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Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This mixed conifer association occurs on the eastern slope of the Oregon Cascades and is most often found on north-facing slopes between 1025-1350 m elevation. The moderate elevation make sites warmer and drier than most other <i>Abies grandis</i> associations. Soils are derived from volcanic ash and basalt parent materials and the surface layers are especially deep fine, sandy loams. The tree canopy is codominated by <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> and <i>Abies grandis</i>, each of which attain about 22% cover. <i>Abies grandis</i> trees have grown in older stands following the advent of fire suppression earlier this century. <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> is also common but averages only 15% cover. <i>Pinus contorta</i> is abundant in fire initiated stands less than 100 years of age. The north-facing aspects moderate the moisture and temperature enough to allow occasional individuals of <i>Larix occidentalis</i> an <i>Pinus monticola</i> to grow despite being near the limits of their physiological tolerance. The dominant shrubs are <i>Chrysolepis chrysophylla</i> and <i>Symphoricarpos mollis</i> (or <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i>), each averaging about 5% cover. <i>Rosa gymnocarpa</i> and <i>Chimaphila umbellata</i> are also common. <i>Acer circinatum</i> is infrequent but may occur in large patches. <i>Linnaea borealis</i> is common in the herbaceous layer and may be extensive; it is often accompanied by <i>Achlys triphylla</i> and other herbs. Known stands are located in areas where heavy grazing by sheep occurred in the early 1900s. The floristics of this association may still be influenced by the selective overgrazing and soil compaction that occurred at that time. This association has more shrub cover, especially by <i>Chrysolepis chrysophylla</i>, than either ~<i>Abies grandis / Linnaea borealis</i> Forest (CEGL000275)$$ or ~<i>Abies grandis - Pseudotsuga menziesii / Trientalis borealis ssp. latifolia</i> Forest (CEGL000040)$$. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:28947-{C6D8EC2B-C6D7-465B-9BFF-485958769963}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 24-Aug-1993 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683744 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL000038
  Translated: Grand Fir / Giant Chinquapin Forest
  Scientific: Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
(similar) Abies grandis / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
(similar) CEGL000038