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Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F043AY533WA
Cool-Frigid, Dry-Xeric, Loamy Mountainsides (Aspen Cool Grass) Populus tremuloides/Calamagrostis rubescens
Last updated: 10/23/2020
Accessed: 08/17/2024
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 043A–Northern Rocky Mountains
Major land resource area (MLRA): 043A-Northern Rocky Mountains
Description of MLRAs can be found in: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
Available electronically at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_053624#handbook
LRU notes
Modal LRU – 43A01 Okanogan Plateau
This LRU is composed predominantly of mid to high elevation mountain slopes. The soils are loamy Xerolls,, Xerands or Xerepts with ashy surfaces. Till from sedimentary or other rock is the dominant parent material. Soil climate is a frigid or cryic temperature regime and xeric moisture regime with average annual precipitation around 470mm (19 inches).
Classification relationships
United States National Vegetation Classification (2019), CEGL000575 Populus tremuloides / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest
Washington Natural Heritage Program. Ecosystems of Washington State, A Guide to Identification, Rocchio and Crawford, 2015 - Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and Woodland
Description of Ecoregions of the United States, USFS PN # 1391, 1995 - M333 Northern Rocky Mt. Forest-Steppe-Coniferous Forest-Alpine Meadow Province
Level III and IV Ecoregions of WA, US EPA, June 2010 –15x Okanogan Highland Dry Forest, 15y Selkirk Mountains.
This ecological site includes the following USDA Forest Service Plant Association: POTR/CARU (Williams et. al. 1983)
Ecological site concept
Ecological Site Concept:
The data below describes the physiographic, climatic and other parameters for the Quaking Aspen/Pinegrass. This vegetation alliance is of limited extent and frequently occurs as an inclusion in more extensive ecological types. Soils are loamy with some influence of volcanic ash in surface layers. A Perched water table is at >25 inches depth and available water holding capacity is moderate to high.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Populus tremuloides |
---|---|
Shrub |
(1) Paxistima myrsinites |
Herbaceous |
(1) Calamagrostis rubescens |
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