Print Report
G344 Calocedrus decurrens - Pinus lambertiana - Abies lowiana Forest & Woodland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This large group consists of montane forests dominated by a single species or a mix of conifers such as Abies lowiana, Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus kelloggii, and Pinus monticola. Additional species included in this group that have a more limited range are Abies bracteata, Abies magnifica var. magnifica, Abies magnifica var. shastensis, Pinus ponderosa var. washoensis, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, and Sequoiadendron giganteum. Understories are variable. These forests occur from southern Oregon into Baja California, Mexico. This group includes forests dominated by conifer trees on serpentine (ultramafic) soils.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group
Colloquial Name: Californian Montane Conifer Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group comprises low- to mid-montane elevation forests and woodlands dominated by conifer trees, either with one dominant species or as mixed-conifer forests. They occur on all aspects in lower montane zones from southern Oregon (600-2200 m [1800-6700 feet] elevation) down to 425 m (1400 feet) in elevation along Klamath River, south through the Sierra Nevada (1200-2150 m) in southern California, throughout the Transverse Ranges of California, and into northern Baja California, Mexico (1200-2740 m [4000-8300 feet]). They also occur in the higher North Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, the southern Cascades, on the Modoc Plateau as well as at lower to middle elevations of the Sierra Nevada on both the east and west sides. This group occurs in a variety of topo-edaphic positions, such as upper slopes at higher elevations, canyon sideslopes, ridgetops, and south- and west-facing slopes which burn relatively frequently. It also occurs in cool ravines and north-facing slopes. Several conifer species co-occur in individual stands and the wide variation of possible combinations is difficult to capture in a few summary sentences. The following list of species are those that cover the range of the group and that occur as pure stands or mixed with two or more species as dominants with others as sub-dominants: Abies lowiana, Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus kelloggii, and Pinus monticola. Additional species included in this group that have limited ranges include Pseudotsuga macrocarpa stands of the Transverse Ranges of southern California; Abies bracteata stands of the central coast region; in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoiadendron giganteum dominates, usually with Abies lowiana; at the highest elevations stands may mix with Abies magnifica var. magnifica and Abies magnifica var. shastensis; Chrysolepis chrysophylla occurs in the western Klamath Mountains; Pinus ponderosa var. washoensis may replace Pinus jeffreyi further north in the Carson Range and Warner Mountains. Understories are variable. This group also includes forests dominated by conifer trees on serpentine (ultramafic) soils. Many of the characteristic conifer alliances of this group have associations that are specific to serpentine soils.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group comprises low- to mid-montane elevation (not foothill nor upper montane-subalpine) forests and woodlands dominated by conifer trees, either with one dominant species or as mixed-conifer forests. They occur on all aspects in lower montane zones. Dominant species include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lowiana, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus jeffreyi, Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus lambertiana, and Sequoiadendron giganteum (and others).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: These are montane and relative cool temperate stands of generally mixed conifers (although single-species stands are included) that are not at low elevations near the coast. This group includes former Sierran-Intermontane Desert Western White Pine - White Fir Woodland Group (G234). This group does not include coastal mixed evergreen forests [see ~Californian Moist Coastal Mixed Evergreen Forest Group (G208)$$], mixed conifer stands near the coast [see ~Californian Conifer Forest & Woodland Group (G198)$$], stands of ponderosa pine on the east side of the Cascades [see ~Cascadian Oregon White Oak - Conifer Forest & Woodland Group (G206)$$], or ~Central Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Open Woodland Group (G213)$$ north of the Warm Springs Reservation of central Oregon.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is characterized by open to closed tree canopies, 15-60 m in height, and evergreen needle-leaved conifer growth form.
