Print Report

CEGL000261 Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Gambel Oak Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest association has been reported from mountains in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and in Arizona. Stands occur along the Mogollon Rim north to the Wasatch Range and east to the southern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1680-2930 m (5500-9600 feet). This community is widespread and often occurs on middle and lower slopes and all aspects except south and southwestern. Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii typically codominate the upper tree canopy. Pinus ponderosa, Pinus strobiformis, and Juniperus spp. may also be present. Quercus gambelii dominates the subcanopy and undergrowth. Other shrub species may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Robinia neomexicana, and Mahonia repens. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is typically composed of Carex rossii, Poa fendleriana, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Thalictrum fendleri, and Achillea millefolium. Stands transition to ~Pinus ponderosa / Quercus gambelii Woodland (CEGL000870)$$ in drier sites.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii are the principal climax forest species. Pinus ponderosa and Pinus strobiformis are common seral associates. Quercus gambelii is a major seral tree in the shrub layer usually with cover values exceeding 5%. Pinus edulis and Juniperus deppeana may occur as accidental trees especially on the drier sites.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Note that this association typically does not include Acer grandidentatum.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This forest association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy typically codominated by Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Abies concolor may not dominate all stands but is present in the tree canopy with at least 5% cover. Pinus ponderosa, Pinus strobiformis, and Juniperus spp. may also be present to codominant. Quercus gambelii dominates the subcanopy and undergrowth with 5-30% cover. Other shrub species may include Acer grandidentatum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus intricatus, Paxistima myrsinites, Prunus virginiana, Robinia neomexicana, Mahonia repens, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer may be diverse. Characteristic species include Achillea millefolium, Apocynum androsaemifolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Carex rossii, Erigeron arenarioides, Eriogonum brevicaule, Eriogonum racemosum, Galium multiflorum, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus arizonicus), Leucopoa kingii, Linaria dalmatica, Maianthemum racemosum (= Smilacina racemosa), Penstemon pachyphyllus, Penstemon platyphyllus, Petradoria pumila, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Sedum debile, Solidago velutina, and Thalictrum fendleri. Seedlings of Abies concolor and Juniperus scopulorum may also be present. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor saplings up to 2 m tall contribute sparse cover.

Dynamics:  Huckaby and Brown (1995) have studied fire scars in tree rings on several sites in this habitat type in the Sacramento Mountains. Preliminary analysis for one site (Delworth) shows a mean fire interval of 16 +/-8 years, with a range of 6 to 31 years between fires for the 17th -19th century. Fires tended to occur in early to mid growing season. On one site (Fir Campground Area IV), fires were more frequent in the 19th century than the 17th or 18th century. Fires in the 20th century have been very limited. Fire history is important in determining stand structure and composition. Oaks rapidly recover, and where crown fires have removed conifer canopies, oaks have the potential to dominate the site for over a hundred years.
Environmental Description:  This forest association has been reported from mountains in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and in Arizona along the Mogollon Rim. Elevations range from 1717-2930 m (5630-9600 feet). This community is widespread and often occurs on middle and lower slopes of canyons and mountains and on all aspects except southern and southwestern. Slopes range from gentle to steep. Substrates are variable but are frequently rapidly drained loams. Litter cover is generally high except on steep slopes where rock cover is high. Stands transition to ~Pinus ponderosa / Quercus gambelii Woodland (CEGL000870)$$ in drier sites.
Geographic Range: This forest association has been reported from mountains and plateaus in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Stands occur along the Mogollon Rim north into the Wasatch Range, west into the southern Rocky Mountains, and on the Paunsaugunt Plateau of southern Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM, UT


Confidence Level: Moderate

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 CEGL000261 White Fir / Gambel Oak Forest CEGL000261 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 / Quercus gambelii (Stuever and Hayden 1997a) [identifies 4 phases.]
= Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
= Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Habitat Type (Muldavin et al. 1996)
= Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
Concept Author(s): M.C. Stuever and J.S. Hayden (1997a)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-18
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