Name:
Abies lasiocarpa / Vaccinium caespitosum Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This widespread forest association occurs in the subalpine zone in the southern, central and northern Rocky Mountains. Sites are relatively cold, moist benches, basins, ridge slopes and high plateaus often in areas where cold air accumulates (frost pockets), but generally do not occur next to active streams. Substrates are well-drained, often gravelly, sand- to clay loam-textured soils. The vegetation is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with 5% or more cover of Vaccinium caespitosum in the understory. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-75% cover). The upper tree canopy is typically codominated by Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii and mature seral tree species, with Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Important seral species in the tree canopy are Pinus contorta, Pinus albicaulis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Larix occidentalis, and sometimes Populus tremuloides. Undergrowth is variable depending on elevation and may be diverse, but is typically an open to dense dwarf-shrub layer with 5% to abundantly more cover of Vaccinium caespitosum. Other relatively consistent shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Juniperus communis, Linnaea borealis, Lonicera utahensis, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes montigenum, Shepherdia canadensis, Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Vaccinium scoparium, which may codominate. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by Calamagrostis rubescens. Other relatively consistent species are Arnica spp., Chamerion angustifolium, Carex spp., Fragaria spp., Galium spp., Lupinus argenteus, and Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda). Higher elevation stands have herbaceous layers that are often dominated by alpine forbs and graminoids.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20878.ABIESLASIOCARPA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
