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Pinus contorta / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus contorta / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association is known only from Rocky Mountain National Park. It occurs within the elevational range of 2730 to 3170 m (8960-10,380 feet) on somewhat steep (26-49%), variably facing midslopes, benches or high slopes. The well-drained soil is sandy loam or clay loam and is derived from granitic parent material or glacial deposits. Exposed rock may cover 10-30% of the ground, and 25-60% is typically covered by litter and duff. Vegetation is characterized by an open to dense tree canopy (30-80% cover) composed almost entirely of <i>Pinus contorta</i> but may include <i>Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa</i> or <i>Picea engelmannii</i> up to 5% each. The short-shrub stratum, if present, is not well-defined and may exist as tree saplings and seedlings of canopy species, particularly at higher elevations where the influence of the spruce-fir regime is greater. There is a distinct dwarf-shrub stratum(<0.5 m), which can cover 30-80% of the stand. It consists primarily of <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i> with small amounts of <i>Mahonia repens, Juniperus communis</i>, or <i>Vaccinium scoparium</i>. There is no distinct herbaceous layer; however, herbaceous species such as <i>Carex rossii, Pyrola chlorantha</i>, and <i>Thermopsis divaricarpa</i> may be present. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.32129.CEGL005935
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
     
  • status: accepted
  • This Community's Level: association
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.735323 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Lodgepole Pine / Whortleberry Forest
  Scientific: Pinus contorta / Vaccinium myrtillus Forest
  Code: CEGL005935