Name:
A.559
Reference:
EcoArt 2002
Description:
These upper montane or subalpine conifer woodlands are found in many of the mountainous areas of the western United States within cool and relatively dry climate regimes. Stands may also occur at montane elevations where cold-air drainage modifies the environment. These woodlands are typically found where marginal growing conditions such as low precipitation, or droughty sites or substrates produce an open tree canopy. Parent materials and soils are variable across the distribution of the alliance. In mature stands, the association is characterized by ~Abies lasiocarpa$ as the dominant tree species, often with ~Picea engelmannii$. In seral stands other conifers can be important or even dominant, but ~Abies lasiocarpa$ is always present in the regeneration layer. Other tree associates include ~Pinus albicaulis, Pinus contorta, Picea glauca, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga$ spp., ~Larix$ spp., and ~Chamaecyparis nootkatensis$. Most woodlands in this alliance have well-developed shrub layers. Important to dominant species include ~Phyllodoce empetriformis, Vaccinium$ spp., ~Vaccinium myrtillus, Juniperus communis, Shepherdia canadensis, Paxistima myrsinites$, and ~Rhododendron albiflorum$. Stands with sparse shrub layers are typically a reflection of dry conditions, such as vegetated scree slopes or lava fields, and may include species such as ~Salix brachycarpa, Salix glauca, Holodiscus dumosus, Juniperus communis, Acer circinatum$, and ~Ribes$ spp. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse. Important forbs include species of ~Arnica, Thalictrum, Pedicularis, Lupinus$, and ~Fragaria$. Graminoids are rarely important in these woodlands. Diagnostic of woodlands in this alliance is that they are upland (non-flooded) with average tree canopy of less than 60% cover that is either dominated by ~Abies lasiocarpa$ or has ~Abies lasiocarpa$ as the predominant conifer in the tree-regeneration layer.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.2203.A559
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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