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CEGL005823 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Valerian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is relatively uncommon in Glacier National Park, Montana, and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. This woodland association occupies moderately steep to steep slopes with northerly to westerly aspects. Stands may be located at low, middle or high positions along mountain slopes. Elevation ranges from 1770-2155 m (5806-7068 feet). The association may develop over talus and scree slopes, on pockets of soil above exposed ridges, or on colluvial deposits that overlie bedrock. Parent material is typically derived from sedimentary siltstone, with evidence present in the form of argillite in surface soils. Soil is poorly developed in most stands and is characterized as a sandy loam. Sites are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained. Ground cover is dominated by litter in most stands, although large and small rock may cover significant surface area in stands that develop on talus and scree. Stands within this association have one of two physiognomic characters. The association may be composed of erect, widely spaced trees, 5-10 m tall, with an upper canopy cover of up to 30% and a sparse subcanopy. The association may also exhibit a shrubby, krummholz growth form, with mature trees ranging in height from 2-5 m and no discernible subcanopy. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii are the most common species in both the upper and subcanopy. Pinus contorta may be well-represented in stands impacted by fire within the last 50 years. Shrub cover is sparse. Vaccinium cespitosum may be well-represented in stands positioned in frost pockets or with cold-air drainage. Herbaceous cover ranges from 40-90%. Common forbs with at least 10% cover include Arnica latifolia, Valeriana sitchensis, and Thalictrum occidentale. Pedicularis bracteosa may have high cover (near 30%) in some stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This woodland association appears to be very similar to ~Abies lasiocarpa / Valeriana sitchensis - Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Forest (CEGL000345)$$ which occurs in the Cascades and Olympics of Washington. The Washington type also is found at high subalpine elevations, but has Vaccinium deliciosum in the shrub layer, and Luzula glabrata in the herbaceous layer, neither of which occur in this woodland association. This woodland type seems to be associated with rocky, talusy, substrates or on colluvial slopes.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands within this association have one of two physiognomic characters. The association may be composed of erect, widely spaced trees, 5-10 m tall, with an upper canopy cover of up to 30% and a sparse subcanopy. The association may also exhibit a shrubby, krummholz growth form, with mature trees ranging in height from 2-5 m and no discernible subcanopy. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii are the most common species in both the upper and subcanopy. Pinus contorta may be well-represented in stands impacted by fire within the last 50 years. Shrub cover is sparse. Vaccinium cespitosum may be well-represented in stands positioned in frost pockets or with cold-air drainage. Herbaceous cover ranges from 40-90%. Common forbs with at least 10% cover include Arnica latifolia, Valeriana sitchensis, and Thalictrum occidentale. Pedicularis bracteosa may have high cover (near 30%) in some stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This woodland association occupies moderately steep to steep slopes with northerly to westerly aspects. Stands may be located at low, middle or high positions along mountain slopes. Elevation ranges from 1770-2155 m (5806-7068 feet). The association may develop over talus and scree slopes, on pockets of soil above exposed ridges, or on colluvial deposits that overlie bedrock. Parent material is typically derived from sedimentary siltstone, with evidence present in the form of argillite in surface soils. Soil is poorly developed in most stands and is characterized as a sandy loam. Sites are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained. Ground cover is dominated by litter in most stands, although large and small rock may cover significant surface area in stands that develop on talus and scree.
Geographic Range: This association is relatively uncommon in Glacier National Park, Montana, and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731820
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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 | A3616 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Talus & Scree Woodland Alliance | A3616 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL005823 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Valerian Woodland | CEGL005823 | 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 / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland (Hop et al. 2007)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Valeriana sitchensis - Pedicularis bracteosa - Thalictrum occidentale Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
>< Abies lasiocarpa / Valeriana sitchensis - Pedicularis bracteosa - Thalictrum occidentale Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
- 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.
- Allen, L. 2012-2013. Alberta Conservation Information Management System Ecological Community Tracking List. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Edmonton, AB. [http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/default.aspx]
- 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.
- 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.