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A.429 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.429
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: The ~~Abies grandis - Alnus rhombifolia$ Forest Alliance (A.429)$$ has been described from a very limited area of the western slope of the northern Rocky Mountains in Idaho, where the ranges of ~Alnus rhombifolia$ and ~Abies grandis$ overlap. It occurs along streams in a low-elevation (590-735 m) belt of the Salmon River watershed in north-central Idaho. ~Alnus rhombifolia$ is an obligate wetland species that is abundant along the borders of perennial foothill streams in the interior of northern California and in the low-elevation reaches of the Columbia/Snake watershed east of the Cascades. ~Abies grandis$ is a mesic forest species requiring relatively high precipitation, which generally occurs at higher elevations in the northern Rocky Mountains. The range intersection for these two species is presumably caused by cold-air drainage and stable canyon-bottom water tables, which allow ~Abies grandis$ to extend its range to relatively low elevations. Stands of this alliance occur on moist alluvial soils with regular disturbance from flooding, and generally within 5 m of flowing water. Close to the stream channel and low in microposition are dense groves or thickets of ~Alnus rhombifolia$. ~Abies grandis$ forms a canopy over the higher streamside terraces. These two species form a mixed forest canopy over the floodplain. Associated trees (usually more than isolated individuals) include ~Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa$, and ~Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa$. ~Taxus brevifolia$ and ~Philadelphus lewisii$ often dominate in a tall-shrub layer. Other, shorter shrubs include ~Rosa woodsii, Crataegus douglasii, Amelanchier alnifolia, Salix scouleriana, Spiraea betulifolia, Cornus sericea$, and ~Lonicera$ spp. ~Maianthemum stellatum, Trillium ovatum, Adenocaulon bicolor, Polystichum munitum$, and ~Rubus parviflorus$ are common in the herbaceous layer. Adjacent vegetation is often ~Abies grandis$ forest. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.2092.A429
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:   Common: Grand Fir - White Alder Forest Alliance
  Scientific: ABIES GRANDIS - ALNUS RHOMBIFOLIA FOREST ALLIANCE
  Code: A.429
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Abies grandis - Alnus rhombifolia Forest Alliance