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CEGL000636 Alnus rhombifolia / Rosa woodsii Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Alder / Woods'' Rose Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is described from data collected in the Snake and Salmon river corridors, within the Blue Mountains ecoregional section. The association is described as occurring on very unstable stream channels within an elevational band of 275-610 m (900-2000 feet), in the deeply incised terrain of the Snake River Canyon. This is a depauperate forest association, dominated by the broad-leaved, deciduous tree Alnus rhombifolia. The canopy is not as dense as other Alnus rhombifolia associations in this region. The shrub layer, also broad-leaved deciduous, is dominated by Rosa woodsii. No other tall-shrub species are present. The herbaceous component of this association is characterized by many species indicative of disturbance. No other information is available on species composition.
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 is a depauperate forest association, dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous tree Alnus rhombifolia. The canopy is not as dense as other Alnus rhombifolia associations in this region. The shrub layer, also broad-leaved deciduous, is dominated by Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana, from 1-2 m tall. No other tall-shrub species are present. An introduced liana, Solanum dulcamara, is usually common in the understory, and colonies of the low, somewhat vining shrub Toxicodendron rydbergii occasionally occur. Information on canopy cover is not available. The herbaceous component of this association is characterized by many species indicative of disturbance. The dominant in the understory, Rosa woodsii, is represented by an ecotype (Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana) typically found along streambanks and other moist places. It is apparently able to adapt quickly to disturbance, but has low shade tolerance and will not dominate in dense Alnus stands . No other information is available on species composition.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found in a mountainous region dissected by major river canyons and tributary streams. There are elevational extremes in this region, from subalpine summits over 2740 m (9000 feet), to canyon bottoms below 610 m (2000 feet). Topography is characterized by precipitous canyon walls along the rivers, steep upland slopes, and smaller tributary streams with cliffs, rocky slopes and mass-wasting features such as slumps and mud-rock flows. The soils of the region are especially prone to erosion and slippage. Slopes often exceed the angle of repose, and periodic severe thunderstorms with intense rains will supersaturate the soil mantle. The resulting slumping and mud-rock flows often deposit materials into stream channels and can destroy streambanks.
The climatic conditions in these deep canyon bottoms are strikingly different from surrounding uplands and mountains. In the canyons, summers are hot and dry, and winters mild, with only limited and ephemeral snows. Precipitation is variable, but generally the higher elevation reaches have higher precipitation. Annual precipitation is approximately 33 cm (13 inches) at 225 m (740 feet), and about 46 cm (18 inches) at 610 m (2000 feet). However, a rainshadow effect occurs farther to the east, in upstream reaches, and annual precipitation is less than 25 cm (10 inches).
This association occurs on riparian sites in canyon bottoms, from 275 to 610 m (900-2000 feet) elevation along the Snake River and its tributaries. It is associated with very poor stream channel stability ratings, indicating it occupies sites frequently disturbed by flooding and deposition of mud-rock flow materials.
The climatic conditions in these deep canyon bottoms are strikingly different from surrounding uplands and mountains. In the canyons, summers are hot and dry, and winters mild, with only limited and ephemeral snows. Precipitation is variable, but generally the higher elevation reaches have higher precipitation. Annual precipitation is approximately 33 cm (13 inches) at 225 m (740 feet), and about 46 cm (18 inches) at 610 m (2000 feet). However, a rainshadow effect occurs farther to the east, in upstream reaches, and annual precipitation is less than 25 cm (10 inches).
This association occurs on riparian sites in canyon bottoms, from 275 to 610 m (900-2000 feet) elevation along the Snake River and its tributaries. It is associated with very poor stream channel stability ratings, indicating it occupies sites frequently disturbed by flooding and deposition of mud-rock flow materials.
Geographic Range: Miller (1976) describes the association as occurring within the Snake River Canyon and along tributary streams.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, ID, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685642
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b Mountain Hemlock - Fir species / Willow species Montane Riparian Woodland Group | G507 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A0306 White Alder Cascadian Riparian Woodland Alliance | A0306 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000636 White Alder / Woods'' Rose Riparian Forest | CEGL000636 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Mancuso, M., and R. Moseley. 1994. Vegetation description, rare plant inventory, and vegetation monitoring for Craig Mountain, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for Bonneville Power Administration. 146 pp.
- Miller, J. R., Jr., and D. K. Halligan. 1976. Some aspects of the snow damage to the Black Hills Forest. 26-27 April 1976. Unpublished report.
- Miller, T. B. 1976. Ecology of riparian communities dominated by white alder in western Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 154 pp.
- Neiman, K. 1987. Inventory of Garden Creek Ranch conducted during summer of 1987. Report to The Nature Conservancy, Sun Valley, Idaho.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.