Print Report
A3108 Pseudotsuga menziesii / Quercus hypoleucoides - Quercus rugosa Forest & Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This highly diverse Madrean forest and woodland alliance is dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii, or less commonly Abies concolor or Abies coahuilensis (in Mexico) in the overstory with Pinus arizonica, Pinus ponderosa, or Pinus strobiformis often present to codominant as a major seral species or, in some instances, a late-seral species. It is restricted to the isolated "sky island" mountain ranges of southwestern New Mexico, southern Arizona, and northern Mexico.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Douglas-fir / Silverleaf Oak - Netleaf Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Madrean Douglas-fir / Oak Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This high-elevation, diverse Madrean forest and woodland alliance is restricted to the isolated "sky island" mountain ranges of southwestern New Mexico, southern Arizona, and northern Mexico. The diagnostic species for this Madrean forest alliance are upper montane conifer species such as Pseudotsuga menziesii (typical dominant) and Abies coahuilensis (in Mexico) or Abies concolor, which may be present to dominant. Pinus arizonica, Pinus ponderosa, or Pinus strobiformis are often present to codominant as major seral species in the subcanopy. Juniperus deppeana is common as a subcanopy tree or shrub. The subcanopy and understory are characterized by Madrean oak species Quercus arizonica, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus hypoleucoides, or Quercus rugosa, ranging from present to abundant with Quercus gambelii and Quercus emoryi absent or with low cover. Other shrubs include Ceanothus fendleri, Cercocarpus montanus, and Garrya wrightii. The herbaceous layer ranges from low to moderate cover with moderate diversity. The robust grass Muhlenbergia longiligula typically dominates the ground cover. Forb cover is typically sparse. Stands typically occur at elevations ranging from 1770 -2680 m (5800-8000 feet), with lower elevation stands found on northerly to east-facing, mid to upper slopes and higher elevation stands found on warmer southerly aspects. Soils tend to be shallow, rocky and skeletal and are derived from rhyolite and granite parent materials.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The diagnostic species for this Madrean forest alliance are upper montane conifer species such as Pseudotsuga menziesii (typical dominant) and Abies coahuilensis and Abies concolor, which may be present to dominant. Characteristic species Pinus arizonica, Pinus ponderosa, or Pinus strobiformis are often present to codominant. The subcanopy is composed of Madrean evergreen oaks Quercus arizonica, Quercus hypoleucoides, or Quercus rugosa that characterize the subcanopy or understory. Other diagnostic species include Madrean scrub species such as Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus emoryi, and Quercus grisea; characteristic herbaceous species are perennial grasses such as Muhlenbergia longiligula.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Addition field survey and classification work are needed to determine if Abies coahuilensis-dominated stands should be included in this alliance or part of a new southern alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These forests and woodlands are characterized by a multi-tiered needle-leaved evergreen tree canopy up to 40 m high, with between 20 and 100% cover. The subcanopy is often characterized by dominance of broad-leaved evergreen trees. Tall- or short-shrub layers may be present to moderately dense.
Floristics: Pseudotsuga menziesii dominates the overstory with Pinus arizonica, Pinus ponderosa, or Pinus strobiformis often present to codominant as major seral species or, in some instances, late-seral species. Abies concolor or Abies coahuilensis (in Mexico) may be present to dominant in this alliance. Pinus discolor may be present in lower elevation stands. Juniperus deppeana is common as a subcanopy tree or shrub. Subcanopy and understory are characterized by Madrean oak species Quercus arizonica, Quercus hypoleucoides, or Quercus rugosa, ranging from present to abundant with Quercus gambelii and Quercus emoryi absent or with low cover. On very rocky sites Quercus chrysolepis can be abundant, with cover up to 20%. Other shrubs include Ceanothus fendleri, Cercocarpus montanus, and Garrya wrightii. The herbaceous layer ranges from low to moderate cover with moderate diversity. The robust grass Muhlenbergia longiligula typically dominates the ground cover. Bromus ciliatus var. richardsonii (= Bromus richardsonii), Carex geophila, Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria pyramidata), and Poa fendleriana can also be present. Forbs are poorly represented; the most constant species are Ageratina herbacea (= Eupatorium herbaceum), Comandra umbellata, Galium tinctorium, Hedeoma hyssopifolia, Lathyrus graminifolius, Mirabilis comata (= Oxybaphus comatus), Packera neomexicana (= Senecio neomexicanus), Pseudocymopterus montanus, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This highly diverse Madrean forest and woodland alliance is restricted to the isolated "sky island" mountain ranges of southwestern New Mexico, southern Arizona, and northern Mexico. The upper montane to subalpine forests are confined to the upper elevations in the Sierra Madre Occidentale and Sierra Madre Orientale of Mexico. In the U.S., it is restricted to north and east aspects at high elevations in the Sky Islands (Chiricahua, Huachuca, Pinaleno, Santa Catalina, and Santa Rita mountains, among others) and along the Nantanes Rim. It is more common in Mexico and does not occur north of the Mogollon Rim. Stands typically occur at elevations ranging from 1770 -2680 m (5800-8000 feet), with lower elevation stands found on northerly to east-facing, mid to upper slopes and higher elevation stands found on warmer southerly aspects. Soils tend to be shallow, rocky and skeletal and are derived from rhyolite and granite parent materials. Stands can also occur as a topo-edaphic climax at lower elevations in ravines and canyons, which have significant cold-air drainage. These sites have deeper soil but remain cool.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in mountains in southwestern New Mexico, southern Arizona, northern Mexico and potentially in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and Mexico. It is specifically known from the Sierra Ancha, Bradshaw Chiricahua, Pinaleno and Santa Catalina mountains, along the Mogollon Rim and occasionally along the rim of the Nantanes Plateau.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXCHH, MXSON, NM, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899238
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nd Madrean-Balconian Forest & Woodland Division | D060 | 1.B.1.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nd.2 Chihuahuan Pine - Douglas-fir / Silverleaf Oak Madrean Montane Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M011 | 1.B.1.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b Douglas-fir - Southwestern White Pine / Silverleaf Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G202 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Alliance | A3108 Douglas-fir / Silverleaf Oak - Netleaf Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3108 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000451 Douglas-fir / Arizona White Oak Forest | CEGL000451 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000453 Douglas-fir / Silverleaf Oak Forest | CEGL000453 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000454 Douglas-fir / Netleaf Oak Forest | CEGL000454 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance I.A.8.N.c. Pseudotsuga menziesii Forest Alliance (A.157) in part.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? 122.61 Douglas-fir-Mixed Conifer Series in the Madrean Montane Conifer Forest Biome (Brown et al. 1979)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii Series (Muldavin et al. 1996) [nearly equivalent in U.S.]
>< Douglas-fir Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< IA1a. Douglas Fir - Pine Forest (Allard 1990)
>< Interior Douglas-fir: 210 (Eyre 1980)
= Pseudotsuga menziesii Series (Muldavin et al. 1996) [nearly equivalent in U.S.]
>< Douglas-fir Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< IA1a. Douglas Fir - Pine Forest (Allard 1990)
>< Interior Douglas-fir: 210 (Eyre 1980)
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