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CEGL000597 Populus tremuloides / Pteridium aquilinum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Western Brackenfern Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Populus tremuloides forest association is found in the central and southern Rocky Mountains and in the Black Hills. It occurs on moist, concave or flat drainages with intermittent or perennial streams or in areas of poor soil drainage or a high water table. Some sites are frost pockets with cold-air drainage. This forest type occurs on mid- and low slopes with gentle to steep pitch (12-49% slope) with variable aspect from 1585 to 2850 m (5200-9350 feet) in elevation. Soils tend to be deep and loamy. This deciduous forest is characterized by a moderately dense to dense canopy solely dominated by Populus tremuloides with the understory dominated by Pteridium aquilinum. Conifers such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii may occur sporadically in the tree canopy with low cover. These trees are incidental and in areas where adjacent associations are conifer-dominated. This forest type typically lacks a well-developed shrub component, although some stands may have a moderately dense short-shrub layer. Moderate cover to scattered individuals of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Symphoricarpos albus, Sambucus racemosa, Ribes inerme, Amelanchier alnifolia, Corylus cornuta, or Prunus virginiana may be present. The herbaceous layer is characterized by dominance of Pteridium aquilinum (30-80%). Other important herbs include Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii, Fragaria spp., Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Mertensia ciliata, Osmorhiza depauperata, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Rudbeckia occidentalis, Senecio serra, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana, among others. Carex geyeri is common in Colorado.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is equivalent to the Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Pteridium aquilinum association of Severson and Thilenius (1976), the Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum habitat type of Steinauer (1981), and the Pteridium aquilinum phase of the Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta habitat type of Hoffman and Alexander (1987). Komarkova et al. (1988b) considered stands of the Pteridium aquilinum phase of the Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta habitat type of Hoffman and Alexander (1987) from the Black Hills to be a different plant community because understory composition appears unrelated to the Rocky Mountain stands. However, it is included here until further classification work because these stands share dominant species.
Classification of aspen communities in the Black Hills remains incomplete and problematic. Aspen stands in the area are highly variable in composition (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Marriott et al. 1999), consistent with the concept of aspen as an early successional dominant species. The community described here and ~Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta Forest (CEGL000583)$$ are two of the more consistent and distinctive types. A third more variable and drier type, ~Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Forest (CEGL000607)$$, also has been recognized (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Marriott et al. 1999). However, there are stands in the Black Hills that do not fit into any of these associations. For example, at higher elevations on the Limestone Plateau, aspen stands are common between Black Hills Montane Grasslands in broad drainage bottoms and conifer stands on slopes above. Little survey of these stands has been done, and they remain unclassified to association. In such stands seen during the Black Hills Community Inventory, Pteridium aquilinum was absent. Aspen also can contribute significant cover in stands of white spruce (Picea glauca) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), representing successional stages from aspen to spruce and pine forest types. In the Black Hills Community Inventory, such stands were treated as inclusions in the surrounding coniferous forest type.
Classification of aspen communities in the Black Hills remains incomplete and problematic. Aspen stands in the area are highly variable in composition (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Marriott et al. 1999), consistent with the concept of aspen as an early successional dominant species. The community described here and ~Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta Forest (CEGL000583)$$ are two of the more consistent and distinctive types. A third more variable and drier type, ~Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Forest (CEGL000607)$$, also has been recognized (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Marriott et al. 1999). However, there are stands in the Black Hills that do not fit into any of these associations. For example, at higher elevations on the Limestone Plateau, aspen stands are common between Black Hills Montane Grasslands in broad drainage bottoms and conifer stands on slopes above. Little survey of these stands has been done, and they remain unclassified to association. In such stands seen during the Black Hills Community Inventory, Pteridium aquilinum was absent. Aspen also can contribute significant cover in stands of white spruce (Picea glauca) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), representing successional stages from aspen to spruce and pine forest types. In the Black Hills Community Inventory, such stands were treated as inclusions in the surrounding coniferous forest type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This deciduous forest is characterized by a moderately dense to dense canopy solely dominated by Populus tremuloides with the understory dominated by Pteridium aquilinum. Conifers such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii may occur sporadically in the tree canopy with low cover. These trees are incidental and in areas where adjacent associations are conifer-dominated. This forest type typically lacks a well-developed shrub component, although some stands may have a moderately dense short-shrub layer. Moderate cover to scattered individuals of Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Symphoricarpos albus, Sambucus racemosa, Ribes inerme, Amelanchier alnifolia, Corylus cornuta, or Prunus virginiana may be present. The herbaceous layer is characterized by dominance of Pteridium aquilinum (30-80%) (Hoffman and Alexander 1980, 1983, Komarkova et al. 1988b, Mueggler 1988). Other important herbs include Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii (= Aster engelmannii), Fragaria spp., Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus leucanthus), Mertensia ciliata, Osmorhiza depauperata, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Rudbeckia occidentalis, Senecio serra, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana, among others. Carex geyeri is common in Colorado (Hoffman and Alexander 1980, Komarkova et al. 1988b).
