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Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This association is relatively uncommon in Glacier National Park, Montana, and Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. This woodland association occupies moderately steep to steep slopes with northerly to westerly aspects. Stands may be located at low, middle or high positions along mountain slopes. Elevation ranges from 1770-2155 m (5806-7068 feet). The association may develop over talus and scree slopes, on pockets of soil above exposed ridges, or on colluvial deposits that overlie bedrock. Parent material is typically derived from sedimentary siltstone, with evidence present in the form of argillite in surface soils. Soil is poorly developed in most stands and is characterized as a sandy loam. Sites are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained. Ground cover is dominated by litter in most stands, although large and small rock may cover significant surface area in stands that develop on talus and scree. Stands within this association have one of two physiognomic characters. The association may be composed of erect, widely spaced trees, 5-10 m tall, with an upper canopy cover of up to 30% and a sparse subcanopy. The association may also exhibit a shrubby, krummholz growth form, with mature trees ranging in height from 2-5 m and no discernible subcanopy. <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Picea engelmannii</i> are the most common species in both the upper and subcanopy. <i>Pinus contorta</i> may be well-represented in stands impacted by fire within the last 50 years. Shrub cover is sparse. <i>Vaccinium cespitosum</i> may be well-represented in stands positioned in frost pockets or with cold-air drainage. Herbaceous cover ranges from 40-90%. Common forbs with at least 10% cover include <i>Arnica latifolia, Valeriana sitchensis</i>, and <i>Thalictrum occidentale</i>. <i>Pedicularis bracteosa</i> may have high cover (near 30%) in some stands. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34479-{A78ED734-5742-41DA-B1C9-9415648A7B2F}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 11-Mar-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731820 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005823
  Translated: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Sitka Valerian Woodland
  Scientific: Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland
(similar) Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Valeriana sitchensis Woodland