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CEGL005648 Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Central Rocky Mountain Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush Central Rocky Mountain Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the central Rocky Mountains and interior Pacific Northwest from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California. Stands tend to occupy south-facing, moderate to somewhat steep slopes (10-49%). Elevations range from 1450-2300 m (4760-7550 feet). Soils are relatively deep, mesic, well-drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from sandstone, granite, colluvium or alluvium. Ground cover of litter and duff is often significant (30-60%). This Pinus ponderosa woodland is strongly dominated by Pinus ponderosa, often in open stands (10-40% cover) 10 to 35 m tall. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, and Populus tremuloides are common associates. The shrub layer is characterized and dominated by Purshia tridentata, although cover may be as low as 1% in sparsely vegetated stands. Additional species include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Juniperus communis, Prunus virginiana, Ribes cereum, and Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is inversely proportional to shrub cover and is dominated by graminoids, especially Pseudoroegneria spicata. Additional graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Danthonia parryi, Poa fendleriana, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, and Festuca idahoensis. Forbs are present and often diverse but have low cover. Forb composition largely depends on geographic region but often includes Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Antennaria spp., Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum racemosum, Penstemon virens, and Sedum lanceolatum, among many others. Bare ground and needle duff can be prevalent in some stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Taxonomists (Kartesz 1999) recognize two varieties of Pinus ponderosa, a Pacific form, Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa, and an interior form, Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum. This association may be dominated by either variety in Montana, but Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa further west.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This Pinus ponderosa woodland is strongly dominated by Pinus ponderosa (predominantly Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa), often in open stands (10-40% cover) 10 to 35 m tall. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, and Populus tremuloides are common associates. The shrub layer is characterized and dominated by Purshia tridentata, although cover may be as low as 1% in sparsely vegetated stands. Additional species include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia tridentata, Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, Ribes cereum, and Prunus virginiana, Symphoricarpos albus. The herbaceous layer is inversely proportional to shrub cover and is dominated by graminoids, especially Festuca idahoensis and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Additional graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Danthonia parryi, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, and Poa fendleriana. Forbs are present and often diverse but have low cover. Forb composition largely depends on geographic region but often includes Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis (= Achillea lanulosa), Antennaria spp., Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum racemosum, Penstemon virens, and Sedum lanceolatum, among many others. Bare ground and needle duff can be prevalent in some stands.
Dynamics: Purshia tridentata is important browse for wildlife and livestock. It is shade-intolerant and an early colonizer (Zlatnik 1999). It is killed by fire, although reinvades quickly (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968). Stands in the Colorado Plateau would not carry fire well because they are typically sparsely vegetated. Fire in denser stands would likely result in removal of ponderosa pine canopies and result in the possible formation of a mixed shrub or shrub-herbaceous community.
Environmental Description: This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the central Rocky Mountains and interior Pacific Northwest. Stands tend to occupy south-facing, moderate to somewhat steep slopes (10-49%). Elevations range from 1450-2300 m (4760-7550 feet). Soils are relatively deep, mesic, well-drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from sandstone, granite, colluvium or alluvium. Ground cover of litter and duff is often significant (30-60%).
Geographic Range: This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the western United States from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, ID, MT, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.959235
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.2 Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir - Limber Pine Central Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Macrogroup | M501 | 1.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a Ponderosa Pine Central Rocky Mountain Open Woodland Group | G213 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Alliance | A3446 Ponderosa Pine / Shrub Understory Central Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A3446 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005648 Ponderosa Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush Central Rocky Mountain Woodland | CEGL005648 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
>< Ponderosa pine / bitterbrush / fescue (CP-S2-12) (Hopkins 1979b)
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
>< Ponderosa pine / bitterbrush / fescue (CP-S2-12) (Hopkins 1979b)
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- Clausnitzer, R. R., and B. A. Zamora. 1987. Forest habitat types of the Colville Indian Reservation. Unpublished report prepared for the Department of Forest and Range Management, Washington State University, Pullman. 110 pp.
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- Daubenmire, R. F., and J. B. Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 60. 104 pp.
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- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
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- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
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