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Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This association is widespread in the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California. It begins to appear above <i>Abies concolor - Pinus lambertiana</i> communities at the upper edge of the lower montane. It becomes dominant in the upper montane and gradually diminishes into the subalpine zone above. This association can occur at all elevations of the upper montane. Stands on the east side of the Sierra Nevada generally occur between 2440 and 2806 m (8000-9200 feet) elevation. Aspects are variable, but often northeast and northwest. Slopes range from gentle to steep. Stands are located on all slope positions, except they seldom occur on ridgetops. Microrelief on most sites is smooth and uniform. Soils are derived primarily from granite, with some volcanic in origin. Other parent materials are rare. Soils are significantly deeper than other sites and are usually well-drained sandy loams. This type has significantly lower levels of bare ground and surface gravel than most other sites, and litter cover and depth are significantly higher, reflecting the characteristic high levels of tree cover and debris on the forest floor. Stands are characteristically dense multi-layered forests with little ground cover. Total tree cover is one of the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. The overstory is dominated by a single tree, <i>Abies magnifica</i>. Understories are sparse; shrub and herb layers are essentially absent. In rare cases, <i>Chrysolepis sempervirens, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Quercus vacciniifolia</i>, and <i>Ceanothus cordulatus</i> may be present in substantial amounts to indicate drier sites. <i>Ceanothus cordulatus</i>, while infrequent, is important in the understory due to its ability to rapidly occupy disturbed sites. The herb layer may contain <i>Corallorhiza maculata, Pedicularis semibarbata</i>, and <i>Pyrola picta</i>. <i>Abies magnifica</i> is the major regenerating species.  Accession Code: VB.CC.34580.CEGL008609 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.2.688352 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: California Red Fir / Sparse Understory Forest   Scientific: Abies magnifica / Sparse Understory Forest   Code: CEGL008609