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CEGL000254 Abies concolor / Physocarpus malvaceus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Mallow Ninebark Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is limited in its range from central to northern Utah. It is found from 1720-2290 m (5640-7500 feet) in elevation on moderately steep northern slopes. The soils of this association are derived primarily from shaly quartzite. Soils are gravelly with loam to silt loam surface texture. Litter depth averages 6.8 cm. Surface rock exposed is low at 4%. Bare soil exposed averages 1%. Abies concolor is the indicated climax. Pseudotsuga menziesii is a major seral associate, and stands are fairly closed. Occasionally, Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gambelii are represented as seral associates, but they are persistent in the largest canopy openings only. The shrub stratum is dominated by typically dense Physocarpus malvaceus. Other species which commonly occur are Amelanchier alnifolia, Paxistima myrsinites, and Prunus virginiana. The herbaceous layer varies; Carex geyeri is locally abundant.
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 diverse montane forest is characterized by a moderately dense to closed tree canopy. Abies concolor is the indicated climax species, and Pseudotsuga menziesii is a major seral associate. Occasionally, Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gambelii (<5% cover) are represented as seral associates, but they are persistent in the largest canopy openings only. The shrub stratum is dominated by typically dense Physocarpus malvaceus. Other species which commonly occur include Acer grandidentatum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Paxistima myrsinites, Prunus virginiana, Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea (= Sambucus caerulea), and Symphoricarpos oreophilus with low cover. However, Mahonia repens may be abundant with up to 50% cover. Abies concolor and Juniperus scopulorum seedlings may also be abundant. The herbaceous layer varies. Mauk and Henderson (1984) report that Carex geyeri is locally abundant. Other species include Maianthemum racemosum (= Smilacina racemosa), Elymus sp., and Clematis hirsutissima.
Dynamics: Abies concolor becomes increasingly more resistant to fire with age. Fires that are carried by undergrowth easily destroy young Abies concolor whose low branches and thin bark increase its susceptibility. Pseudotsuga menziesii is favored in the early-seral stages because of its high resistance to fire.
Environmental Description: This forest is found from 1720-2290 m (5640-7500 feet) in elevation on moderately steep northern slopes. The soils are derived primarily from shaley quartzite and are rapidly drained and gravelly with loam to silt loam surface texture. Litter depth averages 6.8 cm. Cover of exposed surface rock and bare soil is low (4% and 1%, respectively). Although no long-term climatological data exist for this association, Mauk and Henderson (1984) report data for the Abies concolor series from a station near the study site as follows: Mean monthly temperature for July is 73°F (23°C), and mean monthly temperature for January is 29°F (-2°C). Mean annual precipitation is 56 cm (22.1 inches).
Geographic Range: This association is limited in its range from central to northern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689457
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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.d White Fir - Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Mesic Southern Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G225 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A3369 White Fir Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3369 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000254 White Fir / Mallow Ninebark Forest | CEGL000254 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor / Physocarpus malvaceus Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984) [found in the southern Wasatch Range and Stansbury Mountains of Utah.]
? Abies concolor / Physocarpus malvaceus Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [found in the Pahvant Mountains of Utah.]
? Abies concolor / Physocarpus malvaceus Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [found in the Pahvant Mountains of Utah.]
- 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.
- Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Wight, K. Schulz, and A. Evenden. 2009b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/210. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 208 pp.
- Mauk, R. L., and J. A. Henderson. 1984. Coniferous forest habitat types of northern Utah. General Technical Report INT-170. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 89 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., and R. L. Mauk. 1985. Coniferous forest habitat types of central and southern Utah. General Technical Report INT-187. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 89 pp.