Print Report
CEGL000345 Abies lasiocarpa / Valeriana sitchensis - Luzula glabrata Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir / Sitka Valerian - Smooth Woodrush Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs only in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains of Washington at elevations of 1400-2000 m. It is most common in relatively dry climatic zones for western Washington, and especially in the rainshadow of major volcanoes. Sites have well-drained soils and southern aspects. This is a needle-leaved evergreen conifer forest or woodland of relatively short stature. Abies lasiocarpa is always dominant (mean cover 65%). Small amounts of Tsuga mertensiana or Abies amabilis may sometimes occur in the tree regeneration layer. The relatively lush herbaceous understory is dominated by the forb Valeriana sitchensis and typically also the graminoid Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii. The dwarf-shrub Vaccinium deliciosum is usually also present (mean cover 10%). Other frequent understory species that occur in low abundance are Arnica latifolia, Rubus lasiococcus, Veratrum viride, Viola orbiculata, Polygonum bistortoides, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Pedicularis racemosa, and Ligusticum grayi. This association is distinguished from similar associations by >3% cover of Valeriana sitchensis and the presence of Vaccinium deliciosum, along with little to no Abies amabilis, Tsuga heterophylla, Tsuga mertensiana, Rhododendron albiflorum (<10%), Vaccinium membranaceum (<5%), Vaccinium scoparium, or Phyllodoce empetriformis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is recorded from 11 plots in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, but species composition data from only 5 of those plots are presented (Henderson et al. 1992). Henderson (pers. comm.) indicates that the association also occurs in the northeastern Olympic Mountains and east of the Cascade Crest (Wenatchee National Forest). The Wenatchee guide, however, does not recognize the type. This association appears to be very similar to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland (CEGL000317)$$ but differs in the following compositional features: (1) presence of Vaccinium deliciosum (4 of 5 plots); (2) consistent very high cover of Valeriana sitchensis, and (3) absence of Vaccinium scoparium and Picea engelmannii. Abies lasiocarpa / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Forest has Valeriana sitchensis present in more than half of its plots on the Wenatchee National Forest with a mean cover of 4%. An Abies lasiocarpa / Valeriana sitchensis association described from the Yakima Indian Nation is dominated by Engelmann spruce and has very little Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This association occurs only in a portion of the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains of Washington. From Glacier Peak, Snohomish County, south to the Goats Rock, Lewis County, and in the northeastern Olympics.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689236
Confidence Level: High
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.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 | A3726 Pacific Silver Fir - Mountain Hemlock - Subalpine Fir Cascadian Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3726 | 1.B.2.Nd.4.c |
| Association | CEGL000345 Subalpine Fir / Sitka Valerian - Smooth Woodrush Forest | CEGL000345 | 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: = Abies lasiocarpa / Rubus lasiococcus (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [ABLA2/RULA ASSOCIATION CES423]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Rubus lasiococcus Association (Kovalchik 2001)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Rubus lasiococcus Association (John et al. 1988)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis-Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_033]
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Association (Henderson et al. 1992)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Rubus lasiococcus Association (Kovalchik 2001)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Rubus lasiococcus Association (John et al. 1988)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis-Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_033]
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Association (Henderson et al. 1992)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Abies lasiocarpa/Valeriana sitchensis Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
- 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.
- 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.
- Henderson, J. A. 1981. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the White River District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 40 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., B. G. Smith, and R. L. Mauk. 1979. Plant communities of the Hoh and Dosewallips drainages, Olympic National Park, Washington. Unpublished progress report. Department of Forestry and Outdoor Recreation, Utah State University, Logan.
- 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.
- John, T., D. Tart, and R. Clausnitzer. 1988. Forest associations of the Yakama Indian Reservation. Draft. Yakama Indian Nation. Toppenish, WA. 133 pp.
- Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix. [http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 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.