Print Report

CEGL000321 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Moss Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Moss Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This dry, cold spruce forest occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from northern Arizona and New Mexico to southern Wyoming. It occurs on summits, ridges, and upper slopes from 2650-3500 m (8600-11,500 feet) in elevation. Soils are very well-drained and cryic with lithic or skeletal profiles, often shallow sandy loams. The tree canopy is codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii. Seral species include Pinus flexilis, Pinus contorta, Pinus aristata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and occasionally Populus tremuloides. The shrub and herbaceous layers are sparse. Sporadic shrubs include Juniperus communis, Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium scoparium, Vaccinium myrtillus, Paxistima myrsinites, or Lonicera utahensis, all of which have less than 10% total cover. Herbs with low cover include Arnica cordifolia, Orthilia secunda, Pyrola chlorantha, Pyrola asarifolia, Erigeron eximius, Oreochrysum parryi, Carex rossii, or Poa nemoralis. Nonvascular plants are dominant in this association. This association is characterized by the codominance of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the tree canopy over a dominant but sometimes patchy moss layer and sparse shrubs and herbs.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa codominate the overstory. The prominent feature is the sparse undergrowth and the moss cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Stuever and Hayden (1997a) recognized three phases: (1) Abies lasiocarpa phase: High-elevation, cold, dry slopes of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado; containing varying percentages of Picea engelmannii. (2) Picea engelmannii phase: High-elevation, cold, dry slopes of Arizona south of the Mogollon Rim and southwestern New Mexico. (3) Pseudotsuga menziesii phase: Elevations lower than the other phases; also warmer, drier.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The tree canopy of this spruce-fir forest is codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii. Seral species include Pinus flexilis, Pinus contorta, Pinus aristata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and occasionally Populus tremuloides. The shrub and herbaceous layers are sparse. Sporadic shrubs include Juniperus communis, Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium scoparium, Vaccinium myrtillus, Paxistima myrsinites, or Lonicera utahensis, all of which have less than 10% total cover. Herbs with low cover include Arnica cordifolia, Orthilia secunda, Pyrola chlorantha, Pyrola asarifolia, Erigeron eximius, Oreochrysum parryi (= Solidago parryi), Carex rossii, or Poa nemoralis. Nonvascular plants are dominant in this association. This association is characterized by the codominance of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the tree canopy over a dominant but sometimes patchy moss layer and sparse shrubs and herbs. Bryophyte species occurring in this association need to be identified.

Dynamics:  This association tends to grade into Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium forests on the lower end of the elevation spectrum.
Environmental Description:  This dry, cold spruce forest occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains on summits, ridges, and upper slopes from 2650-3500 m (8600-11,500 feet) in elevation. Soils are very well-drained and cryic with lithic or skeletal profiles, often shallow sandy loams.
Geographic Range: This dry, cold spruce forest occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from northern Arizona and New Mexico to southern Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.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.b Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Lodgepole Pine Dry-Mesic Forest & Woodland Group G219 1.B.2.Nb.5.b
Alliance A3641 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Forest Alliance A3641 1.B.2.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL000321 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Moss Forest CEGL000321 1.B.2.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies bifolia / Moss (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Moss (Jones and Ogle 2000)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Moss Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Moss Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Moss Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Moss Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Moss Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1986)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Moss Habitat Type (Larson and Moir 1987)
Concept Author(s): M.C. Stuever and J.S. Hayden (1997a)

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-15-19
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  • WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
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