to what appears a continuous sward, especially when the cover of Calamagrostis rubescens or Carex geyeri fills what canopy gaps that may exist. Carex rossii is the only other graminoid that occurs with even moderate constancy and always low cover. Forbs constitute an insignificant component with only two species, Arnica cordifolia and Orthilia secunda, evidencing high constancy across the type''s range, though only Arnica is capable of exhibiting relatively high cover (exceeding 5%) as well. Other forbs exhibiting high constancy on a regional basis include Thalictrum occidentale, Lupinus argenteus, Osmorhiza berteroi, Fragaria virginiana, Geranium viscosissimum, and Viola adunca.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Compare this association with ~Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Forest (CEGL000172)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Pinus contorta is the canopy dominant, not sharing this condition with any other tree species, though obviously these are seral stands as noted by the complement of Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Picea engelmannii in the subcanopy or reproductive layers. The shrub layer is represented almost exclusively by dwarf-shrubs, including the diagnostic Vaccinium scoparium (and/or Vaccinium myrtillus) and Mahonia repens, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Spiraea betulifolia; potentially mid-sized shrubs, including Vaccinium membranaceum, Paxistima myrsinites, Shepherdia canadensis, Lonicera utahensis, and Juniperus communis, occur here in minor amounts (<5% cover), environmentally constrained to dwarf-shrub size and evidencing constancy differences by region. Vaccinium scoparium, almost always the dominant shrub, varies highly in cover from about 5% (relatively closed-canopy stands) to what appears a continuous sward, especially when the cover of Calamagrostis rubescens or Carex geyeri fills what canopy gaps that may exist. Carex rossii is the only other graminoid that occurs with even moderate constancy and always low cover. Forbs constitute an insignificant component with only two species, Arnica cordifolia and Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), evidencing high constancy across the type''s range, though only Arnica is capable of exhibiting relatively high cover (exceeding 5%) as well. Other forbs exhibiting high constancy on a regional basis include Thalictrum occidentale, Lupinus argenteus, Osmorhiza berteroi, Fragaria virginiana, Geranium viscosissimum, and Viola adunca.
Dynamics: Pinus contorta dominance in this association is attributable to fire history and topo-edaphic conditions (Pfister et al. 1977, Steele et al. 1981, 1983); following stand-replacing fire, this species rapidly colonizes (due to closed, serotinous cones casting abundant, post-burn seed) and develops into dense stands (usual result) of even-aged trees. The time to eventual stand break-up and succession to more shade-tolerant conifers is probably strongly predicated upon initial stocking rates, and there are apparently considerable regional differences in the longevity of Pinus contorta, but most stands in the northern Rocky Mountains begin to deteriorate at about 80 to 120 years with only occasional specimens becoming older than 150 years. Most stands would be considered early- to mid-successional with some in the middle Rocky Mountains attaining old-growth status. Almost all stands of this association are considered seral to Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest (currently not in the IVC), but following catastrophic fire, it may occupy sites potentially supporting ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Xerophyllum tenax Forest (CEGL005914)$$ (Xerophyllum tenax being somewhat fire-susceptible and slow to re-establish).
Environmental Description: This association occurs in the Canadian, northern and middle Rocky Mountains from lower to mid-elevations of the subalpine zone, apparently not associated with positions of any particular slope or aspect; it also occurs on flats and basins. In Montana, it occurs predominantly east of the Continental Divide at elevations from 1370 to 2165 m (4500-7100 feet). It does occur west of the Continental Divide in Montana, however well to the south; as noted by Daubenmire and Daubenmire (1968) this type is inversely associated with areas where the Inland Pacific Maritime climatic regime is strongest, thus it is scarce in northern Idaho and eastern Washington as well. In central and eastern Idaho and Wyoming, it is found from 1740 to 2410 m (5700-7900 feet) elevation.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Canadian, northern and middle Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687713
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.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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G220 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Alliance | A3366 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A3366 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000174 Lodgepole Pine / Grouse Whortleberry / Pinegrass Forest | CEGL000174 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus contorta / Vaccinium scoparium Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987)
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- 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.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Steele, R., S. V. Cooper, D. M. Ondov, D. W. Roberts, and R. D. Pfister. 1983. Forest habitat types of eastern Idaho - western Wyoming. General Technical Report INT-144. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 122 pp.
- Volland, L. A. 1976. Plant communities of the central Oregon pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R-6 Area Guide 4-2. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 113 pp.
- 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.