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CEGL005357 Abies concolor / Mixed Grasses Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Fir / Mixed Grasses Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This white fir forest occurs in southern and central Utah and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1848-2718 m (6060-8910 feet). Stands occur on high slopes of hills, mesas, plateaus, canyon and benches. The ground surface generally has high cover of litter and sometimes rocks with sparse to moderate exposure of bedrock, bare soil, and wood. Soils are rapidly drained with variable textures ranging from gravelly loams to silty clay loams. Vegetation is characterized by an open to moderate (10-40% cover) tree canopy with an understory dominated by a mixed grasses. The tree canopy is dominated or codominated by Abies concolor with Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, or Juniperus scopulorum often present in the canopy and subcanopy. The understory consists primarily of bunchgrasses with low to moderately dense cover (10-55%), among which Achnatherum lettermanii, Koeleria macrantha, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata are the most common. The non-native grasses Bromus inermis and Poa pratensis are common in some stands. Forb cover is sparse and often diverse. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present but do not form a layer. The mixed perennial grass herbaceous layer and lack of a distinct shrub layer are diagnostic of this white fir forest.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This associations is characterized by an open to moderate (10-40% cover) tree canopy with an understory dominated by mixed grasses. The tree canopy is dominated or codominated by Abies concolor with Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, or Juniperus scopulorum often present in the canopy and subcanopy. The understory consists primarily of bunchgrasses with low to moderately dense cover (10-55%), among which Achnatherum lettermanii, Koeleria macrantha, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata are the most common. The non-native grasses Bromus inermis and Poa pratensis are common in some stands. Forb cover is sparse and often diverse. Frequent species include Artemisia ludoviciana, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Lupinus argenteus, Penstemon eatonii, Penstemon platyphyllus, and Sedum debile. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present but do not form a distinct layer. Shrubs species include Cercocarpus intricatus, Chrysothamnus depressus, Ericameria nauseosa, Mahonia repens, Quercus gambelii (<5% cover), Physocarpus alternans, or Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor saplings up to 2 m tall may also be present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association occurs in southern and central Utah and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 1848-2718 m (6060-8910 feet). Stands occur on high slopes of hills, mesas, plateaus, canyon and benches. The ground surface generally has high cover of litter and sometimes rocks with sparse to moderate exposure of bedrock, bare soil, and wood. Soils are rapidly drained with variable textures ranging from gravelly loams to silty clay loams.
Geographic Range: This white fir forest occurs in southern and central Utah and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.815363
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 | CEGL005357 White Fir / Mixed Grasses Forest | CEGL005357 | 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 / Mixed Grasses Forest (Tendick et al. 2011b)
- Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Wight, K. Schulz, and A. Evenden. 2009b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/210. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 208 pp.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. 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.