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CEGL000252 Abies concolor / Muhlenbergia straminea Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Screwleaf Muhly Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are the dominant forest species. Abies concolor may be poorly represented (<5% cover) in the overstory. Both may be present in all age classes; if lacking in larger sizes, they will be well-represented as regeneration. Pinus ponderosa may be present as sparse regeneration and scattered old individuals as well. Pinus strobiformis may be present in smaller age classes. In the understory, shrubs, except for Quercus gambelii, are minor or poorly represented (<5% cover). Both grasses and forbs are prominent in the herbaceous layer. Relative proportions of species vary with ground conditions. This type occurs on ridges down to midslopes, on all aspects, especially south. Elevations range from 2500 to 2800 m (8000-9200 feet) and is known from the White Mountains of Arizona and the Black Range and Mogollon Mountains of New Mexico.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii codominate but Abies concolor may be poorly represented in the overstory. Pinus ponderosa is a major seral tree usually having scattered old individuals in the overstory with sparse reproduction beneath. Pinus strobiformis is often represented by young and advanced regeneration in the understory. Picea pungens may be accidental and is present in smaller size classes. Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Juniperus spp., and riparian tree species are absent. In the understory, coverage of shrubs is less than 5%. Quercus gambelii is a major shrub. Muhlenbergia virescens dominates the grasses with more than 1% cover. In shaded microsites, Muhlenbergia virescens may be reduced and other graminoids more strongly expressed. Forbs are also prominent in the herb layer.
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: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are the dominant forest species. Abies concolor may be poorly represented (<5% cover) in the overstory. Both may be present in all age classes; if lacking in larger sizes, they will be well-represented as regeneration. Pinus ponderosa may be present as sparse regeneration and scattered old individuals as well. Pinus strobiformis may be present in smaller age classes. In the understory, shrubs, except for Quercus gambelii, are minor or poorly represented (<5% cover). Both grasses and forbs are prominent in the herbaceous layer. Relative proportions of species vary with ground conditions.
Dynamics: Fire history is important in the succession of stands in this type. With fire exclusion, Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are more dominant and regeneration is dense. The erratic burning characteristics of fire creates patchy mosaics of regeneration. Prior to this century, fire was a common thinning agent whether it merely killed younger, smaller trees at low intensities or consumed entire stands from high-intensity crown fires. Low-intensity surface fires can be a useful management tool to perpetuate Pinus ponderosa as the primary species.
Pteridium aquilinum, Lupinus argenteus, and Poa pratensis increase in coverage when sites are disturbed by fire or repeated long-term heavy grazing. In dense pole stands the herbaceous layer is often sparse, but occasional Muhlenbergia virescens clumps may persist.
Pteridium aquilinum, Lupinus argenteus, and Poa pratensis increase in coverage when sites are disturbed by fire or repeated long-term heavy grazing. In dense pole stands the herbaceous layer is often sparse, but occasional Muhlenbergia virescens clumps may persist.
Environmental Description: This type occurs on ridges down to midslopes, on all aspects, especially south. Elevations range from 2500 to 2800 m (8000-9200 feet) and is known from the White Mountains of Arizona and the Black Range and Mogollon Mountains of New Mexico.
Geographic Range: This type is known from the White Mountains of Arizona and the Black Range and Mogollon Mountains of New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687898
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3420 White Fir Dry Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3420 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000252 White Fir / Screwleaf Muhly Forest | CEGL000252 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor / Muhlenbergia virescens (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies concolor / Muhlenbergia virescens Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
= Abies concolor / Muhlenbergia virescens Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
- 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.
- Fitzhugh, E. L., W. H. Moir, J. A. Ludwig, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1987. Forest habitat types in the Apache, Gila, and part of the Cibola national forests. General Technical Report RM-145. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 116 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997b. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico. Volume 2: Woodlands. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Habitat Typing Guides. 196 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 140 pp. plus insert.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987b. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of Arizona south of the Mogollon Rim and southwestern New Mexico. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 168 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.