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CEGL005926 Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Dwarf Bilberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association occurs in the subalpine zone in the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Sites are relatively cold, moist benches, basins, ridge slopes and high plateaus often in areas where cold air accumulates (frost pockets). Substrates are typically well-drained, sandy loam to gravelly clay-textured soils derived from argillite, quartzite sandstone or glacial till. Litter dominates the ground surface (about 3 cm deep) with low cover of bare soil and rock (<10%). This conifer association is characterized by a Picea engelmannii-codominated tree canopy with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium cespitosum in the understory. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-65% cover). The upper tree canopy is typically codominated by Picea engelmannii or Picea x albertiana, and mature seral tree species with Picea engelmannii dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Abies lasiocarpa is typically absent from the tree canopy and regeneration layer or is restricted to drier microsites. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus contorta, and sometimes Populus tremuloides. Undergrowth is variable depending on elevation and may be diverse, but is typically an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium cespitosum. Other relatively consistent shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Linnaea borealis, Mahonia repens, Ribes montigenum, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos albus, and Vaccinium scoparium, which may codominate. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by Calamagrostis rubescens. Other relatively constant species are Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Carex rossii, Galium spp., and Thalictrum occidentale. Higher elevation stands have herbaceous layers that are often dominated by alpine forbs and graminoids.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association now includes the former Picea (engelmannii x glauca, engelmannii) / Vaccinium cespitosum Forest (CEGL000416), originally identified by Pfister et al. (1977) from throughout western Montana. Picea engelmannii and/or Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) (hybrids) are the diagnostic overstory species in this plant association. Stands can include pure Picea engelmannii and Picea x albertiana hybrid, or both. Hansen et al. (1995) explained that the frequent absence of mature cones, similar morphology, and ecological amplitudes led them to lump Picea engelmannii and Picea glauca (hybrids) into a single type, as did Pfister et al. (1977).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This conifer association is characterized by a Picea engelmannii-codominated tree canopy with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium cespitosum in the understory. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-65% cover). The upper tree canopy is typically codominated by Picea engelmannii or Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) hybrids, and mature seral tree species with Picea engelmannii dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Abies lasiocarpa is typically absent from the tree canopy and regeneration layer or restricted to drier microsites. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, Pinus contorta, and sometimes Populus tremuloides. Undergrowth is variable depending on elevation and may be diverse, but is typically an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium cespitosum. Other relatively constant shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Linnaea borealis, Mahonia repens, Ribes montigenum, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos albus, and Vaccinium scoparium, which may codominate. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by Calamagrostis rubescens. Other relatively constant species are Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Carex rossii, Galium spp., and Thalictrum occidentale. Higher elevation stands have herbaceous layers that are often dominated by alpine forbs and graminoids such as Lewisia pygmaea, Polygonum bistortoides, Sibbaldia procumbens, Trifolium spp., Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca brachyphylla, Poa alpina, and Trisetum spicatum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association occurs in the subalpine zone in the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 2925-3385 m (9600-11,100 feet) on the Uinta Mountains of northern Utah and down to 945-1980 m (3100-4200 feet) in northwestern Montana. Sites are relatively cold, moist benches, basins, ridge slopes and high plateaus often in areas where cold air accumulates (frost pockets). Substrates are typically well-drained, sandy loam to gravelly clay-textured soils derived from argillite, quartzite or glacial till. Litter dominates the ground surface and is over 3 cm deep with low cover of bare soil and rock.
Geographic Range: This subalpine forest association is found in the mountains of northeastern Utah and western Montana. It is highly likely to also occur in Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731884
Confidence Level: Low
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 | CEGL005926 Engelmann Spruce / Dwarf Bilberry Forest | CEGL005926 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: CEGL000416 and CEGL000378 merged, and expanded in concept to include both P. engelmannii and P. engelmannii x glauca hybrids
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Picea / Vaccinium caespitosum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium caespitosum Forest (Hop et al. 2007)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium caespitosum Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium caespitosum Forest (Hop et al. 2007)
= Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium caespitosum Habitat Type (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- 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.
- Mauk, R. L., and J. A. Henderson. 1984. Coniferous forest habitat types of northern Utah. General Technical Report INT-170. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 89 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.