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CEGL008683 Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana - Pinus lambertiana / Sparse Understory Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Red Fir - Sierra White Fir - Sugar Pine / Sparse Understory Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest is widespread at lower elevations on the west side of the upper montane of the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California. Elevations generally lie between 1770 and 2410 m (5800-7900 feet) in elevation, but typically below 2288 m (7500 feet). Aspects are variable. Stands are usually on middle and lower slopes. Sites have significantly less surface gravel and a deeper litter layer than most other types. Soils are usually formed in place on granitic bedrock, but some form on colluvium or glacial till. In general, soils are deep and typically well-drained sandy loams or loams, rarely sands. The average water-holding capacity is generally moderate. Stands in this association are dense multi-layered forests with a moderate cover of understory shrubs and herbs. A mix of several species with Abies magnifica distinguishes the overstory, but Abies lowiana and Abies magnifica generally dominate. Pinus lambertiana is characteristically present, but it occurs as widely scattered predominants. Pinus jeffreyi and Calocedrus decurrens are occasional members of these stands. Shrubs typically occur in patches or as individuals. Chrysolepis sempervirens is the most common shrub; other shrubs may include Symphoricarpos acutus or Ribes roezlii. Herb cover averages 74%, but no single species is frequent or provides significant cover. Pyrola picta, Kelloggia galioides, Hieracium albiflorum, and Pteridium aquilinum are the most commonly encountered species. These stands are often adjacent to and interspersed with ~Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana / Sparse Understory Forest (CEGL008681)$$ and ~Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana - Pinus jeffreyi Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest (CEGL008682)$$ on mesic sites.
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 in this association are dense multi-layered forests with a moderate cover of understory shrubs and herbs. Tree cover averages 76%. These stands are often adjacent to and interspersed with ~Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana / Sparse Understory Forest (CEGL008681)$$ and ~Abies magnifica - Abies lowiana - Pinus jeffreyi Sierran Montane Chaparral Forest (CEGL008682)$$ on mesic sites. A mix of several species with Abies magnifica distinguishes the overstory, but Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) and Abies magnifica generally dominate, with 33% and 32% average cover, respectively. Pinus lambertiana is characteristically present, with an average 21% cover, but it occurs as widely scattered predominants. Pinus jeffreyi and Calocedrus decurrens are occasional members of these stands. Shrub cover ranges from 5-25%, typically occurring in patches or as individual shrubs. Chrysolepis sempervirens is the most common shrub, with a 67% frequency and 10% cover. Other shrubs may include Symphoricarpos acutus or Ribes roezlii. Herb cover averages 74%, but no single species is frequent or provides significant cover. Pyrola picta, Kelloggia galioides, Hieracium albiflorum, and Pteridium aquilinum are the most commonly encountered species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations generally lie between 1770 and 2410 m (5800-7900 feet) in elevation, but typically below 2288 m (7500 feet). Aspects are variable. Stands are usually on middle and lower slopes. Sites have significantly less surface gravel and a deeper litter layer than most other types. Soils are usually formed in place on granitic bedrock, but some form on colluvium or glacial till. In general, soils are deep and typically sandy loams or loams, rarely sands. The average water-holding capacity is generally moderate. Soils are typically well-drained (Potter 1998).
Geographic Range: This forest is widespread at lower elevations on the west side of the upper montane of the central and southern Sierra Nevada, California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688829
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup | M023 | 1.B.2.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group | G344 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Alliance | A3678 Sierra White Fir - California Red Fir - Shasta Red Fir Forest Alliance | A3678 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL008683 California Red Fir - Sierra White Fir - Sugar Pine / Sparse Understory Forest | CEGL008683 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor-Pinus lambertiana- Abies magnifica Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012) [(Potter 1998)]
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus lambertiana / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor / Pinus lambertiana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.520.10]
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor - Pinus lambertiana / Sparse Understory Forest (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Abies magnifica - Abies concolor / Pinus lambertiana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.520.10]
- 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.
- 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.