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Pinus ponderosa / Festuca campestris Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus ponderosa / Festuca campestris Woodland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This association is most prevalent throughout northwestern Montana and the isolated ranges of central Montana, but it also occurs farther west in northern Idaho, eastern Washington, and possibly in interior British Columbia. It occurs primarily as small (to large) stands on south- and west-facing slopes at elevations of less than 1525 m (5000 feet). It is also found on moderate north slopes and benchlands near lower timberline where it transitions to fescue grasslands or ~<i>Pinus ponderosa / Pseudoroegneria spicata</i> Woodland (CEGL000865)$$ on drier exposures. It occurs on a broad spectrum of parent materials, including calcareous substrates. Surface soils are generally gravelly, ranging from silts to fine sandy loams. Bare soil is minimal, and there are only moderate amounts of exposed rock. Soils average about 4 cm of duff depth and have a darkened A1 surface horizon, indicative of the strong influence of abundant graminoids and forbs on soil development. Stands are open to approaching a savanna-like condition and uniquely dominated by <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> with negligible amounts of <i>Pinus flexilis</i> and/or <i>Juniperus scopulorum</i>; <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> is considered to be an "accidental." The shrub component is depauperate in species and cover, with only <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i> and <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i> exhibiting constancy approaching 50%. Bunch grasses dominate the undergrowth (highest coverages approaching 70%, averaging about 55%) with dominance shifting between <i>Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Koeleria macrantha, Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron caninum), Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentale)</i>, and <i>Achnatherum nelsonii (= Stipa nelsonii)</i>, depending on disturbance regime (livestock grazing primarily). Forbs of highest constancy include <i>Achillea millefolium, Anemone multifida, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Lithospermum ruderale, Galium boreale, Geum triflorum</i>, and <i>Potentilla gracilis</i>; total forb cover seldom exceeds 20%.  Accession Code: VB.CC.33096.CEGL000185 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.2.684736 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Ponderosa Pine / Rough Fescue Woodland   Scientific: Pinus ponderosa / Festuca campestris Woodland   Code: CEGL000185