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CEGL008609 Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Red Fir / Sparse Understory Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is widespread in the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California. It begins to appear above Abies lowiana - Pinus lambertiana communities at the upper edge of the lower montane. It becomes dominant in the upper montane and gradually diminishes into the subalpine zone above. This association can occur at all elevations of the upper montane. Stands on the east side of the Sierra Nevada generally occur between 2440 and 2806 m (8000-9200 feet) elevation. Aspects are variable, but often northeast and northwest. Slopes range from gentle to steep. Stands are located on all slope positions, except they seldom occur on ridgetops. Microrelief on most sites is smooth and uniform. Soils are derived primarily from granite, with some volcanic in origin. Other parent materials are rare. Soils are significantly deeper than other sites and are usually well-drained sandy loams. This type has significantly lower levels of bare ground and surface gravel than most other sites, and litter cover and depth are significantly higher, reflecting the characteristic high levels of tree cover and debris on the forest floor. Stands are characteristically dense multi-layered forests with little ground cover. Total tree cover is one of the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. The overstory is dominated by a single tree, Abies magnifica. Understories are sparse; shrub and herb layers are essentially absent. In rare cases, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Quercus vacciniifolia, and Ceanothus cordulatus may be present in substantial amounts to indicate drier sites. Ceanothus cordulatus, while infrequent, is important in the understory due to its ability to rapidly occupy disturbed sites. The herb layer may contain Corallorhiza maculata, Pedicularis semibarbata, and Pyrola picta. Abies magnifica is the major regenerating species.
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 are characteristically dense multi-layered forests with little ground cover. Total tree cover is one of the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. The overstory is dominated by a single tree, Abies magnifica. Understories are sparse; shrub and herb layers are essentially absent. In rare cases, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Quercus vacciniifolia, and Ceanothus cordulatus may be present in substantial amounts to indicate drier sites. Ceanothus cordulatus, while infrequent, is important in the understory due to its ability to rapidly occupy disturbed sites. The herb layer may contain Corallorhiza maculata, Pedicularis semibarbata, and Pyrola picta. Abies magnifica is the major regenerating species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association can occur at all elevations of the upper montane. Stands on the east side of the Sierra Nevada generally occur between 2440 and 2806 m (8000-9200 feet) elevation. Aspects are variable, but often northeast and northwest. Slopes range from gentle to steep. Stands are located on all slope positions, except they seldom occur on ridgetops. Microrelief on most sites is smooth and uniform. Soils are derived primarily from granite, with some volcanic in origin. Other parent materials are rare. Soils are significantly deeper than other sites and are usually sandy loams. Soils are typically well-drained. This type has significantly lower levels of bare ground and surface gravel than most other sites, and litter cover and depth are significantly higher, reflecting the characteristic high levels of tree cover and debris on the forest floor.
Geographic Range: This association is widespread in the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California. It begins to appear above Abies lowiana - Pinus lambertiana communities at the upper edge of the lower montane. It becomes dominant in the upper montane and gradually diminishes into the subalpine zone above.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688352
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.a California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock Forest Group | G749 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Alliance | A3619 California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir Forest Alliance | A3619 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008609 California Red Fir / Sparse Understory Forest | CEGL008609 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies magnifica x procera association (Odion et al. 2013)
= Abies magnifica (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.200.23]
= Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest (Potter 1998)
= Abies magnifica Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Abies magnifica (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.200.23]
= Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest (Potter 1998)
= Abies magnifica Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- 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.
- Odion, D. C., D. A. DiPaolo, L. C. Groshong, D. A. Sarr, and S. Mohren. 2013. Vegetation Inventory Project: Oregon Caves National Monument and proposed expansion area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/ORCA/NRTR--2013/782. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 272 pp.
- Potter, D. A. 1998. Forested communities of the upper montane in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA. 319 pp.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.