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CEGL005351 Abies concolor - (Pseudotsuga menziesii) / Quercus gambelii / Carex rossii Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir - (Douglas-fir) / Gambel Oak / Ross'' Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is widespread in New Mexico and Arizona and likely occurs throughout much of the southern Rocky Mountains and high plateaus of Utah. Stands occur from 2200 to 2900 m (7200-9500 feet) in elevation with aspects that range from the northwest through northeast at lower elevations to southerly on higher sites. Slopes are gentle on the shoulder slopes of drainages and canyons (8-18%) and steep on canyon sideslopes (50-75%). Geologic substrates include volcanic andesite, rhyolite, and rhyolitic tuffs. Ground surface is typically dominated by leaf litter with coarse woody debris often abundant. The vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense mixed tree canopy (50-80% cover) that is dominated by Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Pinus ponderosa can also be a present to codominant, and Pinus strobiformis or Pinus flexilis are often present. The understory is characterized by Quercus gambelii shrubs and occasionally as mature trees with over 5% cover. Shrubs are often diverse and cover may exceed 25%, with Jamesia americana and Rosa woodsii often present with over 5% cover. In addition, on post-fire sites, Robinia neomexicana can be present to codominant, but does not dominate. The herbaceous layer is characteristically poorly represented with total cover typically less than 5%. Graminoids are the most abundant, with Carex rossii usually dominant and Poa fendleriana as a common associate. Forbs are poorly represented, with Thalictrum fendleri the most frequent representative.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association was formerly considered part of the more broadly defined ~Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Forest (CEGL000261)$$, but was subsequently refined for New Mexico and now includes relatively dry stands as indicated by the presence of Carex rossii. Rangewide review of ~Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Forest (CEGL000261)$$ is needed to break out and reclassify these more xeric stands from relatively mesic types such as ~Abies concolor - (Pseudotsuga menziesii) / Quercus gambelii / Thalictrum fendleri Forest (CEGL005352)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation in this association is characterized by a moderate to dense mixed tree canopy (50-80% cover) that is dominated by Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Pinus ponderosa can also be a present to codominant, and Pinus strobiformis or Pinus flexilis are often present. The understory is characterized by Quercus gambelii shrubs and occasionally as mature trees with over 5% cover. Shrubs are often diverse and cover may exceed 25%, with Jamesia americana and Rosa woodsii often present with over 5% cover. In addition, on post-fire sites, Robinia neomexicana can be present to codominant, but does not dominate. The herbaceous layer is characteristically poorly represented with total cover typically less than 5%. Graminoids are the most abundant, with Carex rossii usually dominant and Poa fendleriana as a common associate. Forbs are poorly represented, with Thalictrum fendleri the most frequent representative.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association ranges in elevation from 2200 to 2900 m (7200-9500 feet) with aspects that range from the northwest through northeast at lower elevations to southerly on higher sites. Slopes are gentle on the shoulder slopes of drainages and canyons (8-18%) and steep on canyon sideslopes (50-75%). Geologic substrates include volcanic andesite, rhyolite, and rhyolitic tuffs. Ground surface is typically dominated by leaf litter with coarse woody debris often abundant.
Geographic Range: This forest association is widespread in New Mexico and Arizona and likely occurs throughout much of the southern Rocky Mountains and high plateaus of Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, UT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.814863
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c White Fir - Douglas-fir Southern Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Group | G226 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3420 White Fir Dry Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3420 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005351 White Fir - (Douglas-fir) / Gambel Oak / Ross'' Sedge Forest | CEGL005351 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Abies concolor / Quercus gambelii Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
- DeVelice, R. L., J. A. Ludwig, W. H. Moir, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1986. A classification of forest habitat types of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. General Technical Report RM-131. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 59 pp.
- Moir, W. H., and J. A. Ludwig. 1979. A classification of spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat types of Arizona and New Mexico. Research Paper RM-207. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 47 pp.
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.