Print Report

CEGL000619 Populus tremuloides / Thalictrum fendleri Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Fendler''s Meadowrue Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This infrequent forest association is known from Idaho, western Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and north-central New Mexico. It occurs on sheltered sites, swales, benches and lower slopes, or on sideslopes of canyons. Soils are variable and include silty loam, silty clay loam, gravelly and loamy Mollisols, or less-developed gravelly Inceptisols derived from latite, dactite, or rhyolitic tuff. Soil depth ranges from moderately deep to deep, and moisture varies from well-drained to moist. Slopes are moderate to steep (17-45%), straight to concave, and occur on all aspects. The ground surface is characterized by scattered bunches of grasses and sedges intermixed with litter and some exposed soil and rock. Elevation ranges from 1737 to 3414 m (5700-11,200 feet). The vegetation is essentially two-layered: a tree stratum usually of only Populus tremuloides and a low-herb stratum. In this tall subalpine deciduous forest, tree canopies are closed (>65% cover) and dominated by Populus tremuloides. An occasional conifer, usually Abies lasiocarpa but sometimes Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus contorta, may be present. While seedlings and saplings of Abies concolor and/or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be common to well-represented, mature trees are scattered. Populus tremuloides regeneration may also be present in the understory of these stands. Shrub occurrence in the understory is variable; shrub species may include Mahonia repens, Physocarpus monogynus, Robinia neomexicana, Rosa woodsii, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. A diverse and moderately high herbaceous cover is characteristic. The herbaceous layer is usually abundant and rich in forbs. On mesic sites, forb species commonly include Erigeron eximius, Fragaria vesca, Fragaria virginiana, Geranium richardsonii, Geranium viscosissimum, Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi, and Thalictrum fendleri. Other forbs frequently present in substantial amounts include Achillea millefolium, Fragaria vesca, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus argenteus, and Vicia americana. Graminoids, including Bromus anomalus, Bromus carinatus, Carex siccata, and Elymus glaucus, may be common. This association is characterized by the lack of conifers and the lack of a distinct shrub layer, the absence of substantial amounts of Carex geyeri or Calamagrostis rubescens, and the prominence of Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, or Osmorhiza berteroi.

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 vegetation is essentially two-layered: a tree stratum usually of only Populus tremuloides and a low-herb stratum. In this tall subalpine deciduous forest, tree canopies are closed (>65% cover) and dominated by Populus tremuloides. An occasional conifer, usually Abies lasiocarpa but sometimes Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus contorta, may be present. While seedlings and saplings of Abies concolor and/or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be common to well-represented, mature trees are scattered. Populus tremuloides regeneration may also be present in the understory of these stands. Shrub occurrence in the understory is variable; shrub species may include Mahonia repens (= Berberis repens), Physocarpus monogynus, Robinia neomexicana, Rosa woodsii, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. A diverse and moderately high herbaceous cover is characteristic. The herbaceous layer is usually abundant and rich in forbs. On mesic sites, forb species commonly include Erigeron eximius, Fragaria vesca, Fragaria virginiana, Geranium richardsonii, Geranium viscosissimum, Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Thalictrum fendleri. Other forbs frequently present in substantial amounts include Achillea millefolium, Fragaria vesca, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus leucanthus), Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus argenteus, and Vicia americana. Graminoids, including Bromus anomalus, Bromus carinatus, Carex siccata and Elymus glaucus, may be common. This association is characterized by the lack of conifers and the lack of a distinct shrub layer, the absence of substantial amounts of Carex geyeri or Calamagrostis rubescens, and the prominence of Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, or Osmorhiza berteroi.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This forested association occurs on sheltered sites, swales, benches and lower slopes, or on sideslopes of canyons. Soils are variable and include silty loam, silty clay loam, gravelly and loamy Mollisols, or less-developed gravelly Inceptisols derived from latite, dactite, or rhyolitic tuff. Soil depth ranges from moderately deep to deep, and moisture varies from well-drained to moist. Slopes are moderate to steep (17-45%), straight to concave, and occur on all aspects. The ground surface is characterized by scattered bunches of grasses and sedges intermixed with litter and some exposed soil and rock. Elevation ranges from 1737 to 3414 m (5700-11,200 feet).
Geographic Range: This in an infrequent forest association known from Idaho, western Wyoming, Utah, north-central New Mexico, and Colorado, and possibly California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA?, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.d Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group G222 1.B.2.Nb.5.d
Alliance A2036 Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance A2036 1.B.2.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL000619 Quaking Aspen / Fendler''s Meadowrue Forest CEGL000619 1.B.2.Nb.5.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides / Erigeron eximius Cover Type (Balice et al. 1997)
= Populus tremuloides / Thalictrum fendleri Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: G. Kittel and K.S. King

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-25-09
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