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Pinus contorta Woodland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus contorta Woodland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This woodland alliance includes upland plant associations found in the montane and subalpine zone of major mountain ranges of the western U.S., as well as one association occurring on wooded sand dunes of the Pacific coast. Sites include canyons, ridges, swales, plateaus, toeslopes, basins, flats, and benches. Slopes and aspects are not consistent. Soils are variable, but tend to be coarse-textured and well drained. Forests included in this alliance are characterized by the dominance of Pinus contorta in an open tree canopy. Most associations are considered early to mid-successional. Following stand-replacing fires, Pinus contorta will rapidly colonize and dominate sites. The open tree canopy is related to unusually dry or cold topo-edaphic situations such as excessively well-drained pumice deposits, shallow rocky soils with little water-holding capacity often on warm aspects, and well-drained to xeric stabilized sand dunes. Trees may be stunted and twisted in coastal stands. Pinus contorta is usually the only mature tree in these woodlands, but occasionally other conifers will be present. A short-shrub layer is usually present, but is often patchy and rarely has substantial cover. Important shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Purshia tridentata, Juniperus communis, Artemisia tridentata, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos patula, Amelanchier alnifolia, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, and Ribes cereum. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and has low species richness. Cespitose graminoids or forbs tolerant of dry conditions are dominant. Lichens and mosses may be present, and are an important component in coastal stands. Diagnostic of this widespread woodland alliance is the dominance of Pinus contorta in a relatively open tree canopy (<60% cover), and the lack of significant Abies lasiocarpa regeneration.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20319.PINUSCONTORTAWO 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: Pinus contorta Woodland Alliance   Translated: Lodgepole Pine Woodland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125241 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.512