Abies lasiocarpa/Paxistima myrsinites/Erigeron eximius

Description

The absence or minor occurrence of Vaccinium spp. suggests a moister nature and generally warmer than normal temperature for the subalpine fir series. On cooler and drier sites it joins. Vaccinium dominated sites. It intergrades with the white fir/sprucefir fleabane at lower elevations. Often the type occurs in frost pockets within the elevational range of white fir sites. Such frost pockets favor growth of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce.

Fire has played a major role for this site and extensive aspen stands now occur within it. The undergrowth in these aspen communities is rich in forbs. Among the subalpine forest sites, overgrazing tends to occur most frequently on this site. Kentucky bluegrass sod may develop on this site in response to heavy livestock grazing. Large volumes of browse for elk and deer are produced.

As with most of the subalpine fir sites, high precipitation and snowpack accumulation give this habitat type a high watershed value. Timber productivity ranges from moderate to high. The presence of Douglas fir as an important seral tree (minor climax in some areas) provides flexibility for timber management and opportunities for developing mixed species stands.

Douglas fir, aspen, and white fir generally occur as seral trees within this site. When blueberries are present, they are minor relative to sprucefir fleabane.

Submodel