Name:
Pinus ponderosa Forest Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
Forests dominated by Pinus ponderosa occur in mountainous regions of the western United States, from the Cascades and Black Hills, throughout the Rocky Mountains, southeast to the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. This alliance may range into southern British Columbia, and although Pinus ponderosa is found in Mexico, it is uncertain whether this alliance ranges into that country. This alliance can be found on slopes of a variety of aspects and pitches, but is most often on gentle to moderate, northeast- to northwest-facing slopes. It can be on slopes of other aspects where the soil is heavier and retains more moisture or if other conditions make the site relatively mesic. Periodic ground fires are important in maintaining Pinus ponderosa forests. In the prolonged absence of fires, some stands will succeed to other communities. Throughout its range, Pinus ponderosa is found at elevations from sea level to 3050 m (10,000 feet). Within the central Rocky Mountains, Pinus ponderosa grows at elevations between 1800-2600 m (6000-8500 feet). In the Black Hills and northeastern Wyoming, it can be found from 1080-2100 m (3600-7000 feet). In the southeastern United States, these forests are restricted to the high elevations (over 1800 m, 6000 feet) of the Guadalupe, Davis, and Chisos mountains in western Texas, where associations are dominated by Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum. Associated species vary with elevation and geography, but consistently include Quercus gambelii, Pinus strobiformis, Juniperus deppeana, Quercus grisea, Quercus muehlenbergii, Pinus arizonica var. stormiae, Cupressus arizonica, Juniperus flaccida, Festuca arizonica, Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. neomexicanum), Panicum bulbosum, and Piptochaetium pringlei (= Stipa pringlei).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18177.PINUSPONDEROSAF
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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