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CEGL002487 Populus tremuloides - (Populus grandidentata) Rocky Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - (Bigtooth Aspen) Rocky Woodland
Colloquial Name: Mixed Aspen Rocky Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This aspen rocky woodland type is found in on dry-mesic rocky and sandy sites of the subboreal regions of central Canada and adjacent United States. Stands occur on ridges, with occasional exposed bedrock with shallow soils, or on sandy soils. Exposed bedrock ranges from 5-20%. These sites are rapidly drained. The vegetation contains a tree canopy with a mix of Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera and, occasionally, Populus grandidentata. Percent cover ranges from 20-60%. There is often a subcanopy (usually about 30% cover) containing the species in the canopy as well as Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum and, less commonly, Quercus ellipsoidalis. In the patches of soil that exist between the bedrock outcrops, vegetation can be more forest-like. These areas contain a short-shrub layer of Corylus cornuta and Populus spp. with cover ranging from 20-90%. The herb layer in these patches consists of Aralia nudicaulis, Pteridium aquilinum and Eurybia macrophylla with cover typically in the 60-70% range. The bedrock outcrops often contain a low cover of Vaccinium spp. The herb layer associated with bedrock typically contains Woodsia ilvensis, Schizachne purpurascens and Elymus trachycaulus, with cover usually low (less than 25%). These bedrock areas may also contain a low cover of Pleurozium schreberi and Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis and Cladonia stellaris. Diagnostic features are the canopy of Populus tremuloides, Populus grandidentata, and/or Betula papyrifera, with less than 60% cover and canopy closure prevented by the presence of exposed bedrock.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type concept was initially based on stands that occurred on thin soils over bedrock (Faber-Langendoen et al. 2007), but the concept is expanded to include the entire Minnesota state type concept for Aspen-Birch Woodland (FDn33b). This type is found on Isle Royale, Michigan, but it may not be entirely natural, resulting from fires associated with burning off ridges to expose copper seams that could be mined. The type is expected on rocky soil in southeastern Manitoba, and in Ontario may contain Prunus virginiana. When canopy cover is greater than 60% and canopy closure is not prevented by the presence of exposed bedrock, stands are placed in the Aspen-Birch/Boreal Conifer Forest, ~Populus tremuloides - Betula papyrifera / (Abies balsamea, Picea glauca) Forest (CEGL002466)$$. Some stands intermediate between these two communities exist. If woodland physiognomy is evident and the canopy is a mixture of aspen/birch and other conifers, this type can grade into Northern Pin Oak-Bur Oak-(Jack Pine) Rocky Woodland, ~Quercus ellipsoidalis - Quercus macrocarpa - (Pinus banksiana) Rocky Woodland (CEGL005246)$$, but that type has at least 10% (?) oaks in the canopy. Type is not described from northern Ontario (Sims et al. 1989, but see V5). Types also is related to ~Picea glauca - (Betula papyrifera) / Danthonia spicata Woodland (CEGL005196)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy of this type usually consists of a mix of Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and, occasionally, Populus grandidentata. Percent cover ranges from 20-60%. There is often a subcanopy (usually about 30% cover) containing the species in the canopy as well as Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, and, less commonly, Quercus ellipsoidalis, and more rarely Quercus rubra. In the patches of soil that exist between the bedrock outcrops, vegetation can be more forest-like. These areas contain a short-shrub layer of Corylus cornuta and Diervilla lonicera with cover ranging from 20-90%. The herb layer in these patches consists of Aralia nudicaulis, Pteridium aquilinum, and Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus) with cover typically in the 60-70% range. Achillea millefolium and Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium) occur in these stands, unlike in ~Pinus resinosa - Pinus strobus / Corylus cornuta Forest (CEGL002479)$$. The bedrock outcrops often contain low cover of Vaccinium spp. The herb layer associated with bedrock typically contains Woodsia ilvensis, Schizachne purpurascens, and Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum), with cover usually low (less than 25%). These bedrock areas may also contain low cover of Pleurozium schreberi and Cladonia rangiferina (= Cladina rangiferina), Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis (= Cladina mitis), and Cladonia stellaris (= Cladina stellaris) (M. Smith pers. comm. 1999).
Dynamics: This type may originate after fires or logging, and many stands may not have a natural origin.
Environmental Description: This community occurs on bedrock ridges with shallow soils or on sandy soils. On bedrock, soils range from nonexistent on bedrock openings to 8-12 cm loams or sandy loams in low areas where soil has developed. Slopes are generally gentle (1-10%) with variable aspects. Exposed bedrock ranges from 5-20%. These sites are rapidly drained (M. Smith pers. comm. 1999).
Geographic Range: This type is found on dry-mesic rocky and sandy sites in the hemi-boreal regions of central Canada and adjacent United States, ranging from Minnesota and Manitoba east to Ontario and Michigan.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MI, MN, ON, QC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684258
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.6 Eastern White Pine - Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M159 | 1.B.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.6.c Jack Pine - Red Pine - Black Spruce Subboreal Forest Group | G047 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
| Alliance | A3837 Quaking Aspen - White Spruce Subboreal Rocky Woodland Alliance | A3837 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
| Association | CEGL002487 Quaking Aspen - (Bigtooth Aspen) Rocky Woodland | CEGL002487 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - (Populus grandidentata) Rocky Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., N. Aaseng, K. Hop, M. Lew-Smith, and J. Drake. 2007a. Vegetation classification, mapping, and monitoring at Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota: An application of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. Applied Vegetation Science 10:361-374.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Greenall, J. A. 1996. Manitoba''s terrestrial plant communities. MS Report 96-02. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg.
- Hop, K., D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Lew-Smith, N. Aaseng, and S. Lubinski. [1999]. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. USDI U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI. 210 pp.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- Sims, R. A., W. D. Towill, K. A. Baldwin, and G. M. Wickware. 1989. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. 191 pp.