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CEGL005918 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum / Clintonia uniflora Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Dwarf Bilberry / Bride''s Bonnet Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs in the lower subalpine zone in the northern Rocky Mountains. Sites are cool, relatively moist benches and may be frost pockets. Elevations range from 945-1250 m (3100-4100 feet). Substrates are typically well-drained, gravelly, sandy loam- to silt-textured soils derived from argillite, quartzite or glacial till. Litter dominates ground surface over 3 cm deep with low cover of bare soil and rock. The vegetation of this conifer association is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with 5% cover or more of Vaccinium cespitosum and/or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Clintonia uniflora or Tiarella trifoliata are always present in stands and not confined to mesic microsites. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-65% cover). The upper tree canopy is typically codominated by Picea engelmannii and mature seral tree species, with Abies lasiocarpa dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus contorta. Undergrowth is variable; however, an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer is present and is codominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Linnaea borealis, and Vaccinium cespitosum. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by Xerophyllum tenax or Calamagrostis rubescens.
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: This conifer association is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with Clintonia uniflora or Tiarella trifoliata present in stands and not confined to mesic microsites, and with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium cespitosum and/or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-65% cover). The upper tree canopy is typically codominated by Picea engelmannii and mature seral tree species, with Abies lasiocarpa dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus contorta. Undergrowth is variable; however, an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer is present and is codominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Linnaea borealis, and Vaccinium cespitosum. Other consistent shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Cornus canadensis, Lonicera utahensis, Mahonia repens, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, and Vaccinium membranaceum. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by Xerophyllum tenax or Calamagrostis rubescens. Other relatively consistent species are Arnica spp., Campanula rotundifolia, Galium spp., Lupinus argenteus, Maianthemum spp., Oryzopsis asperifolia, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), and Viola orbiculata. Thalictrum occidentale and Tiarella trifoliata are often absent or have low cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association occurs in the lower subalpine zone in the northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations are 945-1250 m (3100-4100 feet) mostly in the upper Flathead Valley. Sites are cool, relatively moist benches and may be frost pockets. Substrates are typically well-drained, gravelly, sandy loam- to silt-textured soils derived from argillite, quartzite or glacial till. Litter dominates ground surface over 3 cm deep with low cover of bare soil and rock.
Geographic Range: This forest association occurs in the lower subalpine zone in the northern Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana and Alberta.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731786
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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 | CEGL005918 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Dwarf Bilberry / Bride''s Bonnet Forest | CEGL005918 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium caespitosum / Clintonia uniflora Forest (Hop et al. 2007)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Vaccinium caespitosum Phase (Pfister et al. 1977)
< Abies lasiocarpa / Clintonia uniflora Habitat Type, Vaccinium caespitosum Phase (Pfister et al. 1977)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.