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Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This subalpine forest association is known from the central and northern Rocky Mountains from northwestern Wyoming, across Idaho and western Montana into Canada. Elevations range from 1070 to 2500 m (3500-8200 feet). Stands occur on a variety of sites from steep colluvial slopes to gentle rolling terrain on relatively warm, dry sites. Sites at lower elevation and latitude are typically restricted to northerly aspects or limestone substrate. Higher elevation sites occur on a variety of aspects with the most northerly stands restricted to dry southern aspects. Parent materials are various. Tree litter is often 4-6 cm deep and dominates ground cover. Vegetation is characterized by an overstory tree canopy dominated by <i>Pinus contorta</i> with <i>Spiraea betulifolia</i> prominent in the understory. <i>Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>, or <i>Populus tremuloides</i> may be present in the subcanopy. Sites are generally too cool for <i>Pinus ponderosa</i>. <i>Spiraea betulifolia</i> is a major component in the short-shrub layer with <i>Mahonia repens</i> or <i>Paxistima myrsinites</i> sometimes abundant. Other common shrubs include <i>Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Lonicera utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Shepherdia canadensis, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, or <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i>. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids <i>Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Festuca idahoensis</i>, or <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>, with a variety of forbs. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29073-{E25DA36F-B16E-4CE4-97EA-C158F290CBE1}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 4
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 06-Jul-2005 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687132 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL000164
  Translated: Lodgepole Pine / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Forest
  Scientific: Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL000164
(similar) Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest
(similar) Pinus contorta / Spiraea betulifolia Forest