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Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Thalictrum occidentale Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Thalictrum occidentale Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This forest association occurs in the subalpine zone in the central and northern Rocky Mountains. Sites are cool and moist north slopes and benches, but may occur on any aspect. Elevations range from 1770 to 2625 m (5805-8600 feet). Substrates are typically well-drained, medium- to fine-textured soils with moderately low gravel content (15%) that are derived from a variety of parent materials. Litter dominates ground surface often 5 cm deep with low cover of bare ground and rock. The vegetation is characterized by Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii codominating the tree canopy with Vaccinium scoparium or Vaccinium myrtillus well-represented to dominant in the dwarf-shrub layer and Thalictrum occidentale, Viola orbiculata, and/or Valeriana sitchensis common in the herbaceous layer. The evergreen needle-leaved tree canopy is open to moderately dense (over 25% cover) and is typically codominated by Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, and often Pinus contorta (seral), with Abies lasiocarpa dominating the subcanopy and regeneration layers. Undergrowth is typically a moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Vaccinium scoparium or Vaccinium myrtillus. Other consistent shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Juniperus communis, Spiraea betulifolia, and Vaccinium membranaceum. The sparse to moderate herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs. Other consistent forbs include Arnica spp., Eucephalus engelmannii, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda).  Accession Code: VB.CC.26054.ABIESLASIOCARPA Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 11-Mar-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Grouseberry / Western Meadowrue Forest   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731800 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL005919   Scientific: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Thalictrum occidentale Forest (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Vaccinium scoparium / Thalictrum occidentale Forest