Print Report
CEGL000613 Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex rossii Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Ross'' Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is documented from high plateaus in Utah and Colorado and is reported to occur in the mountains of northwestern Wyoming and central Nevada. Elevations range from 1860 m to more than 2600 m (6100-8530 feet). Slopes are gentle to moderate and sites occur on all aspects. Soils vary in texture but are often rocky and may be derived from granite, sandstone, limestone or volcanics. The canopy consists of moderately closed to closed stands of Populus tremuloides, although stands will occasionally contain Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies concolor, or Abies lasiocarpa, indicating that some stands may eventually convert to coniferous forests. The shrub layer consists primarily of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, although minor amounts of Amelanchier utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Artemisia tridentata, Rosa woodsii, Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites may be present. In addition to the generally dominant Carex rossii, the herbaceous understory may contain Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus anomalus, Elymus trachycaulus, Poa pratensis, Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Arnica cordifolia, and Lupinus argenteus. This association is generally a climax type, not usually subject to replacement by coniferous species. Overgrazing converts the understory to dominance by Poa pratensis, Elymus elymoides, Astragalus miser, Taraxacum officinale, and Achillea millefolium.
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: This infrequent aspen forest type occurs throughout the southern Rocky Mountains and into the Great Basin. The canopy consists of moderately closed to closed stands of Populus tremuloides, although stands will occasionally contain Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies concolor, or Abies lasiocarpa, indicating that some stands may eventually convert to coniferous forests. The shrub layer consists primarily of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, although minor amounts of Amelanchier utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Artemisia tridentata, Rosa woodsii, Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites may be present. In addition to the generally dominant Carex rossii, the herbaceous understory may contain Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus anomalus, Elymus trachycaulus, Poa pratensis, Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Arnica cordifolia, and Lupinus argenteus.
Dynamics: This association is generally a climax type, not usually subject to replacement by coniferous species. Overgrazing converts the understory to dominance by Poa pratensis, Elymus elymoides, Astragalus miser, Taraxacum officinale, and Achillea millefolium.
Environmental Description: This association is documented from high plateaus in Utah and Colorado and is reported to occur in the mountains of northwestern Wyoming and central Nevada. Elevations range from 1860 m to more than 2600 m (6100-8530 feet). Slopes are gentle to moderate, may be rocky, and sites occur on all aspects. Soils vary in texture and may be derived from granite, sandstone, limestone or volcanics.
Geographic Range: This association occurs on high plateaus in Utah and Colorado. It is also reported to occur in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming and the Monitor Range in Nevada (Mueggler 1988).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID?, NV, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684241
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | CEGL000613 Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Ross'' Sedge Forest | CEGL000613 | 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 / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex rossii Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex rossii 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.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.