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CEGL000533 Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Tall Forbs Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Subalpine Fir / Tall Forbs Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a common aspen forest association in western Wyoming, and it also occurs in Utah and Idaho. It occurs from 2015 to 3110 m (6600-10,200 feet) in elevation. It often occurs on northerly or easterly exposures on moderately steep slopes. Soils were often derived from sandstone or limestone parent materials, but it is not restricted to those substrates. The upper canopy is dominated by Populus tremuloides, with a significant amount of conifers present, generally at least 10% cover, commonly Abies lasiocarpa, but Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii can be present as well. There is no defined shrub layer, although shrub species are often present, such as Amelanchier alnifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Ribes montigenum. The herbaceous layer is abundant and rich. Commonly encountered tall forbs include Rudbeckia occidentalis, Eucephalus engelmannii, Valeriana occidentalis, Delphinium x occidentale, Heracleum maximum, and Osmorhiza occidentalis. There are often many low-stature forbs as well, including Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium spp., Osmorhiza berteroi, and Pseudostellaria jamesiana. This type is distinguished from similar aspen forests by the combination of conifers with aspen in the overstory, the lack of a distinct shrub layer (tall or dwarf), and abundant tall forbs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The upper canopy is dominated by Populus tremuloides, with a significant amount of conifers present, generally at least 10% cover, commonly Abies lasiocarpa, but Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii can be present as well. There is no defined shrub layer, although shrub species are often present, such as Amelanchier alnifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Ribes montigenum. The herbaceous layer is abundant and rich. Commonly encountered tall forbs include Rudbeckia occidentalis, Eucephalus engelmannii (= Aster engelmannii), Valeriana occidentalis, Delphinium x occidentale, Heracleum maximum, and Osmorhiza occidentalis. There are often many low-stature forbs as well, including Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium spp., Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Pseudostellaria jamesiana (= Stellaria jamesiana). Graminoids are also commonly present and abundant and include Calamagrostis rubescens, Bromus carinatus, Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum), and Poa nervosa. This type is distinguished from similar aspen forests by the combination of conifers with aspen in the overstory, the lack of a distinct shrub layer (tall or dwarf), and abundant tall forbs.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It occurs from 2000 to 3100 m (6600-10,200 feet) in elevation. It often occurs on northerly or easterly exposures on moderately steep slopes. Soils were often derived from sandstone or limestone parent materials, but it is not restricted to those substrates. Soils textures are often loams.
Geographic Range: This association is known from western Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683327
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Mountain Hemlock Moist Forest & Woodland Group | G218 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Alliance | A0422 Subalpine Fir - Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A0422 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL000533 Quaking Aspen - Subalpine Fir / Tall Forbs Forest | CEGL000533 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Tall Forb Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Mueggler, W. F. 1988. Aspen community types of the Intermountain Region. General Technical Report INT-250. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp.
- Mueggler, W. F., and R. B. Campbell, Jr. 1986. Aspen community types of Utah. Research Paper INT-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Tendick, A., B. Friesen, G. Kittel, P. Williams, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Cedar Breaks National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/470. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.