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CEGL000673 Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Crataegus douglasii Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood / Black Hawthorn Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This riparian forest association occurs along tributaries to the Grande Ronde River in the foothills zone of the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon. Stands may also occur in the adjacent regions of southeastern Washington and west-central Idaho along the smaller tributaries of the Snake and Grande Ronde rivers. These forests occur in riparian zones of moderate-sized streams and rivers. Soils are derived from stream-deposited alluvium and are shallow and rocky. Depth to the water table is usually less than 60 cm, and during spring averages 18 cm. The vegetation composition and structure of this association are poorly described, but it is apparently structurally diverse. The tree canopy is dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, with the needle-leaved evergreen species Abies grandis and Pinus ponderosa occurring as scattered individuals. There is a tall-shrub layer composed primarily of the broad-leaved deciduous shrubs Crataegus douglasii and Alnus incana, the later primarily along the immediate streambanks. A shorter shrub layer dominated by Rosa woodsii may be present. The herbaceous layer is species-rich and abundant, often with a significant component of introduced species. Common native graminoids include Elymus glaucus and Carex spp.; forbs include Osmorhiza berteroi, Ranunculus acris, Packera pseudaurea, and Claytonia perfoliata. Introduced species often include Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, and Taraxacum officinale. There is typically a cryptogamic layer. Diagnostic of this riparian forest association is the tree canopy dominated by Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa with a Crataegus douglasii-codominated shrub layer. Sites have shallow water tables and are flooded for brief periods during the growing season.
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 composition and structure of this association are poorly described but apparently structurally diverse. The tree canopy is dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (= Populus trichocarpa), with the needle-leaved evergreen species Abies grandis and Pinus ponderosa occurring as scattered individuals (and probably as emergents from the Populus canopy). There is a tall-shrub layer composed primarily of the broad-leaved deciduous shrubs Crataegus douglasii and Alnus incana, the later primarily along the immediate streambanks. A shorter shrub layer dominated by Rosa woodsii may be present. The herbaceous layer is species-rich and abundant, often with a significant component of introduced species. Common native graminoids include Elymus glaucus and Carex spp.; forbs include Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Ranunculus acris, Packera pseudaurea (= Senecio pseudaureus), and Claytonia perfoliata (= Montia perfoliata). There is typically a cryptogamic layer. The introduced grass Poa pratensis and the exotic forb Taraxacum officinale are abundant in the understory of most stands, due to livestock grazing.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The association is found in the foothills zone of a mountainous region which is physiographically part of the Columbia Plateau. Elevational range is unknown, but probably is between 915 and 1525 m (3000-5000 feet). The climate is considered Temperate Continental, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. Marine air masses often move up the Columbia River valley from the Pacific coast and moderate both summer and winter temperatures. Average annual precipitation is from 38-64 cm (15-25 inches), most of which occurs as snow from November to May. This association occurs in riparian zones of moderate-sized streams and rivers. Average discharge along the studied creek (Kauffman et al. 1985) is 119 cfs, with peak flows occurring in late April, May and early June. Peak flows can commonly be more than 500 cfs. Soils are derived from stream-deposited alluvium and are shallow and rocky. Typically an A horizon 15-30 cm deep (occasionally up to 43 cm) is situated over an aerated horizon composed of coarse sands to larger unconsolidated cobbles. Textures of the surface horizon are silty to sandy loams, and organic matter content is high. Sometimes clay balls are interspersed throughout the coarse-textured materials. Depth to the water table is usually less than 60 cm, and during spring averages 18 cm.
Geographic Range: The plant association has been described from the southwestern portion of the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon, along tributaries to the Grande Ronde River. Examples of the association have also been located in eastern Idaho. May also occur in the adjacent regions of southeastern Washington and west-central Idaho, along smaller tributaries of the Snake and Grande Ronde rivers.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684059
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c Northern Rocky Mountain Lowland-Foothill Riparian Forest Group | G796 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A0311 Black Cottonwood Northern Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance | A0311 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000673 Black Cottonwood / Black Hawthorn Riparian Forest | CEGL000673 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus trichocarpa ssp. balsamifera / Crataegus douglasii Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
- 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.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Jankovsky-Jones, M., C. J. Murphy, and C. L. Coulter. 2001. Riparian and wetland plant associations of southwestern Idaho in the Lower Snake River District, Bureau of Land Management. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Kauffman, J. B. 1982. Synecological effects of cattle grazing riparian ecosystems. Unpublished thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 283 pp.
- Kauffman, J. B., W. C. Krueger, and M. Vaura. 1985. Ecology and plant communities of the riparian area associated with Catherine Creek in northeastern Oregon. Technical Bulletin 147. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 35 pp.
- Moseley, R. K., and R. J. Bursik. 1994. Black cottonwood communities of Spion Kop Research Natural Area, Coeur d''Alene, Blaine County, Idaho. Idaho Panhandle NFs/IdCDC Idaho Department of Fish & Game Cooperative Cost Share Project. 14 pp.
- Reid, M. S., L. S. Engelking, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, Western Region. Pages 305-620 in: D. H. Grossman, K. L. Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, an initial survey. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Titus, J. H., M. Kerr, E. Crowe, and B. Kovalchik. 1998. Riparian zones of eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.