Print Report
CEGL000304 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Carex geyeri Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Geyer''s Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest occupies the lower and grades into the upper subalpine zone of the interior mountains of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Utah. It occurs on shallow slopes and ridgetops, on all aspects. Slopes are mostly gentle but can be steep (6-48%). Elevation range is 2011 to 3260 m (6600-10,700 feet). Soils are non-gravelly to stony loams to silts, mostly from sedimentary substrates, and igneous parent material in Utah. The ground surface is mostly litter duff with traces of lichens and moss and has little rock or bare soil. Abies lasiocarpa is the dominant conifer in this forested association. Picea engelmannii is commonly a subdominant on all but the driest sites. Other conifers may be present and include Pinus contorta, Pinus albicaulis, and Pseudotsuga menziesii, these generally not exceeding the cover of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii combined. On higher and colder sites, Pinus albicaulis can be important. Shrub cover is variable, ranging from absent to 20% over. Species include Ribes spp., Vaccinium spp., Spiraea betulifolia, Mahonia repens, and Sorbus scopulina. The herbaceous layer is dominated by sparse to abundant Carex geyeri. Calamagrostis rubescens is generally absent or poorly represented. Forbs can be sparse. Other herbaceous species include Festuca idahoensis, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Osmorhiza spp., and Moneses uniflora. The dominance of Abies lasiocarpa in the upper canopy and as a reproducing tree, and the lack of abundance of other conifers, though present, is the differentiated character of the overstory, along with an abundance and constancy of Carex geyeri in the understory, characterize this association.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association grades into the higher and colder ~Pinus albicaulis - (Abies lasiocarpa) / Carex geyeri Woodland (CEGL000754)$$. Hall (1973) and Johnson and Clausnitzer (1992) types (mentioned above in related concepts) have equal dominance of Abies lasiocarpa and Pinus albicaulis. Some stands belong here, some with ~Pinus albicaulis - (Abies lasiocarpa) / Carex geyeri Woodland (CEGL000754)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Abies lasiocarpa, usually along with Picea engelmannii is the dominant conifer in this forested association. Other conifers may be present and include Pinus contorta, Pinus albicaulis, and Pseudotsuga menziesii, generally not exceeding the cover of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii combined. On moist sites in Utah, Populus tremuloides can be a codominant tree. On drier and more exposed sites, Picea engelmannii drops out. On higher and colder sites, Pinus albicaulis can become codominant. Shrub cover is variable, ranging from absent to 20% over. Species include Ribes spp., Vaccinium ssp., Spiraea betulifolia, Mahonia repens (= Berberis repens), and Sorbus scopulina. The herbaceous layer is dominated by sparse to abundant Carex geyeri. Calamagrostis rubescens is generally absent or poorly represented. Forbs can be sparse. Other herbaceous species include Festuca idahoensis, Pseudoroegneria spicata (= Agropyron spicatum), Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Osmorhiza spp., and Moneses uniflora (= Pyrola uniflora). The dominance of Abies lasiocarpa in the upper canopy and as a reproducing tree, and the lack of abundance of other conifers, though present, is the differentiated character of the overstory, along with an abundance and constancy of Carex geyeri in the understory characterize this association.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest occupies the lower subalpine zone on shallow slopes and ridgetops, on southerly aspects in Montana and Idaho, all aspects in Wyoming, mostly southerly aspects in Colorado and northerly aspects in southern Utah. Slopes are mostly gentle to occasionally steep (6-48%). Elevation range is 2011 to 3260 m (6600-10,700 feet), the low end corresponding to more northerly latitudes, the upper elevations occurring farther south, i.e., 2011 to 2350 m (6600-7700 feet) in southern Montana, 2377 to 2896 m (7800-9500 feet) in Idaho, 2331 to 2895 m (7650-9500 feet) in northern Wyoming, 2103 to 3260 m (6900-10,700 feet) in Colorado, 2680 to 2987 m (8800-9800 feet) in southern Utah, and 2072 to 2377 m (6850-7800 feet) in eastern Oregon and Washington. Soils are non-gravelly to stony loams to silts, mostly from sedimentary substrates, and igneous parent material in Utah. The ground surface is mostly litter duff with traces of lichens and moss and has little rock or bare soil.
Geographic Range: This association is known from eastern Oregon and Washington, central and eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, central and south-central Montana, southern and northern Utah, and western Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688007
Confidence Level: High
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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Lodgepole Pine Dry-Mesic Forest & Woodland Group | G219 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Alliance | A3643 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Forest Alliance | A3643 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL000304 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Geyer''s Sedge Forest | CEGL000304 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Komarkova 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Carex geyeri Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [(p.62)]
< Abies lasiocarpa - Pinus albicaulis - Carex geyeri Plant Community (Hall 1973) [(p.42) lower elevation stands are dominated by Abies lasiocarpa, higher elevation stand dominated by Pinus albicaulis.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Berberis repens Habitat Type, Carex geyeri Phase (Mauk and Henderson 1984) [(p.49), stand table (p.76).]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [(p.26), stand table (p.71-72).]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.59)]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type, Carex geyeri Phase (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.105), stand table (p.159). Stands reported to have 70% constancy of Pinus contorta with 74% average cover and Abies lasiocarpa with 100% constancy with 33% average cover. Some stands may fit the Pinus contorta / Carex geyeri, but only just.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Plant Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) [(p.37) some stands have up to 50% cover of Pinus albicaulis.]
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Carex geyeri Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [(p.62)]
< Abies lasiocarpa - Pinus albicaulis - Carex geyeri Plant Community (Hall 1973) [(p.42) lower elevation stands are dominated by Abies lasiocarpa, higher elevation stand dominated by Pinus albicaulis.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Berberis repens Habitat Type, Carex geyeri Phase (Mauk and Henderson 1984) [(p.49), stand table (p.76).]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [(p.26), stand table (p.71-72).]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.59)]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Alexander 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Habitat Type, Carex geyeri Phase (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.105), stand table (p.159). Stands reported to have 70% constancy of Pinus contorta with 74% average cover and Abies lasiocarpa with 100% constancy with 33% average cover. Some stands may fit the Pinus contorta / Carex geyeri, but only just.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Carex geyeri Plant Association (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) [(p.37) some stands have up to 50% cover of Pinus albicaulis.]
- Alexander, R. M. 1986. Classification of the forest vegetation of Wyoming. Research Note RM-466. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 10 pp.
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- Hess, K., and R. R. Alexander. 1986. Forest vegetation of the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests in northcentral Colorado: A habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-266. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 48 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- 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.
- Komarkova, V. 1982. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests, first approximation. Unpublished progress report Number 2 to USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Lakewood, CO. 206 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.
- Komarkova, V. K., R. R. Alexander, and B. C. Johnston. 1988b. Forest vegetation of the Gunnison and parts of the Uncompahgre national forests: A preliminary habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-163. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 65 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Mauk, R. L., and J. A. Henderson. 1984. Coniferous forest habitat types of northern Utah. General Technical Report INT-170. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 89 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.
- 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.
- Terwilliger, C., K. Hess, and C. Wasser. 1979a. Key to the preliminary habitat types of Region 2. Addendum to initial progress report for habitat type classification. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Wasser, C. H., and K. Hess. 1982. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A synthesis. Final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., and R. L. Mauk. 1985. Coniferous forest habitat types of central and southern Utah. General Technical Report INT-187. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 89 pp.