Print Report
CEGL000503 Tsuga mertensiana - Abies amabilis - (Callitropsis nootkatensis) / Elliottia pyroliflora - Vaccinium membranaceum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - (Alaska-cedar) / Copperbush - Thinleaf Huckleberry Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in very wet climatic areas of the northwestern Cascade Range of Washington and the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia. In Washington, it occurs at elevations of 900-1400 m, primarily on north-facing slopes, shallow soils, and mid to upper slopes, where the snowpack is very deep. This is a needle-leaved evergreen conifer woodland, usually with relatively short trees (mean height of 17 m after 100 years). Tsuga mertensiana is the most abundant tree, averaging about 40% cover; Abies amabilis is always present in smaller amounts, and Callitropsis nootkatensis is usually prominent also. Understory vegetation is dominated by a relatively dense layer of shrubs 0.8-2 m tall, mostly deciduous broad-leaved Vaccinium ovalifolium and evergreen broad-leaved Elliottia pyroliflora, and to a lesser degree Vaccinium membranaceum and Menziesia ferruginea. The dwarf-shrubs Phyllodoce empetriformis and Vaccinium deliciosum are sometimes present and occasionally prominent, mostly at the upper elevational limits of the type. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Rubus pedatus and the fern Blechnum spicant, each averaging about 10% in cover. This association is distinguished from similar associations by an abundance of Elliottia pyroliflora and a lack of wet-site indicators such as Caltha leptosepala, Oplopanax horridus, or Nephrophyllidium crista-galli.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In British Columbia, it appears to be only a part of a conceptually larger association: Mountain hemlock - Amabilis fir - Mountain-heather association, site series 02 in MHmm1 and MHmm2 (Green and Klinka 1994). Both those British Columbia units appear to have more Phyllodoce empetriformis and Vaccinium deliciosum than described by Henderson et al. (1992).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a needle-leaved evergreen conifer woodland, usually with relatively short trees (mean height of 17 m after 100 years). Tsuga mertensiana is the most abundant tree, averaging about 40% cover; Abies amabilis is always present in smaller amounts, and Callitropsis nootkatensis (= Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) is usually prominent also. Understory vegetation is dominated by a relatively dense layer of shrubs 0.8-2 m tall, mostly deciduous broad-leaved Vaccinium ovalifolium and evergreen broad-leaved Elliottia pyroliflora, and to a lesser degree Vaccinium membranaceum and Menziesia ferruginea. The dwarf-shrubs Phyllodoce empetriformis and Vaccinium deliciosum are sometimes present and occasionally prominent, mostly at the upper elevational limits of the type. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Rubus pedatus and the fern Blechnum spicant, each averaging about 10% in cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It occurs at elevations of 900-1400 m, primarily on north-facing slopes, shallow soils, and mid to upper slopes, where the snowpack is very deep.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the northwestern Cascade Range of Washington and the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia. Its range in British Columbia is unclear, but it probably covers less than 10,000 square miles. It is certainly a regional endemic.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688751
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.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.c Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - Alaska-cedar Wood Group | G849 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.c |
| Alliance | A3723 Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3723 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.c |
| Association | CEGL000503 Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - (Alaska-cedar) / Copperbush - Thinleaf Huckleberry Woodland | CEGL000503 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyrolaeflorus - Rubus pedatus (Henderson et al. 1992)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1984)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1982)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1983)
= Tsuga mertensiana-Abies amabilis-(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)/Elliottia pyroliflorus-Vaccinium membranaceum Woodland (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_298]
= Tsuga mertensiana-Abies amabilis-(Cupressus nootkatensis)/Elliottia pyroliflorus-Vaccinium membranaceum Woodland (Crawford et al. 2009)
> MH mm 1 /02 (Green and Klinka 1994)
> MH mm 1 /02 (Banner et al. 1993)
> MH mm 2 /02 (Green and Klinka 1994)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1984)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1982)
= Tsuga mertensiana / Cladothamnus pyroliflorus / Blechnum spicant Association (Henderson and Peter 1983)
= Tsuga mertensiana-Abies amabilis-(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)/Elliottia pyroliflorus-Vaccinium membranaceum Woodland (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_298]
= Tsuga mertensiana-Abies amabilis-(Cupressus nootkatensis)/Elliottia pyroliflorus-Vaccinium membranaceum Woodland (Crawford et al. 2009)
> MH mm 1 /02 (Green and Klinka 1994)
> MH mm 1 /02 (Banner et al. 1993)
> MH mm 2 /02 (Green and Klinka 1994)
- BCMFRB [British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch]. 2003a. Vegetation classification hierarchy: BECMaster May 2003. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.
- Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thomson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Ministry of Forests Research Program. Victoria, BC. Parts 1 and 2. Land Management Handbook Number 26.
- 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.
- Brooke, R. C., E. B. Peterson, and V. J. Krajina. 1970. The subalpine mountain hemlock zone. Volume 2, pages 148-439 in: V. J. Krajina, editor. Ecology of Western North America. University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
- Chappell, C. B. 2006b. Upland plant associations of the Puget Trough ecoregion, Washington. Natural Heritage Report 2006-01. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Olympia, WA. [http://www.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/communities/pdf/intro.pdf]
- Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
- Green, R. N., and K. Klinka. 1994. A field guide to site interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. ISSN 0229-1622 Land Management Handbook 28. 285 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., D. A. Peter, R. Lesher, and D. C. Shaw. 1992. Field guide to forested plant associations of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-028-91. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 196 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1982. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Snoqualmie and adjacent Skykomish River drainages, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 87 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1983. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Skykomish Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 67 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1984. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Darrington Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 69 pp.
- Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.