Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lodgepole Pine / Whortleberry Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is known only from Rocky Mountain National Park. It occurs within the elevational range of 2730 to 3170 m (8960-10,380 feet) on somewhat steep (26-49%), variably facing midslopes, benches or high slopes. The well-drained soil is sandy loam or clay loam and is derived from granitic parent material or glacial deposits. Exposed rock may cover 10-30% of the ground, and 25-60% is typically covered by litter and duff. Vegetation is characterized by an open to dense tree canopy (30-80% cover) composed almost entirely of Pinus contorta but may include Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa or Picea engelmannii up to 5% each. The short-shrub stratum, if present, is not well-defined and may exist as tree saplings and seedlings of canopy species, particularly at higher elevations where the influence of the spruce-fir regime is greater. There is a distinct dwarf-shrub stratum(<0.5 m), which can cover 30-80% of the stand. It consists primarily of Vaccinium myrtillus with small amounts of Mahonia repens, Juniperus communis, or Vaccinium scoparium. There is no distinct herbaceous layer; however, herbaceous species such as Carex rossii, Pyrola chlorantha, and Thermopsis divaricarpa may be present.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

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