Print Report
CEGL000373 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Polemonium pulcherrimum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Beautiful Jacob''s-ladder Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This upper subalpine forest association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains. It typically occurs from 3170-3450 m (10,400-11,320 feet) elevation, near upper treeline, and may include lower-statured woodlands extending into krummholz vegetation. Stands are found on gentle cool, northwest- to east-facing mid and lower slopes that are characterized as relatively moist. Soils are derived primarily from granitic or metamorphic parent materials and are shallow, moderately well-drained to well-drained and coarse-textured. Stands may contain moderate cover of large and small surface rock and relatively high cover of litter and duff cover and woody debris. Vegetation is characterized by evergreen needle-leaved trees and is typically dominated by Picea engelmannii and codominated by Abies lasiocarpa, both in the canopy and as seedlings and saplings in the understory. Pinus flexilis and Pinus aristata are minor components in the canopy and very infrequent in the understory. Typically there is not a shrub layer, but scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Ribes inerme, Ribes laxiflorum, and Vaccinium myrtillus are often present (<5% cover). The herbaceous layer dominates the understory and is dominated by the perennial forb Polemonium pulcherrimum. Other abundant subalpine and alpine forbs include Arnica spp., Aquilegia coerulea, Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Lupinus argenteus, Mertensia spp., Mitella pentandra, Orthilia secunda, Oxypolis fendleri, Packera spp., Pyrola spp., and Stellaria spp. Graminoid cover is generally low but may include Carex rossii, Luzula parviflora, or Trisetum spicatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii is the dominant tree species; Picea regeneration should be evident. No Pseudotsuga menziesii present. The undergrowth is characterized by Vaccinium myrtillus. Other cold indicator species are Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum and Senecio amplectens.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association was formerly named Picea engelmannii / Polemonium pulcherrimum Forest. The concept of this association was broadened to include stands codominated by Abies lasiocarpa based on sampled stands at Rocky Mountain National Park and other classification work (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a, Komarkova et al. 1988b). This required the association to be renamed. How this association relates to Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus - Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum Plant Association/Habitat Type (Moir and Ludwig 1979, DeVelice et al. 1986, Stuever and Hayden 1997a) still needs to be clarified. Komarkova et al. (1988b) suggest it may be a phase of the Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus or Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium myrtillus habitat types or closely related to a Picea engelmannii / Ribes spp. habitat type.
Stuever and Hayden (1997a) recognized two phases: Picea engelmannii phase, in which Picea engelmannii is climax; and Abies lasiocarpa phase, with Abies lasiocarpa climax or co-climax. Picea engelmannii phase is usually higher than 3415 m (11,200 feet) elevation. Abies lasiocarpa phase is generally lower than 3505 m (11,500 feet).
Stuever and Hayden (1997a) recognized two phases: Picea engelmannii phase, in which Picea engelmannii is climax; and Abies lasiocarpa phase, with Abies lasiocarpa climax or co-climax. Picea engelmannii phase is usually higher than 3415 m (11,200 feet) elevation. Abies lasiocarpa phase is generally lower than 3505 m (11,500 feet).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This conifer forest association is typically dominated by Picea engelmannii and codominated by Abies lasiocarpa, both in the canopy and as seedlings and saplings in the understory. Pinus flexilis and Pinus aristata are minor components in the canopy and very infrequent in the understory. Typically there is not a shrub layer, but scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Ribes inerme, Ribes laxiflorum (= Ribes coloradense), and Vaccinium myrtillus are often present (<5% cover). The herbaceous layer dominates the understory and is dominated by the perennial forb Polemonium pulcherrimum. Other abundant subalpine and alpine forbs include Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Aquilegia coerulea, Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Lupinus argenteus, Mertensia ciliata, Mertensia lanceolata, Mitella pentandra, Orthilia secunda, Oxypolis fendleri, Senecio amplectens, Packera sanguisorboides, Pyrola spp., and Stellaria spp. Graminoid cover is generally low but may include Carex rossii, Luzula parviflora, or Trisetum spicatum.
Dynamics: Many stands have not been significantly disturbed by fire for centuries. Recovery from fire can also span centuries.
Environmental Description: This upper subalpine forest association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains. It typically occurs from 3170-3450 m (10,400-11,320 feet) elevation, near upper treeline, and may include lower statured woodlands extending into krummholz vegetation. Stands are found on gentle cool, northwest- to east-facing mid and lower slopes that are characterized as relatively moist. Soils are derived primarily from granitic or metamorphic parent materials and are shallow, moderately well-drained to well-drained loam, sandy loam, or loamy sand. Stands may contain 5-40% large and small surface rock and relatively high cover of litter and duff cover (40-75%) of the ground surface; woody debris can cover up to 35%. When present, moss can cover 5% of the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This upper subalpine forest association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains from northern New Mexico to north-central Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689837
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Mountain Hemlock Moist Forest & Woodland Group | G218 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Alliance | A3615 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A3615 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL000373 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Beautiful Jacob''s-ladder Forest | CEGL000373 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: CEGL005826 merged into CEGL000373.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa / Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986) [Described a low-elevation stand of this typically high-elevation type. Lupinus argenteus and Caltha leptosepala (= Psychrophila leptosepala) had relatively high cover.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Polemonium pulcherrimum Habitat Type, Picea engelmannii Phase (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a) [Two phases are described: Picea engelmannii phase and Abies lasiocarpa phase.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Polemonium Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus - Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus / Polemonium pulcherrimum Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [Includes stands with 5-95 % cover of Vaccinium myrtillus.]
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association, Polemonium pulcherrimum Phase (Johnston 1987)
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Polemonium delicatum Habitat Type (Moir and Ludwig 1979) [Abies lasiocarpa codominant to absent, Vasc. 10-95% cover, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Senecio amplectens, or Packera sanguisorboides (= Senecio sanguisorboides) may dominate herbaceous layer. Stands with low cover of Vaccinium scoparium and high cover of Polemonium pulcherrimum may be included in concept of this association.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Polemonium pulcherrimum Habitat Type, Picea engelmannii Phase (DeVelice and Ludwig 1983a) [Two phases are described: Picea engelmannii phase and Abies lasiocarpa phase.]
= Abies lasiocarpa / Polemonium Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus - Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. delicatum (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus / Polemonium pulcherrimum Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986) [Includes stands with 5-95 % cover of Vaccinium myrtillus.]
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium myrtillus Plant Association, Polemonium pulcherrimum Phase (Johnston 1987)
>< Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Polemonium delicatum Habitat Type (Moir and Ludwig 1979) [Abies lasiocarpa codominant to absent, Vasc. 10-95% cover, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Senecio amplectens, or Packera sanguisorboides (= Senecio sanguisorboides) may dominate herbaceous layer. Stands with low cover of Vaccinium scoparium and high cover of Polemonium pulcherrimum may be included in concept of this association.]
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