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CEGL000277 Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Grand Fir / Mallow Ninebark Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic region of the northern Rocky Mountains from eastern Washington and Oregon to Montana. Ecoregional sections include the Okanogan Highlands, Bitterroot Mountains, Idaho Batholith, and Blue Mountains. This association occurs at 730-1310 m (2400-4300 feet) elevation on southeast- to west-facing slopes. Soils are loams and silt loams derived predominantly from granite and mica schist parent materials. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa are often dominant in early- and mid-seral stands. These fire-resistant species persist in the forest overstory and provide important large diameter stem structure in mid- and late-seral stands. Stands are characterized by the presence of a well-developed shrub layer. Physocarpus malvaceus is dominant. Holodiscus discolor and Acer glabrum are often associated. Common forbs include Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi, and Adenocaulon bicolor. Calamagrostis rubescens is often well-represented and may be abundant in early-seral stands. Historic disturbance regimes in these stands were primarily frequent low- to moderate-intensity fire.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The plant association is describe by Cooper et al. (1987) from (25) plots located in the Okanogan Highlands, Bitterroot Mountains, Idaho Batholith, and Blue Mountains ecoregional sections. The association is similar to the Physocarpus malvaceus phase of Abies grandis / Acer glabrum described by Steele et al. (1981) and Abies grandis / Acer glabrum - Physocarpus malvaceus described by Johnson and Simon (1987). Field differentiation between the associations may be difficult in portions of the range where the two associations overlap in distribution. Stands classified as the Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus association by Williams et al. (1990b) represent a wider range in environmental and floristic variation than those described by Cooper et al. (1987). The Williams et al. (1990b) data may include stands classified as Abies grandis / Holodiscus discolor / Calamagrostis rubescens by Lillybridge et al. (1995) or as Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora, Physocarpus malvaceus by Cooper et al. (1987).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The principal late-successional tree species is Abies grandis. Pseudotsuga menziesii is a common and persistent seral species which may dominate, or codominate with the Abies, in the tree layer at early-successional stages. Pinus ponderosa also occurs frequently as a seral species. Physocarpus malvaceus dominates the undergrowth with either Acer glabrum or Holodiscus discolor, with other shrubs such as Symphoricarpos albus, Rosa gymnocarpa, and Spiraea betulifolia also occurring with high covers and constancies. Cooper et al. (1987) remark that the occurrence of these shrubs declines with increasing stand age and tree cover. Common forbs include Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Adenocaulon bicolor. Calamagrostis rubescens is often well-represented and may be abundant in early-seral stands.
Dynamics: This type has not been classified into a fire group for its area of occurrence. Because it is a dry type, it is more susceptible to fire than other Abies grandis types. After a severe fire, stands in an early-successional stage have no grand fir in the tree overstory, become dominated by Douglas-fir, and contain as much as three times greater cover by ninebark beneath more open tree canopies (Johnson and Simon 1987). Heavy domestic and wild ungulate disturbance in the understories will increase the occurrence of Arnica cordifolia, Moehringia macrophylla, and Thalictrum occidentale.
Environmental Description: This association is found between 670 and 1707 m (2200-5600 feet ) elevation and is usually located on steep, southeast- and southwest-facing, mid to lower slopes on convex to undulating sites. The dominant parent materials are granite and mica schist. Ash layers in the soil are rare. Most soils are loams and silt loams of fine texture. Gravel content varies, with only trace amounts of surface rock and bare soil.
This is one of the driest and warmest mid-elevation grand fir types (Cooper et al. 1991). No precise climatic data are available for this type. However, its location in Washington, Idaho and Oregon subjects it to a maritime climate during winter and early spring which moderates its temperature and environment for plant growth through prolonged, gentle rainfall interspersed with periods of fog and heavy cloud cover. In late spring, the maritime influence diminishes and is replaced by a continental climate characterized by warm days and cold nights. Small amounts of precipitation are delivered in brief downpours. This results in plant species tolerating greater summer drought and severely fluctuating temperatures.
This is one of the driest and warmest mid-elevation grand fir types (Cooper et al. 1991). No precise climatic data are available for this type. However, its location in Washington, Idaho and Oregon subjects it to a maritime climate during winter and early spring which moderates its temperature and environment for plant growth through prolonged, gentle rainfall interspersed with periods of fog and heavy cloud cover. In late spring, the maritime influence diminishes and is replaced by a continental climate characterized by warm days and cold nights. Small amounts of precipitation are delivered in brief downpours. This results in plant species tolerating greater summer drought and severely fluctuating temperatures.
Geographic Range: This association is found in northern Idaho into northeastern Oregon and eastern Washington. It occurs within the maritime-influenced climatic region of the northern Rocky Mountains. The range includes the northwestern portion of the Idaho Batholith, northeastern corner of the Blue Mountains, western portion of Bitterroot Mountains, and the eastern portion of the Okanogan Highlands ecoregional section.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687716
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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.a Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G211 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3362 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3362 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL000277 Grand Fir / Mallow Ninebark Forest | CEGL000277 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Abies grandis / Acer glabrum - Physocarpus malvaceus (Johnson and Simon 1987) [found in northeastern Oregon between 1130 and 1710 m (3700-5600 feet).]
? Abies grandis / Acer glabrum Habitat Type, Physocarpus malvaceus Phase (Steele et al. 1981) [This type is similar in floristic composition, but it does not occupy the cool exposures described by Steele.]
? Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Physocarpus malvaceus Phase (Cooper et al. 1987)
? Abies grandis / Holodiscus discolor / Calamagrostis rubescens (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/HODI/CARU COMMUNITY TYPE CWS554]
< Abies grandis / Paxistima myrsinites Habitat Type (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968) [found in northern Idaho.]
= Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in northern Idaho between 670 and 1400 m (2200-4600 feet).]
? Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus Plant Association (Williams et al. 1995) [represents a wider range in environmental and floristic variation than those described by Cooper et al. (1991).]
? Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus (Williams et al. 1990b) [found in the Colville National Forest of northeastern Washington between 786 and 1240 m (2580-4070 feet).]
? Abies grandis / Acer glabrum Habitat Type, Physocarpus malvaceus Phase (Steele et al. 1981) [This type is similar in floristic composition, but it does not occupy the cool exposures described by Steele.]
? Abies grandis / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Physocarpus malvaceus Phase (Cooper et al. 1987)
? Abies grandis / Holodiscus discolor / Calamagrostis rubescens (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABGR/HODI/CARU COMMUNITY TYPE CWS554]
< Abies grandis / Paxistima myrsinites Habitat Type (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968) [found in northern Idaho.]
= Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [found in northern Idaho between 670 and 1400 m (2200-4600 feet).]
? Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus Plant Association (Williams et al. 1995) [represents a wider range in environmental and floristic variation than those described by Cooper et al. (1991).]
? Abies grandis / Physocarpus malvaceus (Williams et al. 1990b) [found in the Colville National Forest of northeastern Washington between 786 and 1240 m (2580-4070 feet).]
- 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.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- Daubenmire, R. F., and J. B. Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 60. 104 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Rust, S. K. 2000. Representativeness assessment of research natural areas on National Forest System lands in Idaho. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-45. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 129 pp.
- 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.
- 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.
- Williams, C. K., B. F. Kelly, B. G. Smith, and T. R. Lillybridge. 1995. Forest plant associations of the Colville National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-360. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 140 pp.
- Williams, C. K., T. R. Lillybridge, and B. G. Smith. 1990b. Forested plant associations of the Colville National Forest. Report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 133 pp.