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stdcommconcept1996919969

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Picea pungens Woodland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Picea pungens Woodland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These conifer woodlands occur at middle elevations (2300-2800 m) of the central and southern Rocky Mountains, usually on slopes of southwesterly aspects, and a variety of topographic positions. Although they represent the warmest and driest of the Picea pungens communities, they can be associated with frost pockets and lower slopes with cool-air drainage. At higher elevations they are found on southerly slopes, and at lower elevations on northerly slopes. Soils are variable, but usually young and derived from glacial or alluvially deposited materials. Woodlands included in this alliance are characterized by the dominance of Picea pungens in the canopy. Other conifers are usually codominant. Species include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies concolor, Picea engelmannii, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus strobiformis. Populus tremuloides is the only widespread hardwood associate. The shrub layer is sparse to absent. The sparse to dense herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial bunch grasses, although rhizomatous sedges may be common in some stands. The most important grasses include Festuca arizonica, Muhlenbergia montana, Muhlenbergia virescens, Koeleria macrantha, and Poa fendleriana. The most commonly present sedge is Carex siccata (= Carex foenea). Forb cover is sparse. Diagnostic of this woodland alliance is the dominance of Picea pungens growing in open-canopy woodlands on non-flooded sites.  Accession Code: VB.CC.19969.PICEAPUNGENSWOO Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Picea pungens Woodland Alliance   Translated: Blue Spruce Woodland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125023 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.557