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CEGL005893 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Menziesia ferruginea / Clintonia uniflora Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Rusty Menziesia / Bride''s Bonnet Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a broadly distributed association strongly associated with Pacific maritime climatic regime which penetrates with ever diminishing influence just east of the Continental Divide in the northern Rocky Mountains. It is well-documented from north-central Idaho and western Montana northwards into neighboring provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. This is a type of lower to mid-elevation subalpine environments with a relatively narrow elevation range in any given locality and an overall range of 1280 to 1770 m. It is characteristic of cool, moist exposures, typically occupying moderate to steep slopes with north- and east-facing slope aspects. Soils are derived from a variety of noncalcareous and calcareous sedimentary rock, as well as metamorphic types (including quartzites, mica schists), volcanics (both intrusive and extrusive, including granitics and basalts), and glacial till and drift. Surface horizon soil textures are predominantly silt loams and loams. In northern Idaho and western Montana an ash cap of variable depth (2.5-61 cm [1-24 inches]) increases the moisture-holding capacity and nutrient content of these soils. The overstory is dominated by a variable combination of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii; total tree canopy cover is generally in the range of 50 to 80%. This association represents predominantly mature to old-growth conditions, but seral species can be present, in declining order of importance, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus monticola, and Pinus albicaulis. The undergrowth generally has a lush aspect with a tall to mid-sized shrub layer dominated by Menziesia ferruginea, Vaccinium membranaceum, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, Sorbus spp., Lonicera utahensis, and Ribes lacustre. Vaccinium scoparium (or Vaccinium myrtillus) and Linnaea borealis are the predominant dwarf-shrubs. Graminoids are scarce with only Bromus vulgaris and Bromus ciliatus being present with any constancy at all. The forb component is virtually always dominated by one, or a combination of, the following three species: Xerophyllum tenax, Arnica latifolia (or Arnica cordifolia), or Thalictrum occidentale. However, the type is recognized by the presence of either Clintonia uniflora or Tiarella trifoliata, which have much more restricted environmental ranges (mesic to hygric moisture regimes) than the above-named forb dominants; their cover seldom exceeds 10%. Other forbs consistently present with low coverages include Veratrum viride, Heracleum maximum, Galium triflorum, and Senecio triangularis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The presence of a tall-shrub layer dominated by Menziesia ferruginea makes this association quite recognizable, and easily distinguished from the similar and landscape-coupled ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Clintonia uniflora Forest (CEGL005912)$$ and ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Clintonia uniflora - Xerophyllum tenax Forest (CEGL005892)$$. This type is the result of elevating to association status what was a well-documented phase within the habitat type system (Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora - Menziesia ferruginea). There is abundant documentation that it defines a unique environment and has a characteristic composition. The name was slightly modified to reflect the composition of the tree canopy, which in fact, on average, has greater cover of Picea engelmannii than Abies lasiocarpa. This association is expected to occur in Washington and Oregon because Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora and Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea associations are listed for both states; where these indicator species co-occur there is usually a distributional overlap, thus defining a unique environment.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory is dominated by a variable combination of Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, though in exceptional cases either may be wanting; total tree canopy cover is generally in the range of 50 to 80%. Most of the plots from which this type has been defined represent mature to old-growth conditions; though younger stands will key here, they are not well-represented on the landscape due to the fact that this type is distinctive in that both Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii establish readily only shortly after disturbance events. Other seral tree species are, in declining order of importance, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus monticola, and Pinus albicaulis. Sites are apparently beyond the cold limits of Pinus ponderosa. The undergrowth generally has a lush aspect with a tall to mid-sized shrub layer dominated by Menziesia ferruginea, Vaccinium membranaceum, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, Sorbus spp., Lonicera utahensis, and Ribes lacustre. Vaccinium scoparium (or Vaccinium myrtillus) and Linnaea borealis are the only dwarf-shrubs present with greater than 20% constancy. Menziesia ferruginea has by far the greatest cover with some stands in the very moderate environments of northern Idaho having cover approaching 100% and heights over 8 feet; this condition contrasts with this type at its cold dry limits on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains where Menziesia ferruginea height potential is in the 3- to 4-foot range and cover is often not much greater than 10%. Graminoids are scarce with only Bromus vulgaris and Bromus ciliatus being present with any constancy at all. The forb component is virtually always dominated by one or a combination of the following three: Xerophyllum tenax, Arnica latifolia (or Arnica cordifolia), or Thalictrum occidentale, which are at least 80% constant and have coverages often exceeding 20%. However the type is recognized by the presence of either Clintonia uniflora or Tiarella trifoliata, which have much more restricted environmental ranges (mesic to hygric moisture regimes) than the above-named forb dominants; their cover seldom exceeds 10%. The consistent presence of other forbs affirms the type''s mesic to hygric nature and includes Veratrum viride, Heracleum maximum, Galium triflorum, and Senecio triangularis; were they plentiful a yet wetter community would be recognized. In more localized landscapes the following forbs are highly constant, Anemone piperi, Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), Viola orbiculata, Goodyera oblongifolia, and Trillium ovatum.
