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CEGL000391 Picea pungens / Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blue Spruce / Virginia Strawberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mid- to upper-elevation tall mixed-conifer forest occurs in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico on sites with moderate to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Sites tend to be moist-mesic canyon bottoms or toeslopes shifting to backslopes at higher elevations (but slopes are generally low (<10%)). Elevations range between 2487 and 2740 m (8159-9000 feet). Soils are primarily loamy Mollisols. Typically, the ground surface is dominated by thick litter and dense herbaceous cover. The overstory tree canopy of this tall mixed conifer association can range from open to closed (25-80% cover) and is dominated by Picea pungens. Abies concolor, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii may be common to well-represented as seedlings, saplings, or mature individuals. Shrubs are generally scarce but may include a variety of different species. A rich and productive herbaceous layer is characteristic with total cover ranging from 10 to 60%. Numerous forb and grass species may be present.
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: The overstory tree canopy of this tall mixed conifer association can range from open to closed (25-80% cover) and is dominated by Picea pungens. Abies concolor, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii may be common to well-represented as seedlings, saplings, or mature individuals. Shrubs are generally scarce but may include a variety of different species. A rich and productive herbaceous layer is characteristic with total cover ranging from 10 to 60%. Numerous forb and grass species may be present. Among forbs, Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca (or Fragaria vesca) and Erigeron eximius are at least well-represented and diagnostic. Other common mesic forbs may include Geranium caespitosum, Geranium richardsonii, Iris missouriensis, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Thalictrum fendleri, and Viola canadensis. Graminoids can also be well-represented and include Carex sp. (Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Carex rossii, and Carex siccata), along with Koeleria macrantha, Bromus anomalus, and Bromus ciliatus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mid- to upper-elevation tall mixed-conifer forest association occurs in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico on sites with moderate to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Sites tend to be moist-mesic canyon bottoms or toeslopes shifting to backslopes at higher elevations (but slopes are generally low (<10%)). Elevations range between 2487 and 2740 m (8159-9000 feet). Soils are primarily loamy Mollisols (Hibner 2009). Typically, the ground surface is dominated by thick litter and dense herbaceous cover.
Geographic Range: This mid- to upper-elevation tall mixed-conifer forest occurs in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.690077
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | A0165 Blue Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest Alliance | A0165 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000391 Blue Spruce / Virginia Strawberry Forest | CEGL000391 | 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: = Picea pungens / Fragaria ovalis Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1984a)
- Alexander, B. G., Jr., F. Ronco, Jr., E. L. Fitzhugh, and J. A. Ludwig. 1984a. A classification of forest habitat types of the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. General Technical Report RM-104. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 29 pp.
- 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.
- Hibner, C. D. 2009. Special project soil survey of Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resources Conservation Science. In cooperation with the USDI National Park Service and the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station. [in review]
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.