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A.419 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.419
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: These mixed evergreen-deciduous forests have been reported from mountain and plateau environments of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, where they occur at montane elevations (2000-2900 m). Annual precipitation averages 50-80 cm, with abundant snowfall, but summer rainfall due to convective storms is also important. Soils are generally slightly acidic, well-drained loams or sandy loams with substantial organic matter. Past disturbance appears to be a key factor in distribution of these forests. At drier sites these forests may be somewhat stable, but in mesic areas they are seral communities which become established following fire. These forests are characterized by ~Abies concolor$ and ~Populus tremuloides$ as canopy codominants. Common tree associates include ~Pseudotsuga menziesii$ and ~Picea pungens$. There is usually a subcanopy of saplings or pole-sized individuals of conifer species. An evergreen or cold-deciduous shrub layer is often present, including ~Acer glabrum, Arctostaphylos patula, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Mahonia repens$, or ~Juniperus communis$. The herbaceous ground layer is usually luxuriant and species rich in comparison to adjacent conifer forests. Common understory herbs include ~Festuca arizonica, Poa fendleriana, Carex siccata (= Carex foenea), Carex rossii, Thalictrum fendleri, Achillea millefolium, Rudbeckia occidentalis$, and ~Pteridium aquilinum$. Adjacent vegetation is typically ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii$ or ~Pseudotsuga menziesii$ forests, ~Artemisia$ shrublands, or mesic herbaceous meadows. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.2083.A419
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: I.C.3.N.a
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: ABIES CONCOLOR - POPULUS TREMULOIDES FOREST ALLIANCE
  Code: A.419
  Common: White Fir - Quaking Aspen Forest Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Abies concolor - Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance