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CEGL000347 Abies magnifica / Ribes viscosissimum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Red Fir / Sticky Currant Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These late-seral subalpine forests occur in the northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada of the Pacific Northwest. Elevations range from 1400-2700 m. They are adapted to deep winter snow and dry summer. Stands are found on shallow, well-drained soils on slopes and raised stream benches on all aspects. The open to closed canopy (40-100% cover) of coniferous trees is less than 60 m in height and dominated by Abies magnifica in both the canopy and subcanopy. Other trees in the canopy may include Abies lowiana, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus monticola, and Tsuga mertensiana. A sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer is usually present and typically includes the broadleaf deciduous shrub Ribes viscosissimum, which is diagnostic for this association. Other shrubs may include Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, Symphoricarpos mollis, Ribes montigenum, Ribes cereum, Spiraea splendens, Sambucus racemosa, and Arctostaphylos nevadensis. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse, but may be diverse, commonly including Eucephalus breweri, Monardella odoratissima, Gayophytum ramosissimum, Pedicularis semibarbata, Pyrola picta, and Poa bolanderi. The lichen Letharia vulpina is a constant species in these stands and is uncommon elsewhere. These stands differ from other Abies species stands by the lack of Picea in the understory.
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: The open to closed canopy (40-100% cover) of coniferous trees is less than 60 m in height and dominated by Abies magnifica in both the canopy and subcanopy. Other trees in the canopy may include Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus monticola, and Tsuga mertensiana. A sparse to moderately dense (10-40% cover) short-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) is usually present and typically includes the broadleaf deciduous shrub Ribes viscosissimum, which is diagnostic for this association. Other shrubs may include Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, Symphoricarpos mollis, Ribes montigenum, Ribes cereum, Spiraea splendens, Sambucus racemosa, and Arctostaphylos nevadensis. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse, but may be diverse, commonly including Eucephalus breweri (= Aster breweri), Monardella odoratissima, Gayophytum ramosissimum, Pedicularis semibarbata, Pyrola picta, and Poa bolanderi. The lichen Letharia vulpina (= Evernia vulpina) is a constant species in these stands and is uncommon elsewhere. These stands differ from other Abies species stands by the lack of Picea in the understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These late-seral subalpine forests occur in the northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada of the Pacific Northwest. Elevations range from 1400-2700 m. They are adapted to deep winter snow and dry summer. Stands are found on shallow, well-drained soils on slopes and raised stream benches on all aspects.
Geographic Range: These subalpine forests occur in the northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, Cascade Range, and the Sierra Nevada in California and extreme west-central Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687836
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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 | A3619 California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir Forest Alliance | A3619 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL000347 California Red Fir / Sticky Currant Forest | CEGL000347 | 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: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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.
- Oosting, H. J., and W. D. Billings. 1943. The red fir forest of the Sierra Nevada: Abietum magnificae. Ecological Monographs 13:259-274.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.