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CEGL008693 Alnus rhombifolia / Sierran Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Alder / Sierran Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. It is likely that this association ranges throughout the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Stands are found at low to mid elevations (1340-1525 m [4400-5000 feet]) on concave, hummocky and undulating, southeast- to north-facing, flat to moderately steep (0-20%) slopes. These sites tend to be along drainages, floodplains or streambeds that are intermittently flooded to permanently flooded. In general, Alnus rhombifolia stands require permanent moisture, whether subterranean or on the surface. In intermittently flooded streams, the stands are associated most regularly with deeper pools or short stretches of more permanently flooded substrate. Soils are generally rocky with textures ranging from sand to sandy loam and of granitic parent material. Soil is somewhat poorly to rapidly draining. Disturbance is low to medium. Stands are found forming an intermittent to continuous canopy. The shrub layer is open to continuous and the herb layer is open. This association is dominated by Alnus rhombifolia in narrow bands often associated with perennial steams. Calocedrus decurrens is often an important codominant tree. Cornus nuttallii and Abies lowiana are usually present. Other species that may be found in this association include Adenocaulon bicolor, Rubus parviflorus, Claytonia perfoliata, Galium aparine, Pteridium aquilinum, Athyrium filix-femina, and Boykinia major. Dryopteris arguta may be common at some sites. Carex tompkinsii is a rare species that may be found in this association.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Don Potter (pers. comm. 2002) has about 71 plots resembling this association collected from the Moculumne River to Lake Isabella but has not described them. Potter (2000) describes an Alnus rhombifolia / Darmera peltata association that is largely found north of the mapping area. This association is similar to the one currently described locally, without the constant characteristic species Darmera peltata.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are found forming an intermittent to continuous canopy. The shrub layer is open to continuous and the herb layer is open. This association is dominated by Alnus rhombifolia in narrow bands often associated with perennial steams. Calocedrus decurrens is often an important codominant tree. Cornus nuttallii and Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) are usually present. Other species that may be found in this association include Adenocaulon bicolor, Rubus parviflorus, Claytonia perfoliata (= Montia perfoliata), Galium aparine, Pteridium aquilinum, Athyrium filix-femina, and Boykinia major. Dryopteris arguta may be common at some sites. Carex tompkinsii is a rare species that may be found in this association.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found at low to mid elevations (1340-1525 m [4400-5000 feet]) on concave, hummocky and undulating, southeast- to north-facing, flat to moderately steep (0-20%) slopes. These sites tend to be along drainages, floodplains or streambeds that are intermittently flooded to permanently flooded. In general, Alnus rhombifolia stands require permanent moisture, whether subterranean or on the surface. In intermittently flooded streams, the stands are associated most regularly with deeper pools or short stretches of more permanently flooded substrate. Soils are generally rocky with textures ranging from sand to sandy loam and of granitic parent material. Soil is somewhat poorly to rapidly draining. Disturbance is low to medium.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from Yosemite. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. It likely ranges throughout the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683847
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.d Sitka Spruce - Black Cottonwood - Oregon Ash Lowland Riparian Forest Group | G851 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.d |
| Alliance | A3777 White Alder Riparian Forest Alliance | A3777 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.d |
| Association | CEGL008693 White Alder / Sierran Riparian Forest | CEGL008693 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alnus rhombifolia (Potter 2000)
= Alnus rhombifolia (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.420.10]
= Alnus rhombifolia Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Alnus rhombifolia (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.420.10]
= Alnus rhombifolia Forest (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2001. Inventory of rare and endangered plants of California (sixth edition). D. P. Tibor, convening editor, Rare Plant Scientific Advisory Committee. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 388 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Potter, D. A. 2000. Riparian community type classification for the west slope central and southern Sierra Nevada, California. Unpublished manuscript available from D. Potter, Stanislaus National Forest, Sonora, CA.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.