Name:
Picea pungens Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Forests included in this alliance are characterized by the dominance of <i>Picea pungens</i> in the forest canopy. <i>Populus tremuloides</i> may codominate on some sites. Other conifers are usually present in these stands and may include <i>Abies concolor, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus strobiformis</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. The shrub layer is usually of only moderate cover and dominated by ericaceous or cold-deciduous species, with the latter group increasing with soil moisture or proximity to watercourses. Common species include <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Acer glabrum, Juniperus communis, Lonicera involucrata, Quercus gambelii</i>, and <i>Rubus parviflorus</i>. Due to favorable soil moisture, the herbaceous layer is usually a diverse mixture of forbs and graminoids that may include <i>Achillea millefolium, Arnica cordifolia, Carex siccata, Erigeron eximius, Festuca arizonica, Fragaria virginiana, Linnaea borealis, Packera cardamine</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>. This forest alliance occurs at middle elevations (1800-3300 m) of the central and southern Rocky Mountains, usually in moist, concave topographic positions. Soils are variable, but usually young and derived from glacial or alluvially deposited materials. Stands often occupy sites that are protected from extreme sun and wind within <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> or <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> montane forests. North aspects are most common.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38028-{2152F869-0786-4295-B8FF-72815984E3AD}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