Floristics: Stands may have single or several conifer species co-occurring in individual stands; the wide variation of possible combinations is difficult to capture in a few sentences. The following list of species are those that cover the range of the group and that occur as pure stands or mixed with two or more species as dominants with others as sub-dominants: Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus kelloggii, and Pinus monticola. Additional species included in this group that have limited ranges include Pseudotsuga macrocarpa stands of the Transverse Ranges of southern California; Abies bracteata stands of the central coast region; Picea breweriana in the Klamath Mountains; in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoiadendron giganteum dominates, usually with Abies lowiana; at the highest elevations stands may mix with Abies magnifica var. magnifica and Abies magnifica var. shastensis (= Abies x shastensis); Chrysolepis chrysophylla occurs in the western Klamath Mountains; Pinus ponderosa var. washoensis (= Pinus washoensis) may replace Pinus jeffreyi further north in the Carson Range and Warner Mountains. Understories are variable. In the Sierra Nevada, some stands can have dense understory mats of Chamaebatia foliolosa (and other low, spreading shrubs) which foster relatively high-frequency, low-intensity surface fires. Other common understory shrubs are Corylus cornuta, Cornus nuttallii, and at higher elevations Chrysolepis sempervirens. In Oregon, shrubs such as Holodiscus discolor, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Mahonia nervosa, Mahonia aquifolium, and Symphoricarpos mollis are common in addition to graminoids such as Festuca californica, Elymus glaucus, and Danthonia californica.
In areas of recent fire or other disturbance, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus integerrimus, Ceanothus cordulatus, and Ribes spp. are more common. On the east side of the Sierra Nevada, there can be well-developed shrub understories with strong Great Basin affinities; species can include Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii (= Symphoricarpos parishii), Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus prostratus, Ceanothus integerrimus, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Eriogonum wrightii, Quercus vacciniifolia, and Lupinus elatus. Fire of highly variable patch size and return interval maintains the structure of these forests and woodlands.
In areas of recent fire or other disturbance, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus integerrimus, Ceanothus cordulatus, and Ribes spp. are more common. On the east side of the Sierra Nevada, there can be well-developed shrub understories with strong Great Basin affinities; species can include Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii (= Symphoricarpos parishii), Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus prostratus, Ceanothus integerrimus, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Eriogonum wrightii, Quercus vacciniifolia, and Lupinus elatus. Fire of highly variable patch size and return interval maintains the structure of these forests and woodlands.
Dynamics: Historically, frequent and low-intensity fires maintained these forests and woodlands. Due to fire suppression, the majority of these forests now have closed canopies, whereas in the past, a moderately high fire frequency (every 15-30 years) formerly maintained a more open forest of many conifers and correspondently diverse understory.
Environmental Description: This group occurs on all aspects in lower montane zones from southern Oregon (600-2200 m [1800-6700 feet] elevation) down to 425 m (1400 feet) in elevation along Klamath River, south through the Sierra Nevada (1200-2150 m) in southern California, throughout the Transverse Ranges of California, and into northern Baja California, Mexico (1200-2740 m [4000-8300 feet]). They occur in the Klamath Mountains, the southern Cascades, on the Modoc Plateau as well as at lower and middle elevations of the Sierra Nevada on both the east and west sides. High elevations of the Coast Ranges also contain pockets of this forest type. This group occurs in a variety of topo-edaphic positions, such as upper slopes at higher elevations, canyon sideslopes, ridgetops, and south- and west-facing slopes which burn relatively frequently. It also occurs in cool ravines and north-facing slopes. This group also includes forests dominated by conifer trees on serpentine (ultramafic) soils. Climate: This group occurs in lower montane regions in a montane (oro-) Mediterranean climate.
Geographic Range: This group occurs in lower and mid-montane zones from southern Oregon south through the Sierra Nevada, in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon/northern California, throughout the Transverse Ranges of California and into northern Baja California, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN, NV, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.833254
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: G230+G231+G232+G233+G234 combined into G344 (2-7-13)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Interior Ponderosa Pine: 237 (Eyre 1980) [This group includes Ponderosa pine in the Sierra Nevada of California.]
< Jeffrey Pine: 247 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Douglas-fir: 229 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir: 244 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Ponderosa Pine: 245 (Eyre 1980) [Ponderosa pine stands in the Sierras and Klamaths are included in this group.]
>< Port Orford-Cedar: 231 (Eyre 1980)
>< Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer: 243 (Eyre 1980)
>< White Fir: 211 (Eyre 1980) [White fir (Abies lowiana) is a major component of this group.]
< Jeffrey Pine: 247 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Douglas-fir: 229 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir: 244 (Eyre 1980)
>< Pacific Ponderosa Pine: 245 (Eyre 1980) [Ponderosa pine stands in the Sierras and Klamaths are included in this group.]
>< Port Orford-Cedar: 231 (Eyre 1980)
>< Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer: 243 (Eyre 1980)
>< White Fir: 211 (Eyre 1980) [White fir (Abies lowiana) is a major component of this group.]
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