Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F003XN925WA
High Cryic/Udic Coniferous
Last updated: 5/10/2024
Accessed: 11/21/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Classification relationships
This ecological site is related to the National Park Service Plant Alliances: Tsuga mertensiana-Abies lasiocarpa Forest and Woodland Alliance, Tsuga mertensiana-Abies lasiocarpa-Cupressus (now Callitropsis) nootkatensis Tree Island Alliance (Crawford 2009).
This ecological site includes the following USDA Forest Service Plant Association Groups: Mesic VAME, moist VAAL and PHEM-VADE (Mountain Hemlock Series). (Henderson 1992 p.148)
Associated sites
| F003XN924WA |
Low Cryic/Udic West Coniferous |
|---|---|
| F003XN926WA |
Cryic/Udic Active Natural Disturbance |
| F003XN929WA |
Low Cryic/Udic East Coniferous |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Tsuga mertensiana |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Phyllodoce empetriformis |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Valeriana sitchensis |
Physiographic features
This native plant community occurs across many landscape positions at higher elevations of the North Cascades. This site occupies the high cryic/udic soil temperature/moisture regime and extends across glacial valleys and cirque basins to mountain slopes and ridge lines. Sites at the lower elevations will be found on northerly to easterly aspects; at higher elevations aspect no longer affects occurrence.
This ecological site has only been mapped within the boundary of the North Cascades National Park Complex. This site, where mapped, ranged from 3000 to 7000 feet in elevation. The table below refers to the representative elevations of this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain slope
(2) Valley side (3) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Flooding frequency | None to occasional |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,000 – 5,800 ft |
| Slope | 20 – 100% |
| Water table depth | 20 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
This ecological site receives most of its annual precipitation from October to April in the form of snow that will commonly persist into early summer. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 60 to 115 inches and the mean annual temperature ranges from 31 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally this site occupies areas with cool dry summers and cold wet winters.
Precipitation and temperature data in the tables below was extracted from: PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University, http://prism.oregonstate.edu, created February 2004. Information from the Ross Dam weather station, was used by the PRISM Climate Group to generate climate data for the North Cascades region.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 60 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 90 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 115 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
In general, this ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features but may be found on stream terraces or adjacent to wetland and riparian areas. Occasionally and for brief amounts of time, the site may be flooded by adjacent streams but overall this has an insignificant influence on the plant community. Typically the Kimtah or Terror soil series are present in the areas subject to flooding.
Soil features
Applicable soils: Chilliwack, Forbidden, cold, Kimtah, cold, Maggib, Mox, Perfect, cold, Spickard, cold, Terror, cold.
The soils that support this native plant community occur in the high cryic soil temperature regime and udic soil moisture regime (the rooting zone is usually moist throughout the winter and the majority of summer). For the purposes of the soil inventory, the cryic zone (average annual temperature less than 8 degrees C, with less than 5 degrees C difference from winter to summer) was divided into several zones to distinguish soil and/or climatic differences between the lower elevation west side zone (low cryic/udic west), the higher elevation crest zone (high cryic/udic), and lower elevation east side zone (low cryic/udic east). These soils are moderately well to well drained and soil depth ranges from moderately deep to very deep. Generally these soils have a mantle of material with significant volcanic ash influence overlying glacial till or colluvium. The upper mantle is characterized by a low bulk density and high water holding capacity. Soil moisture is not a limiting factor to forest growth on these soils owing to abundance of precipitation and the inherent water holding properties of soils influenced by volcanic ash. Typically under a coniferous overstory, as the amount of precipitation increases the degree of pedogenic weathering increases. Soils of the high cryic zone typically receive the most precipitation of all the coniferous ecological sites. In soils with significant volcanic ash influence and landscape stability (i.e. geologic time), weathering produces Spodosols such as the Chilliwack, Kimtah, Maggib, and Mox soil series. Some soil properties of these Spodosols are similar to the other soils found under this native plant community, but morphologically Spodosols are visually distinct because of the typically bright albic and spodic horizon sequence in the upper soil profile. Weak expression of this morphology may be visible in the Andisols and Inceptisols of this grouping but generally these soils exhibit an ochric epipedon and cambic subsurface diagnostic horizon.
