Name:
Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii Southern Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These conifer forests occur predominantly in the southern Rocky Mountains where they are often the matrix forests of the upper montane and subalpine zones. These are closed-canopy forests (60-100% cover) dominated by <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and/or <i>Picea engelmannii</i>. <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> may not be present where sites are too dry or cold. Canopy associates are variable depending on location. Common associates include <i>Abies concolor, Picea pungens, Pinus strobiformis, Populus tremuloides</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. Forest understories are highly variable across the range of this alliance and can be dominated by grasses, dry sedges, mesic forbs or shrubs. The shrub layer is sparse to moderately dense. Important shrubs may include <i>Acer glabrum, Lonicera utahensis, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Physocarpus malvaceus, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Rosa</i> spp., <i>Rubus parviflorus, Symphoricarpos</i> spp., and <i>Vaccinium</i> spp. Forb cover is often sparse, but diverse with species including <i>Arnica</i> spp., <i>Aquilegia</i> spp., <i>Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Erigeron eximius, Lupinus argenteus, Mertensia</i> spp., <i>Mitella pentandra, Orthilia secunda, Osmorhiza berteroi, Oxypolis fendleri, Packera</i> spp., <i>Pyrola</i> spp., and <i>Stellaria</i> spp. Graminoid cover is generally low but may include <i>Achnatherum lettermanii, Bromus carinatus, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca idahoensis, Luzula parviflora</i>, and <i>Trisetum spicatum</i>. Associations occur on cool, relatively mesic to moist sites with gentle to steep slopes on all aspects (especially northerly) and also on lower slopes of canyon drainages and riparian areas. Elevations range from 2200-3500 m.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38835-{FA2A69F4-1AF8-4654-8D8E-62EAF6815BA6}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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