In the Black Hills, this community can have a moderately closed to closed canopy (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Steinauer 1981, Hoffman and Alexander 1987, Marriott et al. 1999). Populus tremuloides is the dominant tree. Picea glauca or Pinus ponderosa may occur in this community as emergent trees. Shrub coverage is typically sparse, and herbaceous cover is high, often greater than 50%. Only Pteridium aquilinum has been found to be consistent and abundant in the understory in stands of this type, with coverage often greater than 50%. The shrub and herbaceous strata are otherwise variable. Among the more commonly found species are Corylus cornuta, Amelanchier alnifolia, Melica subulata, Anaphalis margaritacea, and Pyrola elliptica (Marriott and Faber-Langendoen 2000).
In the Black Hills, this community can have a moderately closed to closed canopy (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Steinauer 1981, Hoffman and Alexander 1987, Marriott et al. 1999). Populus tremuloides is the dominant tree. Picea glauca or Pinus ponderosa may occur in this community as emergent trees. Shrub coverage is typically sparse, and herbaceous cover is high, often greater than 50%. Only Pteridium aquilinum has been found to be consistent and abundant in the understory in stands of this type, with coverage often greater than 50%. The shrub and herbaceous strata are otherwise variable. Among the more commonly found species are Corylus cornuta, Amelanchier alnifolia, Melica subulata, Anaphalis margaritacea, and Pyrola elliptica (Marriott and Faber-Langendoen 2000).
Dynamics: Both Populus tremuloides and Pteridium aquilinum establish readily after fire and may persist for some time (Hoffman and Alexander 1983, Komarkova et al. 1988b). In the Black Hills, some of these Populus tremuloides stands are nearly 100 years old, with Pteridium aquilinum still vigorous and dominant (Hoffman and Alexander 1987). It has been suggested that Pteridium aquilinum abundance can result from heavy grazing; Pteridium aquilinum itself is unpalatable, and heavy grazing can reduce or eliminate palatable species associated in the herbaceous layer (e.g., Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, Eucephalus engelmannii). This type is considered to be a stable climax association on mesic bottomlands by Komarkova (1986) and Powell (1988a), who described it as a "topoedaphic climax."
Environmental Description: This Populus tremuloides forest association is found in the central and southern Rocky Mountains and in the Black Hills, where it occurs on moist, concave or flat drainages with intermittent or perennial streams or in areas of poor soil drainage or a high water table. Some sites are frost pockets with cold-air drainage. This forest type occurs on mid- and low slopes with gentle to steep pitch (12-49% slope) with variable aspect from 1585 to 2850 m (5200-9350 feet) in elevation (Hoffman and Alexander 1980, 1983, Mueggler 1988). Soils tend to be deep and loamy.
In the Black Hills, this community has been found on flat to gently sloping or rolling topography with variable aspect (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Steinauer 1981, Hoffman and Alexander 1987, Marriott et al. 1999). Documented sites range in elevation from 1600 to 1740 m (5200-5700 feet). This community is most extensive in the wetter, cooler northern Black Hills, including the Bear Lodge Mountains. It has been found in areas underlain by a variety of bedrock, including Tertiary intrusive rocks, limestone and sandstone (Marriott and Faber-Langendoen 2000).
In the Black Hills, this community has been found on flat to gently sloping or rolling topography with variable aspect (Severson and Thilenius 1976, Steinauer 1981, Hoffman and Alexander 1987, Marriott et al. 1999). Documented sites range in elevation from 1600 to 1740 m (5200-5700 feet). This community is most extensive in the wetter, cooler northern Black Hills, including the Bear Lodge Mountains. It has been found in areas underlain by a variety of bedrock, including Tertiary intrusive rocks, limestone and sandstone (Marriott and Faber-Langendoen 2000).
Geographic Range: This type is found in the southern and central Rocky Mountain and Black Hills of the United States, extending from Colorado and Utah northward to South Dakota.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, SD, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686163
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | CEGL000597 Quaking Aspen / Western Brackenfern Forest | CEGL000597 | 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 - Pteridium aquilinum Community Type (Powell 1988a)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Steinauer 1981)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum ssp. lanuginosum Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta Habitat Type, Pteridium aquilinum Phase (Hoffman and Alexander 1987) [Of three plots, cover of Corylus cornuta ranged from low to moderate(<5%, 28%, 47%) in open to moderately dense mixed shrub layers. All plots had high cover of Pteridium aquilinum (23-33%), that dominated the herbaceous layer, which is diagnostic. However, Komarkova et al. (1988) considered it a different community because of composition of understory appears unrelated to the Rocky Mountain stands.]
= Populus tremuloides / Pteridium aquilinum Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
>< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Pteridium aquilinum Association (Severson and Thilenius 1976) [There is typically an open shrub layer dominated by Symphoricarpos albus, but Pteridium aquilinum dominates the understory.]
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988b)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Steinauer 1981)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Populus tremuloides - Pteridium aquilinum ssp. lanuginosum Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta Habitat Type, Pteridium aquilinum Phase (Hoffman and Alexander 1987) [Of three plots, cover of Corylus cornuta ranged from low to moderate(<5%, 28%, 47%) in open to moderately dense mixed shrub layers. All plots had high cover of Pteridium aquilinum (23-33%), that dominated the herbaceous layer, which is diagnostic. However, Komarkova et al. (1988) considered it a different community because of composition of understory appears unrelated to the Rocky Mountain stands.]
= Populus tremuloides / Pteridium aquilinum Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
>< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Pteridium aquilinum Association (Severson and Thilenius 1976) [There is typically an open shrub layer dominated by Symphoricarpos albus, but Pteridium aquilinum dominates the understory.]
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