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CEGL003000 Abies bracteata Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bristlecone Fir Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found in the Santa Lucia Mountains of central California, most commonly near the crest of the range at elevations from 250-1400 m. Annual precipitation increases with elevation and is approximately 80 cm, with a distinct summer dry season. This association occurs above the zone of summer fogs, and temperatures show more fluctuation annually than those at lower elevations. Occurrences are concentrated on steep, rough terrain that will not carry a severe fire. Sites include rocky slopes, ridges, and canyons or ravines; slope aspects are typically northerly or easterly. On steep slopes and ridges, parent materials are sandstones and shales, with overlying skeletal soils of various textures. These soils are well-drained and rocky. Abies bracteata is the sole dominant or codominant species in the canopy of these stands, and Quercus chrysolepis is important or codominant in most stands. Other conifers that may be present include Pinus coulteri, Pinus lambertiana, and Pinus ponderosa. Other broad-leaved evergreens may include Arbutus menziesii and Notholithocarpus densiflorus. Shrubs are infrequent, and the herbaceous layer is sparse. On the rocky ridge and slope sites, forbs typical of rocky outcrops are found, including Arabis breweri, Cheilanthes intertexta, Erigeron petrophilus, Eriogonum saxatile, and Keckiella corymbosa. The perennial fern Polystichum munitum occurs in the understory of the more mesic ravine stands. Regeneration of Abies bracteata is most abundant in the cooler ravine sites, where dense hardwood cover may limit its success, while seedlings are scattered on slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Talley (1974) collected plot data and 2 associations were identified from these data: the Abies bracteata / Galium clementis and the Abies bracteata / Polystichum munitum associations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation patterns are complex. The needle-leaved evergreen tree Abies bracteata is the sole dominant or codominant species in the canopy of these stands. The broad-leaved evergreen tree Quercus chrysolepis is important or codominant in most stands. Other conifers that may be present include Pinus coulteri, Pinus lambertiana, and Pinus ponderosa. Other broad-leaved evergreens may include Arbutus menziesii and Notholithocarpus densiflorus (= Lithocarpus densiflorus). The tree canopy is typically less than 50 m in height and in some stands may have a subcanopy, primarily composed of the hardwood species. Canopy cover may be continuous or intermittent. Shrubs are infrequent, and the herbaceous layer sparse. On the rocky ridge and slope sites, forbs typical of rocky outcrops are found, including Arabis breweri, Cheilanthes intertexta, Erigeron petrophilus, Eriogonum saxatile, and Keckiella corymbosa. The perennial fern Polystichum munitum occurs in the understory of the more mesic ravine stands. Regeneration of Abies bracteata is most abundant in the cooler ravine sites, where dense hardwood cover may limit its success, while seedlings are scattered on slopes.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found from 250-1400 m elevation in the Coast Range of central California, most commonly near the crest of the range. Annual precipitation increases with elevation and is approximately 80 cm, with a distinct summer dry season. This association occurs above the zone of summer fogs, and temperatures show more fluctuation annually than those at lower elevations. Stands are concentrated on steep, rough terrain that will not carry a severe fire. Sites include rocky slopes, ridges, and canyons or ravines; slope aspects are typically northerly or easterly. Stands in ravines are found on stream benches or terraces, usually with concave topography, and seasonally saturated soils. Soils in the ravines are skeletal to deep, with loamy textures. On steep slopes and ridges, parent materials are sandstones and shales, with overlying skeletal soils of various textures. These soils are well-drained and rocky.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to the montane zone of the Santa Lucia Mountains of Monterey and northern San Luis Obispo counties, California. The total range of distribution is roughly 90 km long by 20 km wide.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689193
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A0147 Bristlecone Fir Forest Alliance | A0147 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL003000 Bristlecone Fir Forest | CEGL003000 | 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 bracteata / Galium clementis association (Talley 1974)
? Abies bracteata / Polystichum munitum association (Talley 1974)
= Abies bracteata (Santa Lucia fir groves) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.300.00]
? Abies bracteata / Polystichum munitum association (Talley 1974)
= Abies bracteata (Santa Lucia fir groves) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [88.300.00]
- Cheatham, N. H., and J. R. Haller. 1975. An annotated list of California habitat types. Unpublished report. University of California, Natural Land and Water Reserves System.
- Griffin, J. R., and W. B. Critchfield. 1972. The distribution of forest trees in California. Research Paper PSW-82/1972. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA. 114 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., D. A. Thornburgh, and J. R. Griffin. 1988. Mixed evergreen forest. Pages 359-381 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Talley, S. N. 1974. The ecology of Santa Lucia fir (Abies bracteata), a narrow endemic of California. Unpublished dissertation, Duke University, Durham, NC. 209 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.