A blank entry under soil depth column indicates no depth restriction within the soil profile.
For more information on soils and their terminology, please refer to Soil taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys (Soil Survey Staff, 1999; http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/taxonomy/).
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Ashy fine sandy loam (2) Ashy sandy loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to very rapid |
| Soil depth | 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
4.2 – 15.99 in |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
4 – 7 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 80% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 50% |
Ecological dynamics
This site is found in cold, moist, higher elevations. The dominant overstory species are mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Other common trees species include Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), Alaska yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). Mountain hemlock and Pacific silver fir are considered highly susceptible to laminated root rot (Phellinus weirii), which will cause patches of mortality. Subalpine fir is less susceptible to this root rot while Alaska yellow-cedar and whitebark pine are considered tolerant, giving this fungus the ability to alter forest composition. The historic fire regime of the site is one of low frequency (500+ years) and high intensity and results in a stand replacing event. Common understory shrubs include pink mountainheather (Phyllodoce empetriformis), black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), Sitka mountain-ash (Sorbus sitchensis) and Cascade huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum) while common forbs include Sitka valerian (Valeriana sitchensis), false hellebore (Veratrum viride), sidebells wintergreen (Orthilia secunda) and western meadow-rue (Thalictrum occidentale).
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition Model
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Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
Community 1.1
Mountain hemlock – subalpine fir/pink mountainheather – black huckleberry/Sitka valerian
Figure 5. Reference Community
Structure: multistory with small gap dynamics Community Phase 1.1 - Reference Community. The dominant overstory species are mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Other common trees species include Alaska yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis), whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). Mountain hemlock and subalpine fir and Pacific silver fir are more susceptible to windthrow than the other overstory species on this site so wind events (as well as pockets of rot) can alter the forest species composition. The ensuing small canopy gaps allow for an increase in the understory of shrubs such as black huckleberry, Sitka mountain-ash, pink mountainheather, Cascade huckleberry and white mountainheather (Cassiope mertensiana) as well as forbs such as Sitka valerian, false hellebore, western meadow-rue and various graminoids.
Community 1.2
Mountan hemlock – subalpine fir/pink mountainheather – black huckleberry/Sitka valerian
Structure: mosaic of mature overstory and regenerating openings. CP 1.2 retains some areas that resemble CP 1.1 but also contains moderate sized (2-5 acres) openings. This spatial pattern would have been caused by pockets of disease or an insect outbreak and while these openings will increase the understory vigor, eventually seedlings from the available seed sources will regenerate and overtop the shrub layer.
Community 1.3
Subalpine fir – mountain hemlock/black huckleberry – Sitka mountain-ash/false hellebore
Structure: single story/shrub CP 1.3 is forestland in regeneration, possibly with scattered remnant mature trees; species composition depends on the natural seed sources present and the intensity of disturbance. The overstory species found on this site are not adapted to survive moderate or severe wildfire so any seeds would have to come from the surrounding unburned areas or from pockets of trees that were not burned. Vaccinium species are adapted to fire and have the ability to resprout following topkill. An outbreak of balsam woolly adelgid would only affect subalpine fir and Pacific silver fir so other species such as mountain hemlock and whitebark pine would likely provide seed for the regenerating forest.
Community 1.4
Subalpine fir – mountain hemlock/black huckleberry – Sitka moutain-ash/Sitka valerian
Structure: single story At the lower elevations, CP 1.4 will be a forest in the competitive exclusion stage, with increasing competition among individuals for available water and nutrients. Canopy closure will near 100%, which leads to a diminished understory, and trees will begin to self thin due to the elevated competition. At higher elevations conditions are harsh enough that this forest has more of an open structure where canopy closure rarely exceeds 70-80%. In these cases the forest continues to mature but the ‘competition’ is with the environment rather than among individuals and the understory is more varied.
