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CEGL000535 Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Blue Spruce Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This successional, mixed aspen-conifer forest occurs in the montane forest zone in Colorado and Utah from 2260 to 2775 m (7400-9100 feet) in elevation. This association represents the successional stage where Picea pungens has converted the formerly deciduous canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides to a mixed conifer-deciduous canopy. This forest association occurs on moderately steep mid and low slopes on various aspects and soils. The tree canopy of this association is codominated by Populus tremuloides with at least 10% cover of Picea pungens. Other conifer trees may be present in canopy, but mixed stands must have at least 25% relative tree cover of both aspen (deciduous) and conifers. Understory growth (both shrub and herb layers) tends to be sparse. The most frequently occurring shrub species are Juniperus communis and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Rosa woodsii and Lonicera involucrata occasionally occur. Low-growing herbs are most common and include Bromus anomalus, Fragaria vesca, Achillea millefolium, Thermopsis divaricarpa, and Galium boreale. Poa pratensis and Taraxacum officinale are also common. The diagnostic characteristic of this association is the mixed Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens tree canopy.
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 tree canopy of this association is codominated by Populus tremuloides with at least 10% cover of Picea pungens. Other conifer trees may be present in the canopy, but mixed stands must have at least 25% relative tree cover of both aspen (deciduous) and conifers. Understory growth (both shrub and herb layers) tends to be sparse. The most frequently occurring shrub species are Juniperus communis and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Rosa woodsii and Lonicera involucrata occasionally occur. Low-growing herbs are most common and include Bromus anomalus, Fragaria vesca, Achillea millefolium, Thermopsis divaricarpa, and Galium boreale. Poa pratensis and Taraxacum officinale are also common. The diagnostic characteristic of this association is the mixed Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens tree canopy.
Dynamics: This association represents the successional stage where Picea pungens has converted the formerly deciduous canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides to a mixed conifer-deciduous canopy.
Environmental Description: This successional, mixed aspen-conifer forest occurs in the montane forest zone in Colorado and Utah from 2300 to 2800 m (7400-9100 feet) in elevation. This forest association occurs on moderately steep mid and low slopes on various aspects and soils.
Geographic Range: This successional, mixed aspen-conifer forest occurs in the montane forest zone in Colorado and Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684604
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d White Fir - Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Mesic Southern Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G225 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Alliance | A0165 Blue Spruce Southern Rocky Mountain Mesic Forest Alliance | A0165 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000535 Quaking Aspen - Blue Spruce Forest | CEGL000535 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens Cover Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides - Picea pungens Cover Type (Mueggler 1988)
- Baker, W. L. 1984a. A preliminary classification of the natural vegetation of Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 44(4):647-676.
- 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.
- 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.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.