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CEGL005934 Pinus contorta / Rock Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Rock Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association in currently known only from Rocky Mountain National Park on gentle to somewhat steep (1-49%), south-facing midslopes or benches at 2670 to 3020 m (8740-9900 feet) elevation. Surficial geology is granitic, and exposed rock comprises 45-80% of the stand surface area. Litter and duff may also comprise 5-30% of the ground cover. Soils are sandy or sandy loam and are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained. The open to dense tree canopy (10-70% cover) of this association ranges from 5-15 m in height and is dominated by Pinus contorta with Abies lasiocarpa possible in very low concentrations. There is no distinct shrub stratum; however, Vaccinium scoparium, Vaccinium myrtillus, Juniperus communis var. montana, or Populus tremuloides may be present. Similarly, there is no distinct herbaceous stratum; however, species such as Antennaria spp., Carex rossii, Erigeron spp., Poa spp., Potentilla fissa, and Sedum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum may be present with low cover. Diagnostic of this lodgepole pine woodland association is the lack of a significant understory with a typically rocky surface.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic of this lodgepole pine woodland association is the lack of a significant understory with a typically rocky surface.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Many lower subalpine, spruce-fir and upper montane Douglas-fir forest and woodland stands include Pinus contorta trees in a mixed-conifer canopy. To clarify classification, only stands with tree canopies strongly dominated by Pinus contorta (usually >2/3 tree canopy) are considered to be Pinus contorta woodland and forest associations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The open to dense tree canopy (10-70% cover) of this association ranges from 5-15 m in height and is dominated by Pinus contorta with Abies lasiocarpa possible in very low concentrations. There is no distinct shrub stratum; however, Vaccinium scoparium, Vaccinium myrtillus (= var. oreophilum), Juniperus communis var. montana, or Populus tremuloides may be present. Similarly, there is no distinct herbaceous stratum; however, species such as Antennaria spp., Carex rossii, Erigeron spp., Poa spp., Potentilla fissa, and Sedum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum may be present with low cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs on gentle to somewhat steep (1-49%), south-facing midslopes or benches at 2670 to 3020 m (8740-9900 feet) elevation. Surficial geology is granitic, and exposed rock comprises 45-80% of the stand surface area. Litter and duff may also comprise 5-30% of the ground cover. Soils are sandy or sandy loam and are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained.
Geographic Range: This association in currently only known from Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.735319
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.a Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G220 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Alliance | A4079 Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A4079 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL005934 Lodgepole Pine / Rock Woodland | CEGL005934 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus contorta / Rock Woodland (Salas et al. 2005)
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.