Community 1.5
Subalpine fir – mountain hemlock/black huckleberry – pink mountainheather/Sitka valerian
Structure: single story with few small openings CP 1.5 is a maturing forest which is starting to differentiate vertically. Individual trees are dying (whether due to insects, disease, competition or windthrow) allowing some sunlight to reach the forest floor. This allows for an increase in the understory as well as some pockets of overstory tree species regeneration.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway represents a larger disturbance – a wind storm, rot pocket or insect outbreak would create this forest structure. Areas of regeneration would range from approximately 2 to 5 acres.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3
This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance such as a high-intensity fire, large scale wind event or major insect infestation.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This pathway represents growth over time with no further significant disturbance. The areas of regeneration pass through the typical stand phases – competitive exclusion, maturation, understory reinitiation – until they resemble the old-growth structure of the reference community.
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3
This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.4
This pathway represents growth over time with no further major disturbance.
Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.3
This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.
Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.5
This pathway represents continued growth over time with no further major disturbance.
Pathway 1.5A
Community 1.5 to 1.1
This pathway represents no further major disturbance. Continued growth over time, as well as ongoing mortality, leads to continued vertical diversification. The community begins to resemble the structure of the reference community, with small pockets of regeneration and a more diversified understory.
Pathway 1.5B
Community 1.5 to 1.3
This pathway represents a major stand-replacing disturbance leading to the stand initiation phase of forest development.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (in) | Basal area (square ft/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| subalpine fir | ABLA | Abies lasiocarpa | Native | – | – | – | – |
| mountain hemlock | TSME | Tsuga mertensiana | Native | – | – | – | – |
| Alaska cedar | CANO9 | Callitropsis nootkatensis | Native | – | – | – | – |
| whitebark pine | PIAL | Pinus albicaulis | Native | – | – | – | – |
| Pacific silver fir | ABAM | Abies amabilis | Native | – | – | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| green false hellebore | VEVI | Veratrum viride | Native | 1–3 | 5–40 | |
| Sitka valerian | VASI | Valeriana sitchensis | Native | 0.5–2 | 5–35 | |
| sidebells wintergreen | ORSE | Orthilia secunda | Native | 0.5–1 | 1–10 | |
| western meadow-rue | THOC | Thalictrum occidentale | Native | 0.5–1 | 1–10 | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| thinleaf huckleberry | VAME | Vaccinium membranaceum | Native | 1–3 | 5–60 | |
| Sitka mountain ash | SOSIS2 | Sorbus sitchensis var. sitchensis | Native | 1–4 | 5–40 | |
| Cascade bilberry | VADE | Vaccinium deliciosum | Native | 1–3 | 5–40 | |
| pink mountainheath | PHEM | Phyllodoce empetriformis | Native | 0.5–2 | 5–30 | |
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Type Locality Plot ID: 08-TMR-037
Type locality
| Location 1: Chelan County, WA | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T34N R17E S12 |
| UTM zone | N |
| UTM northing | 5371003 |
| UTM easting | 672121 |
| Latitude | 48° 28′ 8″ |
| Longitude | 120° 40′ 24″ |
Other references
Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest forests. Covelo, CA: Island Press. 493 pages.
Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR—2009/211. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 58 pages.
Fire Effects Information System, [Online].
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer).
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/
Henderson, J., R. Lesher, D. Peter, and D. Shaw. 1992. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Technical paper R6-Ecol-TP-028-91.
Miller, Margaret M.; Miller, Joseph W. 1976. Succession after wildfire in the North Cascades National Park complex. In: Proceedings, annual Tall Timbers fire ecology conference: Pacific Northwest; 1974 October 16-17; Portland, OR. No. 15. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station: 71-83. [6574]
Perry, D.A. Forest Ecosystems. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1994. 649 pages.
Pojar, J., and A. MacKinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine,
Vancouver, British Columbia. 528 pages.
Soil Survey Staff. 1999. Soil taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. 2nd edition. Natural Resources Conservation Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 436. http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/taxonomy/
Contributors
Kathryn Smith
Approval
Kirt Walstad, 5/10/2024
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 05/11/2024 |
| Approved by | Kirt Walstad |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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