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CEGL000018 Abies lowiana - Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos spp. Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra White Fir - Ponderosa Pine / Snowberry species Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest is found in southern Oregon''s Klamath-Siskiyou region and eastern Cascades and may extend into adjacent California. Elevations are between 1300-2165 m (4260-7100 feet), on all aspects, and a variety of slopes (5-70%). Parent material is typically igneous but also occasionally serpentine overlain by gravelly or sandy mantles. The overstory is dominated by Abies lowiana, Pinus ponderosa, and sometimes Pseudotsuga menziesii. The shrub layer is typified by Symphoricarpos mollis Holodiscus discolor, and Rosa gymnocarpa. Stands in the eastern Cascades have only snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis and Symphoricarpos albus). Herbs are lacking in the Klamath-Siskiyou, but in the Cascades common species include Arnica sp., Poa wheeleri, and Carex inops ssp. heliophila. Fires maintain Pinus ponderosa while limiting Abies lowiana. This community is warmer and drier than most Abies lowiana associations.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Because all three nominal taxa are widespread geographically, this association is somewhat broadly defined. Also, the two sources used to define this type exhibit marked differences in herbaceous species. This association resembles Volland''s (1976) "mixed conifer / snowberry / forb" type but resides at lower elevations and has different forbs.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The overstory is dominated by Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) (5-50% cover), Pinus ponderosa (5-50% cover), and sometimes Pseudotsuga menziesii (27% cover). The shrub layer is typified by Symphoricarpos mollis (11% cover), Holodiscus discolor (6% cover), and Rosa gymnocarpa (3% cover). Stands in the eastern Cascades have only snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis and Symphoricarpos albus) covering 0-30%. Herbs are lacking in the Klamath-Siskiyou, but in the Cascades common species include Arnica sp. (0-30% cover), Poa wheeleri (0-20% cover), and Carex inops ssp. heliophila (0-10% cover). Fires maintain Pinus ponderosa while limiting Abies lowiana. This community is warmer and drier than most Abies lowiana associations.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This forest is found in southern Oregon''s Klamath-Siskiyou region and eastern Cascades and may extend into adjacent California. Elevations are between 1300-2165 m (4260-7100 feet), on all aspects, and a variety of slopes (5-70%). Parent material is typically igneous but also occasionally serpentine overlain by gravelly or sandy mantles.

Geographic Range: This community is found in two separate regions of Oregon, the Klamath-Siskiyou and eastern Cascades.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA?, OR




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Abies concolor - Pinus ponderosa / Symphoricarpos spp. Forest (Hopkins 1979a)
? Mixed Conifer / Snowberry / Forb (Volland 1976)

Concept Author(s): M.P. Murray

Author of Description: M.P. Murray

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97

  • Atzet, T., and D. L. Wheeler. 1984. Preliminary plant associations of the Siskiyou Mountains Province, Siskiyou National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
  • 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.
  • Hopkins, W. E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. Technical Report R6-ECOL-79-004. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Volland, L. A. 1976. Plant communities of the central Oregon pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R-6 Area Guide 4-2. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 113 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.