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A3624 Picea glauca - Pseudotsuga menziesii Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This forest alliance occurs in the montane zone of the central Rocky Mountains, from southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia to western Montana, and is dominated by Picea glauca or Picea x albertiana hybrids.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Spruce - Douglas-fir Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain White Spruce - Douglas-fir Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This forest alliance occurs in the montane zone of the central Rocky Mountains, from southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia to western Montana, and possibly Wyoming. Forests are dominated by Picea glauca or Picea x albertiana. Associates vary geographically. Common associated conifers can include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, and Abies lasiocarpa. The shrub layer is often absent, but when present is often dominated by species of Vaccinium spp., including Vaccinium scoparium. Other common shrub species may include Cornus canadensis, Juniperus communis, Linnaea borealis, Ribes spp., Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, or Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by perennial forbs. Graminoids are generally sparse.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The average tree canopy is greater than 60% cover and dominated by Picea glauca. Generally found in lower montane and foothill settings in the central Rocky Mountain region, with Rocky Mountain floristic components (as opposed to boreal floristics). Other trees present can include Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Populus tremuloides or Picea x albertiana hybrids.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Much work needs to be done to characterize this alliance. It currently is a placeholder alliance for the main part of ~Central Rocky Mountain Montane White Spruce Forest Group (G345)$$ that is north of the Black Hills. See the group description for references. Scattered white spruce stands in the central parklands of Alberta are treated elsewhere. No sources are currently known for Montana. Its full geographic extent and distinguishing / diagnostic features require further work. As of 2014, the association lists for the Alberta and British Columbia parts have not been integrated.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are dominated by evergreen needleleaf conifers, with average tree canopy cover greater than 60% cover.
Floristics: Forests are dominated by Picea glauca or Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca) hybrids. Associates vary geographically. Common associated conifers can include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, and Abies lasiocarpa. The shrub layer is often absent, but when present is often dominated by species of Vaccinium spp., including Vaccinium scoparium. Other common shrub species may include Cornus canadensis, Juniperus communis, Linnaea borealis, Ribes spp., Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, or Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by perennial forbs. Graminoids are generally sparse.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest alliance is limited to lower montane and foothill settings on sideslopes and depressions, likely adjoining riparian zones, where snow is well-retained. Soils vary widely from deep to shallow.
Geographic Range: This forest alliance occurs in the montane zone of the central Rocky Mountains, from southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia to western Montana, and possibly Wyoming.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, BC, MT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899682
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.f White Spruce - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G345 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.f |
| Alliance | A3624 White Spruce - Douglas-fir Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A3624 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.f |
Concept Lineage: No previous concept
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Montane Natural Subregion (Natural Regions Committee 2006) [The white spruce group is found within the mesic parts of this region, which can contain other types.]
< Montane Spruce Zone (Meidinger and Pojar 1991) [The white spruce group is found within the mesic parts of this ecological zone, which can contain other types.]
< Montane Spruce Zone (Meidinger and Pojar 1991) [The white spruce group is found within the mesic parts of this ecological zone, which can contain other types.]
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Meidinger, D., and J. Pojar, editors. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Special Report Series No. 6. Victoria, BC. 330 pp.
- Natural Regions Committee. 2006. Natural regions and subregions of Alberta. Compiled by D. J. Downing and W. W. Pettapiece. Publication No. T/852. Government of Alberta.