Name:
Pinus contorta / Calamagrostis canadensis Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association is found in the upper montane and subalpine zone of the central and northern Rocky Mountains on cool, seasonally moist sites. Elevations range between 968 and 3050 m (3175-10,000 feet) depending on longitude and aspect. Stands occur in narrow canyons, valley bottoms to lower slopes, small flats and benches with gentle slopes. Soils are seasonally moist either from an impermeable soil horizon that impedes drainage or are subirrigated from nearby riparian areas, but may dry out in late summer. The vegetation is characterized by a <i>Pinus contorta</i>-dominated tree canopy with a grassy understory. The tree canopy is open to moderately dense (30-80% cover), but may be nearly closed and is often solely dominated by <i>Pinus contorta</i>. However, in some stands. <i>Populus tremuloides, Abies lasiocarpa</i>, or <i>Picea engelmannii</i> trees may be present, especially in the subcanopy. Scattered dwarf-, short and tall shrubs are often present, and may form a distinct layer. Common shrubs may include <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Betula glandulosa, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus communis, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Rosa</i> spp., <i>Rubus parviflorus, Salix</i> spp., <i>Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos albus, Vaccinium caespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum</i>, or <i>Vaccinium scoparium</i>. The moderately dense to dense (30-90% cover) herbaceous layer is typically dominated by the perennial graminoid <i>Calamagrostis canadensis</i> (>5% cover) and diverse forbs. Wet-site forbs such as <i>Aconitum columbianum, Dodecatheon jeffreyi</i>, and <i>Senecio triangularis</i> are absent or have very low cover. Diagnostic of this association is the dominance of <i>Pinus contorta</i> in the tree canopy with <i>Calamagrostis canadensis</i> dominating the graminoid layer. Moss cover can be quite high (up to 98%).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.33263.CEGL000138
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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