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CEGL000243 Abies concolor / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Kinnikinnick Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: No Data Available
Diagnostic Characteristics: Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii codominate the overstory, and Pinus ponderosa is a major seral associate. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi dominates the undergrowth, occasionally along with Paxistima myrsinites. It represents a dry, cool environment.
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: The overstory contains Abies concolor, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and occasional Pinus ponderosa of varying sizes and densities. Crown cover varies from continuous (closed) to broken (open). The undergrowth is characterized by the low shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi which, along with Paxistima myrsinites, can attain over 25% cover in open areas. Young and advanced regeneration of Abies concolor, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus strobiformis may be present.
Dynamics: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a seral, shade-intolerant species found in open forests. It grows best in high-light situations, thinning as shade increases. The development of its early-seral cover depends on site variables such as elevation and the amount of shading. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is deep-rooted on mineral soil, less so on organic material. It sprouts from latent buds on the horizontal stem and dormant buds on the stembase/rootcrown. Sprouting or suckering following fire may be possible with survival of any of the aforementioned parts. It is best suited to short fire cycles with low fuel buildup and low fire intensity.
Environmental Description: This type is widely distributed throughout northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, occurring most commonly on ridgetops and occasionally on all aspects of moderate to steep lower slopes within elevations ranging from 2410 to 2900 m (7900-9500 feet).
Geographic Range: This type is widely distributed throughout northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. It is also reported from Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689956
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3420 White Fir Dry Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3420 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000243 White Fir / Kinnikinnick Forest | CEGL000243 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies concolor / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Abies concolor / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
= Abies concolor-Pseudotsuga menziesii/Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Johnston 1987)
= Abies concolor / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
= Abies concolor-Pseudotsuga menziesii/Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Johnston 1987)
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- DeVelice, R. L., J. A. Ludwig, W. H. Moir, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1986. A classification of forest habitat types of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. General Technical Report RM-131. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 59 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.