Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Biogeoclimatic zone (ESSF)



Ecoregions: Eastern slopes of Coast mountains, southern interior mountains, and the sub-boreal interior
Elevations: SW - 1200-2100m, SE - 1500-2300m, N - 900-1700m
Latitudes: 49-57 degrees
 
Description:
  • The common sub-alpine zone in the southern interior
  • At lower elevations, grades into IDF and ICH in the southern interior and into the IDF, SBS and SBPS in the sub-boreal interior. Grades into AT at higher elevations in all areas
  • Severe climate characterized by a long cold winter and a short cool summer
  • Only trees that can survive long periods of frozen ground occur
  • Engelmann spruce and sub-alpine fir dominate wetter areas, with lodgepole pine as a poineer after disturbance and mountain hemlock in higher snowfall areas
  • Whitebark pine and limber pine occur on drier sites
  • White rhododendron and false azalea are common understorey plants
Representative Species:
Drier phase
 

Trees

  Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
  Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir)
  Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine)
  Pinus albicaulis (Whitebark pine)
  Larix lyalli (Alpine larch)
 

Shrubs

  Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)
  Vaccinium membranaceum (black huckleberry)
  Juniperus communis (common juniper)
 

Herbs

  Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)
  Hieracium albiflorum (white-flowered hawkweed)
 
Wetter Phase
 

Trees

  Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
  Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir)
 

Shrubs

  Vaccinium spp. (Blueberries and grouseberries)
  Rhododendrum albiflorum (white rhododendrum)
  Menziesia feruginea (false azalea)
 

Herbs

  Tiarella unifolia (one-leafed foam flower)
  Valeriana sitchensis (Sitka valerian)
 
Potential Restoration Species:
Drier phase
 

Trees

  Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
  Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir)
  Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine)
  Pinus albicaulis (Whitebark pine)
  Larix lyalli (Alpine larch)
 

Shrubs

  Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)
  Vaccinium membranaceum (black huckleberry)
  Juniperus communis (common juniper)
  Alnus crispa spp. sinuata (thinfleaf alder)
 

Herbs

  Cassiope mertensiana (white mtn. heather)
  Cassiope tetragona (four-angled mtn. heather)
  Festuca altaica (Altai fescue)
 
Wetter Phase
 

Trees

  Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
  Abies lasiocarpa (Subalpine fir)
 

Shrubs

  Vaccinium spp. (Blueberries and grouseberries)
  Alnus incarta spp. tenuifolia (Mountain alder)
 

Herbs

  Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)
  Dryopteris expansa (Spiny wood fern)
  Erigeron peregrinus (subalpine daisy)
  Heracleum lanatum (cow parsley)
  Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)
  Valeriana sitchensis (Sitka valerian)
  Lupinus arcticus (Arctic lupine)
  Tiarella trifoliata (foam flower)
 
Meidinger, D. and Pojar, J. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. 330 pp. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Srs/SRseries.htm