Print Report
CEGL002174 Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce / Fragrant Bedstraw Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a wet forest type that occurs in southwestern Montana, eastern Idaho, and western Wyoming. It occurs on alluvial terraces and bottomlands, moist benches bordering streams, and it can also occur on moist toeslopes. It is not entirely restricted to riparian settings. It ranges in elevation from 854 to 2151 m (2800-7052 feet). Sites can be flat, gently sloping to undulating. Soils are mostly derived from alluvial deposits; litter is nearly always present, and wet sites can have organic layers over 50 cm thick. Stands are generally dominated in the upper canopy by Picea engelmannii, Picea glauca, or the hybrid between them. Abies lasiocarpa may be present but not abundant. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, Picea pungens, and Populus species may be present in small amounts, especially if the site has been disturbed. Shrub layer is minor but may include Alnus incana, Ribes spp., Rubus idaeus, Linnaea borealis, Symphoricarpos albus, and Lonicera utahensis. The herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs and is depauperate of graminoid species. Galium triflorum, Actaea rubra, and Streptopus amplexifolius are generally abundant and are indicators of a wet site. Other common forbs include Aconitum columbianum, Thalictrum sp., Rudbeckia occidentalis, Osmorhiza berteroi, Heracleum maximum, and Geranium richardsonii. This type is distinguished from similar associations by the dominance of Picea engelmannii and the lack of robust Abies lasiocarpa.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Former Picea (engelmannii x glauca, engelmannii) / Galium triflorum Forest (CEGL000409) in Montana has been merged with former Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Forest (CEGL000355) into a single entity which can include pure Picea engelmannii, pure Picea glauca, or Picea engelmannii x glauca hybrids, or both. This type was described in Montana as the Picea spp. / Galium triflorum Community Type by Hansen et al. (1995) and Pfister et al. (1977). The authors explain that the frequent absence of cones and similar morphology and ecological amplitudes caused them to lump stands dominated by Picea engelmannii and Picea glauca (hybrids) into a single type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are generally dominated in the upper canopy by Picea engelmannii, Picea glauca, or the hybrid between them. Abies lasiocarpa may be present but not abundant. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, Picea pungens, and Populus species may be present in small amounts, especially if the site has been disturbed. Shrub layer is minor but may include Alnus incana, Ribes spp., Rubus idaeus, Linnaea borealis, Symphoricarpos albus, and Lonicera utahensis. The herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs and is depauperate of graminoid species. Galium triflorum, Actaea rubra, and Streptopus amplexifolius are generally abundant and are indicators of a wet site. Other common forbs include Aconitum columbianum, Thalictrum sp., Rudbeckia occidentalis, Osmorhiza berteroi, Heracleum maximum, and Geranium richardsonii.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It occurs on alluvial terraces and bottomlands, moist benches bordering streams, and it can also occur on moist toeslopes. It is not entirely restricted to riparian settings. It ranges in elevation from 854 to 2151 m (2800-7052 feet). Sites can be flat, gently sloping to undulating. Soils are mostly derived from alluvial deposits; litter is nearly always present, and wet sites can have organic layers over 50 cm thick.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in northwestern Wyoming, southwestern and central Montana, Idaho and possibly Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, UT?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758060
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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 | CEGL002174 Engelmann Spruce / Fragrant Bedstraw Forest | CEGL002174 | 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: < Picea - Abies lasiocarpa / Galium triflorum Habitat Type (Cooper 1975)
= Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Community Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
< Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Picea spp. / Galium triflorum Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
< Conifer/ Actaea rubra (Padgett et al. 1989) [They note that Youngblood et al. (1985a) describe a similar Picea / Galium triflorum community type that includes stands that would belong to their type.]
= Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Community Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
< Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
< Picea engelmannii / Galium triflorum Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Picea spp. / Galium triflorum Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
< Conifer/ Actaea rubra (Padgett et al. 1989) [They note that Youngblood et al. (1985a) describe a similar Picea / Galium triflorum community type that includes stands that would belong to their type.]
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Cooper, S. V. 1975. Forest habitat types of northwestern Wyoming and contiguous portion of Montana and Idaho. Unpublished dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman. 190 pp.
- 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.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- 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.
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Steele, R., S. V. Cooper, D. M. Ondov, D. W. Roberts, and R. D. Pfister. 1983. Forest habitat types of eastern Idaho - western Wyoming. General Technical Report INT-144. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 122 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Young, J. F. 1982. Soil survey of Teton County, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park Area. USDA Soil Conservation Service and Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. 173 pp.
- Youngblood, A. P., W. G. Padgett, and A. H. Winward. 1985a. Riparian community type classification of eastern Idaho-western Wyoming. R4-Ecol-85-01. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 78 pp.