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CEGL002678 Picea engelmannii / Calamagrostis canadensis Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Bluejoint Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This wet spruce forest association occurs on cool, moist sites at low to high elevations in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Wyoming, southeastern Idaho and Colorado. The elevation of this community ranges from 1891 to 2326 m (6200-7625 feet) in the northern Rocky Mountains and 2750 to 3050 m (9020-10,006 feet) in the southern Rocky Mountains. It is generally restricted to flat to gently sloping sites with poor drainage, such as fen and lake margins, toeslopes, and low stream and river terraces. This community usually is saturated for a good portion of the year, and stands have a high water table year round. The ground surface in these stands is characterized by a large amount of microtopography stemming from wind-thrown trees. The overstory is dominated by Picea engelmannii or Picea x albertiana. Abies lasiocarpa may also be present, but with only trace cover; sites occupied by this community are generally too wet for Abies lasiocarpa. Not infrequently Pinus contorta is a long-persisting seral component. Shrub canopy coverage is low, although the diversity of shrub species present is fairly high. Shrub species present are often limited to hummocks and include Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Lonicera involucrata, Vaccinium scoparium, and Ribes lacustre. Calamagrostis canadensis and Calamagrostis stricta are diagnostic species when well-represented; usually under these shaded forest conditions Calamagrostis canadensis dominates the ground layer, often forming what appears to be a pure grass sward. Additional herbs can include Carex aquatilis, Carex disperma, Carex utriculata, and Calamagrostis rubescens, plus Symphyotrichum spathulatum, Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Conioselinum scopulorum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hornemannii, Equisetum arvense, Erigeron peregrinus, Fragaria virginiana, Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Luzula parviflora, Mertensia ciliata, Pyrola asarifolia, Rhodiola rhodantha, Senecio triangularis, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Viola macloskeyi. Moss cover is typically high.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Former Picea (engelmannii x glauca, engelmannii) / Calamagrostis canadensis Forest (CEGL000404) in Montana has been merged with former Picea engelmannii / Calamagrostis canadensis Forest (CEGL000356) into a single entity which can include pure Picea engelmannii and Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) hybrids, or both. This type was described in Montana as the Picea spp. / Calamagrostis canadensis community type by Hansen et al. (1995). The authors explain that the frequent absence of cones and similar morphology and ecological amplitudes caused them to lump stands dominated by Picea engelmannii and Picea glauca (hybrids) into a single type. Youngblood et al. (1985a) also describe a Picea / Calamagrostis canadensis community type; these authors explain that the similar ecological amplitudes led them to lump Picea engelmannii and Picea pungens into a single type. A few Utah stands (Padgett et al. 1989), classified as Conifer / Calamagrostis canadensis, have a Picea engelmannii-dominated overstory. The presence of Abies lasiocarpa in this type and its relationship to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Calamagrostis canadensis Swamp Forest (CEGL000300)$$ needs to be clarified.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory of this spruce wetland forest is dominated by Picea engelmannii or Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) hybrids. Abies lasiocarpa may also be present, but with only trace cover; sites occupied by this community are generally too wet for Abies lasiocarpa. Not infrequently Pinus contorta is a long-persisting seral component. Shrub canopy coverage is low, although the diversity of shrub species present is fairly high. Shrub species present are often limited to hummocks and include Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Potentilla fruticosa), Lonicera involucrata, Vaccinium scoparium, and Ribes lacustre. Calamagrostis canadensis and Calamagrostis stricta are diagnostic species when well-represented; usually under these shaded forest conditions Calamagrostis canadensis dominates the ground layer, often forming what appears to be a pure grass sward. Additional herbs can include Carex aquatilis, Carex disperma, Carex utriculata, and Calamagrostis rubescens, plus Symphyotrichum spathulatum (= Aster occidentalis), Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Conioselinum scopulorum, Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium), Epilobium hornemannii, Equisetum arvense, Erigeron peregrinus, Fragaria virginiana, Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Luzula parviflora, Mertensia ciliata, Pyrola asarifolia, Rhodiola rhodantha, Senecio triangularis, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Viola macloskeyi. Moss is often present beneath the herbaceous layer with 5-20% cover.
Dynamics: Wind-throw is common at these sites resulting in diverse microtopography. The sites are generally too wet for Abies lasiocarpa.
Environmental Description: This spruce forest association occurs on cool, moist sites at low to high elevations in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Wyoming, southeastern Idaho and Colorado. The elevation of this community ranges from 1890 to 2325 m (6200-7625 feet) in the northern Rocky Mountains and 2750 to 3050 m (9020-10,006 feet) in the southern Rocky Mountains. It is generally restricted to flat to gently sloping sites with poor drainage, such as fen and lake margins, toeslopes, and low stream and river terraces. This community usually is saturated for a good portion of the year, and stands have a high water table year round. The ground surface in these stands is characterized by a large amount of microtopography stemming from wind-thrown trees.
Geographic Range: This forest association occurs on cool, moist sites at low to high elevations in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and southeastern Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, MT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689343
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group | G506 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A3757 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance | A3757 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002678 Engelmann Spruce / Bluejoint Swamp Forest | CEGL002678 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: Result of merging P. (engel x glauca, engel)/CALCAN type, & PIEN/CALCAN type; and concept expanded to include stands with hybrids of P. engelmannii & P. glauca.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Picea / Calamagrostis canadensis Community Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
< Picea spp. / Calamagrostis canadensis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [in Montana.]
< Conifer / Calamagrostis canadensis Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989) [a few Utah stands have a Picea engelmannii-dominated overstory.]
< Picea spp. / Calamagrostis canadensis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [in Montana.]
< Conifer / Calamagrostis canadensis Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989) [a few Utah stands have a Picea engelmannii-dominated overstory.]
- Boggs, K., P. Hansen, R. Pfister, and J. Joy. 1990. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in northwestern Montana. Draft version I. Report prepared for the Montana Riparian Association and Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula. 216 pp.
- 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.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Jankovsky-Jones, M. 1997a. Conservation strategy for southeastern Idaho wetlands. Unpublished report on file at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise, ID. 39 pp. plus appendices.
- Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., W. G. Padgett, and A. H. Winward. 1985a. Riparian community type classification of eastern Idaho-western Wyoming. R4-Ecol-85-01. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 78 pp.
- Zuck, R. H. 1974. An ecological versus managerial classification of forest communities. Unpublished thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 110 pp.