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CEGL000364 Picea engelmannii / Erigeron eximius Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Spruce-fir Fleabane Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This subalpine forest occurs throughout the mountains of central Arizona to southwestern and central New Mexico into the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico and into southern Colorado. It occurs on cool, relatively mesic to moist sites with gentle to steep slopes on all aspects (especially northerly) and also on lower slopes of canyon drainages. Elevations range from 2470 to 3050 m (8850 [>8100 in canyons]-10,000 feet). Soils are derived from latite or dactite volcanics. Typically, the ground surface is dominated by thick litter and dense herbaceous cover. This subalpine forest is characterized by a closed canopy of Picea engelmannii with Pseudotsuga menziesii as a codominant along with scattered Pinus flexilis. Occasional Populus tremuloides may be present, but total canopy cover is less than 10%. Abies concolor and Pinus strobiformis are sometimes abundant as reproduction, but never in the larger size classes. Sapling Picea engelmannii are well-represented in the understory along with seedlings of Populus tremuloides. Shrubs are scarce or absent. The herb layer can be relatively well-developed and is dominated by Erigeron eximius along with a mix of other forbs and grasses.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii and Pseudotsuga menziesii are climax dominants. Other mixed conifer species are present as minor climax and/or seral trees. Herbage coverage ranges from 19 to 102%. Erigeron eximius is present along with other dominant forbs. Pinus ponderosa and Abies lasiocarpa may be accidental species.
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: Vegetation is characterized by a closed canopy of Picea engelmannii with Pseudotsuga menziesii as a codominant along with scattered Pinus flexilis. Occasional Populus tremuloides may be present, but total canopy cover is less than 10%. Abies concolor and Pinus strobiformis are sometimes abundant as reproduction, but never in the larger size classes. Sapling Picea engelmannii are well-represented in the understory along with seedlings of Populus tremuloides. Shrubs are scarce or absent. The herb layer can be relatively well-developed and is dominated by Erigeron eximius along with a mix of other forbs and graminoids such as Carex siccata, Bromus ciliatus, Geranium richardsonii, Maianthemum stellatum, Goodyera oblongifolia, Orthilia secunda, Thalictrum fendleri, Valeriana spp., and Viola canadensis.
Dynamics: Fire scars at bases of some trees indicate ground fires have occurred in some stands. Extensive Populus tremuloides stands are probably the results of past stand-replacement fires.
Environmental Description: This subalpine forest occurs on cool, relatively mesic to moist sites with gentle to steep slopes on all aspects (especially northerly) and also on lower slopes of canyon drainages. Elevations range from 2470 to 3050 m (8850 [>8100 in canyons]-10,000 feet). Soils are derived from latite or dactite volcanics. Typically, the ground surface is dominated by thick litter and dense herbaceous cover.
Geographic Range: This subalpine forest occurs throughout the mountains of central Arizona to southwestern and central New Mexico into the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico and into southern Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688015
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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Mountain Hemlock Moist Forest & Woodland Group | G218 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Alliance | A3615 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A3615 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL000364 Engelmann Spruce / Spruce-fir Fleabane Forest | CEGL000364 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea engelmannii / Erigeron eximius (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Picea engelmannii / Erigeron eximius Habitat Type (Muldavin et al. 1996)
= Picea pungens - P. engelmannii / Erigeron superbus (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
= Picea engelmannii / Erigeron eximius Habitat Type (Muldavin et al. 1996)
= Picea pungens - P. engelmannii / Erigeron superbus (Moir and Ludwig 1979)
- 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.
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Moir, W. H., and J. A. Ludwig. 1979. A classification of spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat types of Arizona and New Mexico. Research Paper RM-207. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 47 pp.
- Muldavin, E. H., R. L. DeVelice, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1996. A classification of forest habitat types of southern Arizona and portions of the Colorado Plateau. General Technical Report RM-GTR-287. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 130 pp.
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- 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]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.