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Abies lasiocarpa Krummholz Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies lasiocarpa Krummholz Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These dwarf-tree shrublands occur in the upper treeline areas of the Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 3600 m in Colorado down to 2000 m in northern Montana and Canada. Climate is cold, temperate often with heavy winter snow, and short cool summers. Sites are nearly level to steeply sloping. Stands are often extensive on more mesic north aspects. Sites are wind-swept most of the year by prevailing westerly winds. Winter winds are especially intense and desiccate and kill needles and stems, and deform branches that are above the snowpack. Soils are shallow, lithic, gravelly or sandy loams, and rock outcrops are common. Stands form a mosaic of dense patches of dwarfed evergreen conifer trees (usually less than 2 m tall with occasional taller wind-flagged individuals), alpine meadow or fell-fields. The woody canopy is dominated or codominated by stunted Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii. Occasional Pinus albicaulis, Pinus flexilis, Pinus aristata, Pinus contorta, or Larix lyallii may be present. Picea engelmannii is more prominent on more xeric sites in more southern latitudes and Abies lasiocarpa on mesic sites and in the north. Other woody species may be present, including shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Phyllodoce glanduliflora, Kalmia polifolia, Ribes montigenum, Vaccinium membranaceum, and Vaccinium scoparium. The herbaceous layer is sparse under dense shrub canopies, or may be dense turf where the shrub canopy is open and where soil is not limiting. It is often dominated by mesic or xeric alpine forb and graminoid species, but may include subalpine species especially in protected areas.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18332.ABIESLASIOCARPA Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Abies lasiocarpa Krummholz Shrubland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Subalpine Fir Krummholz Shrubland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683535 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000985   Scientific: Abies lasiocarpa Krummholz Shrubland (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii Krummholz Shrubland