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CEGL003069 Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Sparse Understory Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Sparse Understory Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is widespread at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, California. It is found at the highest elevations of the upper montane, often sharing this position with ~Abies magnifica - Pinus monticola - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (CEGL008616)$$. Together, they straddle the Sierran crest at higher elevations. Stands can cover extensive areas, but most are less than 100 acres due to natural fragmentation of the landscape. Elevations are mostly above 2590 m (8500 feet) and aspects are variable. Slopes range from gentle to somewhat steep, but are predominantly moderate or gentle. The association typically occurs on the lower portions of slopes or on benches. Soils are derived from igneous rocks, primarily granite, but also pumice, rhyolite and andesite, and have sandy loam or gravelly loam textures. Soils are typically well-drained, but may be excessively drained. Sites are characterized by significantly higher levels of surface gravel as compared to other associations in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. Litter cover is also generally high. Stands of this association are moderately dense forests with open understories. Tree cover is moderate, averaging 59% cover. Tree overstories are dominated by Pinus contorta var. murrayana with very scattered Abies magnifica. Pinus monticola is a rare member of the stand. The shrub layer is essentially absent, averaging less than 1%, although Ribes montigenum occurs in widely scattered locations, indicating moist conditions. Cover of herbaceous dicots is among the lowest in the upper montane associations, averaging 3%; the species represent a mix of moderate to dry conditions (e.g., Arabis platysperma indicating drier sites and Pyrola picta and Thalictrum fendleri indicating moister sites). Herbaceous monocots average 10% cover, with Carex rossii indicating moister conditions and Achnatherum occidentale indicating drier conditions. Conifer regeneration is moderate, dominated by Pinus contorta var. murrayana, with generally more than 250 seedlings per acre.
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: Stands of this association are moderately dense forests with open understories. Tree cover is moderate, averaging 59% cover. Tree overstories are dominated by Pinus contorta var. murrayana with very scattered Abies magnifica. Pinus monticola is a rare member of the stand. The shrub layer is essentially absent, averaging less than 1%, although Ribes montigenum occurs in widely scattered locations, indicating moist conditions. Cover of herbaceous dicots is among the lowest in the upper montane associations, averaging 3%; the species represent a mix of moderate to dry conditions (e.g., Arabis platysperma indicating drier sites and Pyrola picta and Thalictrum fendleri indicating moister sites). Herbaceous monocots average 10% cover, with Carex rossii indicating moister conditions and Achnatherum occidentale indicating drier conditions. Conifer regeneration is moderate, dominated by Pinus contorta var. murrayana, with generally more than 250 seedlings per acre.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations are mostly above 2590 m (8500 feet) and aspects are variable. Slopes range from gentle to somewhat steep, but are predominantly moderate or gentle. The association typically occurs on the lower portions of slopes or on benches. Soils are derived from igneous rocks, primarily granite, but also pumice, rhyolite and andesite, and have sandy loam or gravelly loam textures. Soils are typically well-drained, but may be excessively drained. Sites are characterized by significantly higher levels of surface gravel as compared to other associations in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. Litter cover is also generally high.
Geographic Range: This association is widespread at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, California. This association is found at the highest elevations of the upper montane, often sharing this position with ~Abies magnifica - Pinus monticola - Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (CEGL008616)$$. Together, they straddle the Sierran crest at higher elevations. Stands can cover extensive areas, but most are less than 100 acres due to natural fragmentation of the landscape.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN?, NV, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688257
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
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.b Sierra Lodgepole Pine Woodland Group | G243 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
| Alliance | A3621 Sierra Lodgepole Pine Subalpine Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3621 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
| Association | CEGL003069 Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Sparse Understory Forest | CEGL003069 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [87.080.01]
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Sparse Understory Forest (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Sparse Understory Forest (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
= Pinus contorta var. murrayana Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- DiPaolo, D. A., D. C. Odion, K. M. Rolih, P. Adamus, and D. A. Sarr. 2018. Vegetation classification and mapping: Crater Lake National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/CRLA/NRR--2018/1663. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 550 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 2002. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. August 2002.
- 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- 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.