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CEGL000412 Picea (x albertiana, engelmannii) / Lysichiton americanus Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Western White Spruce, Engelmann Spruce) / Yellow Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in low-elevation valleys, from 760 to 915 m (2500-3000 feet), west of the Continental Divide in the northern Rockies. This association is found in valley bottoms, on level sites with high water tables. Sites are typically adjacent to low-gradient, meandering streams or ponds. Soils are wet throughout the year, with standing water in soil depressions; the water table surface is usually found less than 50 cm below the ground surface. Organic matter content is high, and gleying is occasionally present. Exposed rocks are not present. This is a moderately open, forested wetland association, dominated by Picea engelmannii or Picea glauca, or a hybrid of the two. Other trees present may include the conifers Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta, or Pseudotsuga menziesii, but only Picea spp. are successful in dominating these wet sites. Small depressions with standing water are interspersed among the trees. The shrub layer is abundant and dominated by a mix of Alnus incana, Betula occidentalis, and Cornus sericea. The low, creeping shrub Cornus canadensis is common as well. Lysichiton americanus is important in the lush herbaceous layer, growing on the edge of water and on moist microsites throughout the understory. Other common herbaceous species include Galium triflorum, Athyrium filix-femina, and Cinna latifolia.
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: This a moderately open, forested wetland association, dominated by the evergreen needle-leaved trees Picea engelmannii or Picea glauca, or a hybrid of the two. Other trees present may include the conifers Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta or Pseudotsuga menziesii, but only Picea spp. are successful in dominating these wet sites. Small depressions with standing water are interspersed among the trees. The shrub layer is abundant and dominated by a mix of tall, broad-leaved deciduous species. These include Alnus incana, Betula occidentalis, and Cornus sericea. The low, creeping shrub Cornus canadensis is common as well. The perennial forb Lysichiton americanus is important in the lush herbaceous layer, growing on the edge of water and on moist microsites throughout the understory. Other common herbaceous species include the forb Galium triflorum, the fern Athyrium filix-femina, and the rhizomatous, perennial grass Cinna latifolia. Heavily grazed stands can be dominated in the herbaceous layer by the introduced grass Poa pratensis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in low-elevation valleys, from 760 to 915 m (2500-3000 feet), within a mountainous region west of the Continental Divide in the northern Rockies. In this region the ranges are oriented northwesterly to southeasterly, and alternate with broad, nearly level valleys. The valley floors often consist of sediments deposited in lakes during late Tertiary and early Quaternary periods. The climate is modified by the influence of Pacific maritime air masses which results in cooler summers, milder winters (but still cold), greater cloudiness and precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year. Heavy snows occur during the winters. This association is found in valley bottoms, on level sites with high water tables. Sites are typically adjacent to low-gradient, meandering streams or ponds. Soils are wet throughout the year, with standing water in soil depressions; the water table surface is usually found less than 50 cm below the ground surface. Organic matter content is high, and gleying is occasionally present. Exposed rocks are not present.
Geographic Range: This association is confined to the Flathead Valley Section (M333B) of the Northern Rocky Mountains Province of Bailey (1995). Its presence corresponds roughly with the Inland Maritime climatic regime, but the driving variable of greatest importance is permanent soil saturation (spring flooding common).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689108
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b Western Red-cedar - Engelmann Spruce / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G505 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3775 Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance | A3775 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000412 (Western White Spruce, Engelmann Spruce) / Yellow Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest | CEGL000412 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea / Lysichiton americanus Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
- Bailey, R. G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United States. Second edition revised and expanded (first edition 1980). Miscellaneous Publication No. 1391 (revised). USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 108 pp. with separate map at 1;7,500,000.
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- Hansen, P., K. Boggs, and R. Pfister. 1991. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in Montana. Unpublished draft version prepared for Montana Riparian Association, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula. 478 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.