Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F043CY503OR
Mountain Riparian Forest (PIEN/ALIN)
Last updated: 9/08/2023
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 043C–Blue and Seven Devils Mountains
This MLRA covers the Blue and Seven Devils Mountains of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The area is characterized by thrust and block-faulted mountains and deep canyons composed of sedimentary, metasedimentary, and volcanic rocks. Elevations range from 1,300 to 9,800 feet (395 to 2,990 meters). The climate is characterized by cold, wet winters and cool, dry summers. Annual precipitation, mostly in the form of snow, averages 12 to 43 inches (305 to 1,090 millimeters) yet ranges as high as 82 inches (2,085 millimeters) at upper elevations. Soil temperature regimes are predominately Frigid to Cryic and soil moisture regimes are predominately Xeric to Udic. Mollisols and Andisols are the dominant soil orders. Ecologically, forests dominate but shrub and grass communities may occur on south aspects and lower elevations as well as in alpine meadow environments. Forest composition follows moisture, temperature and elevational gradients and typically ranges from ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir plant associations at lower elevations, grand fir at middle elevations and subalpine fir and Engelman spruce at upper elevations. Historical fire regimes associated with these forest types range from frequent surface fires in ponderosa pine - Douglas Fir forest types to mixed and stand replacing fire regimes in grand fir and subalpine fir types. A large percentage of the MLRA is federally owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service for multiple uses.
Classification relationships
Mid-Montane Wetland Plant Associations of the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests (1997):
Engelmann spruce/arrowleaf groundsel - CEF335 (Modal)
Engelmann spruce/Columbia brome - CEM125
Engelmann spruce/redosier dogwood - CES511
Lodgepole pine/bluejoint reedgrass - CLM117
Mountain alder-currants/mesic forb - SW2217
Subalpine fir/arrowleaf groundsel - CEF333
Plant Assoc. of Wallowa-Snake Province (R6 E 255-86)
Engelmann spruce/common horsetail-twistedstalk - CEM221
Riparian and Wetland Vegetation of Central and Eastern Oregon (2004):
Engelmann spruce/Common horsetail Association - CEGL000363
Engelmann spruce/Mountain alder-Red-osier dogwood Association - CEGL000892
Engelmann spruce/Columbia brome Association – New type
Mountain alder-prickly currant-stinking swamp currant Association - CEGL001151
USDA Forest Service Ecological Sub-region
M332 “Blue Mountains”
U.S. National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Standard
Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry-Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest & Woodland - Group-219
Rocky Mountain Mesic-Wet Subalpine Fir-Engelmann Spruce Forest - Alliance-3614
LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model:
0710560 - Rocky Mountain Subalpine Mesic-Wet Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland
Ecological site concept
This ecological site represents a broad group of plant communities existing in riparian forest environments of the Blue and Wallowa mountains of Oregon and Washington. These communities are typically dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea englemanni) and a diverse understory of facultative and obligate wetland plant species that often includes gray alder (Alnus incana). This site is typically found adjacent to moderate gradient streams in mountain valleys at moderate to high elevations. Deep, mineral soils with subsurfaces often containing a high composition of coarse fragments, typify the soils. Due to the nearby stream courses, high water tables favor plant species that can tolerate saturated soils for at least part of the year. Historically, climatic cycles acting on watershed hydrology would have controlled ecological dynamics and geomorphic processes.
This is a provisional ecological site that groups characteristics at a broad scale with little to no field verification and is subject to extensive review and revision before final approval. All data herein was developed using existing information and literature and should be considered provisional and contingent upon field validation prior to use in conservation planning.
Associated sites
F043CY601OR |
Cold Wet Conifer Mountains and Plateaus (ABLA/VASC-VAME) Adjacent cryic forested landforms out of the hydrologic influence of stream channels |
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R043CY501OR |
Cold Wet Mountain Meadow (CAREX) Adjacent wet meadow areas with low slopes |
F043CY503OR |
Mountain Riparian Forest (PIEN/ALIN) Adjacent moist meadow areas with low slopes |
F043CY605OR |
Cool Moist Conifer Mountains and Plateaus (PSME-PIPO/CARU) Occupying forested areas nearby but out of the hydrologic influence of stream channels |
F043CY603OR |
Cool Wet Conifer Mountains and Plateaus (ABGR/VAME/LIBO) Occupying forested areas, at times on upper terrace positions nearby |
Similar sites
R043CY501OR |
Cold Wet Mountain Meadow (CAREX) Very low to low valley gradient, low energy soils |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Picea engelmannii |
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Shrub |
(1) Alnus incana |
Herbaceous |
Not specified |
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
T1.1 | - | Exotic plant invasion |
---|---|---|
T2.1 | - | Hydrologic alteration |
R3.1 | - | Restoration of hydrologic/biotic processes |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
P1.1A | - | Severe fire, disease, windthrow or insects |
---|---|---|
P1.1B | - | Insects, disease or windthrow |
P1.2A | - | Time without major disturbance |
P1.2B | - | Catastrophic flood |
P1.3A | - | Time without major disturbance |
P1.3B | - | Severe fire, disease, windthrow or insects |
P1.4B | - | Extended time elapses |