Dynamics: The mesic to hygric nature of this type favors the establishment of tree species of the climax stage, Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, following disturbance. However, a frequent alternative post-disturbance scenario, particularly following clearcutting, is the development of long-persisting shrubfields, where tall shrubs (Menziesia ferruginea, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, Sorbus sitchensis, Sorbus scopulina) dominate and trees are slow to establish.
Environmental Description: This is a broadly distributed association strongly associated with Pacific maritime influences which penetrate with ever diminishing influence as far east as just east of the Continental Divide in Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park and the Lewis and Clark National Forest to the south. This is a type of lower to mid-elevation subalpine environments cited from a relatively narrow elevation range, 1555 to 1675 m (5100-5500 feet) in central Idaho (Steele et al. 1981), 1400 to 1800 m (4600-5900 feet) in northern Idaho (Cooper et al. 1987), and 1370 to 1740 m (4500-5700 feet) in western Montana (Pfister et al. 1977). A more intensive inventory of Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park has demonstrated a slightly broader elevation range, 1280 to 1920 m (4200-5800 (6300) feet). It is characteristic of cool, moist exposures, typically occupying moderate to steep slopes with northerly and easterly aspects. It is associated with collecting positions, from midslopes downward to toeslopes and even benches where cold air ponds. Again, an intensive sampling of Glacier-Waterton shows it to occur across a broader environmental spectrum than hitherto had been appreciated. Factor compensation is nicely exemplified in the Glacier-Waterton data with stands occurring on southerly exposures but only at the highest elevations of the type. Soils are derived from a variety of noncalcareous and calcareous sedimentary, metamorphic (including quartzites, mica schists), volcanics (including granitics and basalts), and glacial till and drift. In Montana in the vicinity of the Continental Divide, it has been demonstrated that the type occurs about 90 to 150 m (300-500 feet) higher on calcareous substrates in contrast to all varieties of noncalcareous substrates. Surface horizon soil textures are predominantly silt loams and loams. In northern Idaho and western Montana an ash cap of variable depth (2.5-61 cm [1-24 inches]) increases the moisture-holding capacity and nutrient content of these soils.
Geographic Range: This is a broadly distributed association strongly associated with Pacific maritime influences in the northern Rocky Mountains of northern Idaho, western Montana, and southwestern Alberta with a minor presence southward into the ranges of central Idaho. This association is expected to occur in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon based on the existence of appropriate habitat and distributional range of the defining species.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, ID, MT, OR?, WA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730825
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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 | A3614 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A3614 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL005893 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Rusty Menziesia / Bride''s Bonnet Forest | CEGL005893 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: This association (CEGL000307) was based on a Habitat Type concept, including the phases of the H.T. in this association. Phases of the H.T. have now been split out into association elements, as well as the seral components of the H.T.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Menziesia ferruginea / Clintonia uniflora Forest (Hop et al. 2007)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Cooper et al. 1987)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Pfister et al. 1977)
>< Picea engelmannii - Abies lasiocarpa - (Pinus contorta) / Menziesia ferruginea / Arnica cordifolia - Rubus parviflorus Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
= Picea engelmannii - Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea - Tiarella unifoliata Habitat Type (Ogilvie 1962)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Cooper et al. 1987)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Steele et al. 1981)
= Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Menziesia ferruginea Phase (Pfister et al. 1977)
>< Picea engelmannii - Abies lasiocarpa - (Pinus contorta) / Menziesia ferruginea / Arnica cordifolia - Rubus parviflorus Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
= Picea engelmannii - Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea - Tiarella unifoliata Habitat Type (Ogilvie 1962)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- Achuff, P. L., R. L. McNeil, M. L. Coleman, C. Wallis and C. Wershler. 2002. Ecological land classification of Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. Volume I: Integrated resource description. Parks Canada, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. 226 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Ogilvie, R. T. 1962. Ecology of spruce forests on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Unpublished dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman. 189 pp.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Williams, C. K., B. F. Kelly, B. G. Smith, and T. R. Lillybridge. 1995. Forest plant associations of the Colville National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-360. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 140 pp.