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CEGL000265 Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir - Douglas-fir / Whortleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This evergreen forest association ranges from southern Colorado into northern New Mexico. It occurs on steep, cold, northern slopes and draws at elevations below the limit of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii dominance, from 2591-2866 m (8500-9400 feet). It is found in cryic soils at the warmest extreme of the cryic soil-temperature regime. Overstories are highly mixed. Stands are composed of Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii as the major late-successional species, and Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, and Picea pungens as minor late-successional species. Populus tremuloides is the major seral species, while Pinus flexilis and Pinus ponderosa occur frequently as minor seral species. Vaccinium myrtillus is conspicuous in the shrub layer and codominates with Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rubus parviflorus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Erigeron eximius, Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca, and Lathyrus spp. are commonly present in the herb layer. Also present, although less frequently, are Artemisia franserioides, Bromus ciliatus, and Oryzopsis asperifolia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Complex overstory where Abies concolor may be present with five to six other tree species. The shrub component is luxuriant (>50% cover) having several shrub species codominating with the usually conspicuous Vaccinium myrtillus layer. Picea pungens is absent, accidental, or very minor in the stand.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is closely related to the Pseudotsuga menziesii / Paxistima myrsinites association described in the Central Rockies by Hoffman and Alexander (1980) and is weakly related to the Abies grandis / Vaccinium globulare and Abies grandis / Vaccinium globulare associations of Pfister et al. (1977) and Steele et al. (1981) found in the Northern Rockies.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Overstories are highly mixed. Stands are composed of Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii as the major late-successional species, and Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, and Picea pungens as minor late-successional species. Populus tremuloides is the major seral species, while Pinus flexilis and Pinus ponderosa occur frequently as minor seral species. Vaccinium myrtillus is conspicuous in the shrub layer and codominates with Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rubus parviflorus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Erigeron eximius, Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca (= Fragaria ovalis), and Lathyrus spp. are commonly present in the herb layer. Also present, although less frequently, are Artemisia franserioides, Bromus ciliatus, and Oryzopsis asperifolia.
Dynamics: The dominance of Abies concolor and occurrence of Picea increase in later seral stands due to their high shade tolerance and susceptibility to fire. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus flexilis are favored in the early-seral stages because of their high resistance to fire and low shade tolerance. The presence of Populus tremuloides and Pinus ponderosa is greatly increased with the occurrence of fire. Fire is presumed to have been a major factor in development of stands in this plant association. Fires that are of light to moderate intensity, erratic and infrequent, tend to result in a diversity of stand structures. Vaccinium is rhizomatous, having extensive, branched rhizomes that are responsible for vegetative regeneration following fire. It is well-adapted to a regime of frequent fire and also thrives under longer fire intervals.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on steep, cold, northern slopes and draws at elevations below the limit of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii dominance, from 2591-2866 m (8500-9400 feet). It is found in cryic soils at the warmest extreme of the cryic soil-temperature regime. This association is found on the coldest sites in the Abies concolor series.
Geographic Range: This association ranges from southern Colorado into northern New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689309
Confidence Level: Low
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3420 White Fir Dry Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3420 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000265 White Fir - Douglas-fir / Whortleberry Forest | CEGL000265 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association (Johnston 1984) [found in the San Juan and San Isabel national forests of Colorado from 2590-2745 m (8500-9000 feet).]
= Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
? Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [found in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, and Jemez Mountains of New Mexico at 8500-9200 feet.]
= Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado from 8700-9400 feet.]
= Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
? Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [found in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, and Jemez Mountains of New Mexico at 8500-9200 feet.]
= Abies concolor / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987) [found in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado from 8700-9400 feet.]
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