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Abies lasiocarpa / Linnaea borealis Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies lasiocarpa / Linnaea borealis Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This widespread forest association occurs in the subalpine zone in the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations are 1145-2600 m (3750-7000 feet) throughout most of the range. Sites are relatively cool and moist, occurring on all aspects, but are typically found on northern slopes (especially mid to lowslopes), valley bottoms and benches. Soils are typically medium- to fine-textured and are derived from a variety of parent materials. Litter dominates ground surface often 3 cm deep with low cover of bare soil and rock (except boulders). The vegetation is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with Linnaea borealis present to dominant in the dwarf-shrub layer and Vaccinium scoparium and Xerophyllum tenax with less than 5% cover. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is moderately dense to dense (over 55% cover) and is typically dominated by Picea engelmannii and mature seral tree species, with Abies lasiocarpa dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, and Pinus contorta. Undergrowth is variable; however, an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer is present and usually dominated or codominated by Linnaea borealis. Consistent shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Mahonia repens, Ribes lacustre, Rosa spp., Rubus parviflorus, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, Vaccinium membranaceum and Vaccinium scoparium. The sparse to moderate herbaceous layer is a mixture of graminoids and forbs such as Actaea rubra, Arnica spp., Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Galium spp., Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda), and Thalictrum occidentale.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18912.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 - Picea engelmannii Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / American Twinflower Forest   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684337 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000315   Scientific: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Linnaea borealis Forest   Common: Subalpine Fir / Twinflower Forest (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Linnaea borealis Forest