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CEGL000567 Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a multi-layered deciduous forest that occurs at relatively low elevations in the Rocky Mountains. Most of the stands occur at less than 2135 m (7000 feet) elevation. Elevation range is 1680 to 2517 m (5500-8257 feet). It occurs on any aspect but can favor southerly and westerly aspects, on moderate to very steep slopes. The tree layer consists almost exclusively of Populus tremuloides. Conifers can be present in small amounts. The undergrowth is multi-structured. A tall-shrub stratum exists that is usually dominated by Amelanchier alnifolia or Prunus virginiana. Occasionally Acer grandidentatum is abundant. This layer may be broken or ill-defined but generally exceeds 10% cover. The low-shrub stratum is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus or Symphoricarpos albus. Occasionally Paxistima myrsinites or Spiraea betulifolia can be abundant. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Calamagrostis rubescens and sometimes Carex geyeri. Other herbs present include Elymus glaucus, Lupinus spp., Galium boreale, and Geranium viscosissimum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Compare this association to ~Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana Forest (CEGL000596)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a very lush, multi-layered deciduous forest. The tree layer consists almost exclusively of Populus tremuloides. Conifers, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii, can be present in small amounts. The undergrowth is multi-structured. A tall-shrub stratum exists that is usually dominated by Amelanchier alnifolia or Prunus virginiana. Occasionally Acer grandidentatum is abundant. This layer may be broken or ill-defined but generally exceeds 10% cover. The low-shrub stratum is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus or Symphoricarpos albus. Frequently Paxistima myrsinites and occasionally Spiraea betulifolia are abundant. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Calamagrostis rubescens and sometimes Carex geyeri. Other herbs present include Elymus glaucus, Lupinus spp., Galium boreale, and Geranium viscosissimum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This is a major aspen association, making up 22% of the aspen communities on the Targhee National Forest and 15% of those on the Caribou National Forest. It is known from Grand Teton National Park, northern Utah, Idaho, and western Colorado. It is a lush and relatively low-elevation type; most of the stands occur at less than 2100 m (7000 feet) elevation. Elevation range is 1675 to 2517 m (5500-8257 feet). It occurs on any aspect but can favor southerly and westerly aspects, on moderate to very steep slopes (3-27°). It can occur in isolated clumps in moist depressions surrounded by Artemisia - Symphoricarpos meadows, or surrounded by aspen, conifer or mixed aspen-conifer forests. The soils are moderately well- to well-drained loams or moderately well-drained silty clay loams, mostly derived from sandstone.
Geographic Range: This association is known from eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, northern Utah, western Colorado, and southwestern Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, MT, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685181
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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 | CEGL000567 Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest | CEGL000567 | 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 / Amelanchier alnifolia - Paxistima myrsinites Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) ["All of the stands are placed in this type."]
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) ["All of the stands are placed in this type."]
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
>< Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) ["Most of the stands are placed in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983) ["A small number of stands included in this habitat type reported ...for the White River NF ...fit this description."]
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) ["All of the stands are placed in this type."]
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
>< Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) ["Most of the stands are placed in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Most of the stands are now in this type."]
>< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983) ["A small number of stands included in this habitat type reported ...for the White River NF ...fit this description."]
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Hoffman, G. R., and R. R. Alexander. 1983. Forest vegetation of the White River National Forest in western Colorado: A habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-249. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 36 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. 1982. Aspen community types on the Caribou and Targhee national forests in southeastern Idaho. Research Paper INT-294. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 32 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., and W. F. Mueggler. 1981. Aspen community types on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. Research Paper INT-272. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 34 pp.