Print Report
CEGL001149 Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana / Betula nana - Ribes spp. Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Gray Alder / Dwarf Birch - Currant species Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a valley bottom, riparian forest known only from the Wallowa River valley in northeastern Oregon. The forests are found along the northern boarder of the Wallowa Mountains, in a limestone area known as Alder Slope, extending from Ruby Peak to Mount Howard. All the sites are extremely wet, with limestone substrates and numerous springs. The forest canopy is mixed Populus tremuloides and Alnus incana, which is almost a tree in these stands. The stands have a very diverse understory, dominated by Betula nana at 10-20% cover, but which also includes Ribes species, Rosa woodsii, Cornus sericea, and Salix species. The shrub understory is patchy, interrupted by small Deschampsia cespitosa or Carex openings, streams, and occasional bogs. Occasionally, individuals of Picea engelmannii or Juniperus scopulorum can be found, but these are both rare. Forbs, including Corydalis caseana, Urtica dioica, Dicentra cucullaria, Aquilegia, Caltha, and Ranunculus species, are important in patches under the shrubs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a fairly unique community. However, given its rarity and the high degree of manipulation that most of the eastern Oregon valleys have received, it is difficult to be confident about its successional status or relationship to other valley bottom riparian forests.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The forest canopy is mixed Populus tremuloides and Alnus incana, which is almost a tree in these stands. The stands have a very diverse understory, dominated by Betula nana at 10-20% cover, but which also includes Ribes species, Rosa woodsii, Cornus sericea (= Cornus stolonifera), and Salix species. The shrub understory is patchy, interrupted by small Deschampsia cespitosa or Carex openings, streams, and occasional bogs. Occasionally, individuals of Picea engelmannii or Juniperus scopulorum can be found, but these are both rare. Forbs, including Corydalis caseana, Urtica dioica, Dicentra cucullaria, Aquilegia, Caltha, and Ranunculus species, are important in patches under the shrubs.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The forests are found along the northern boarder of the Wallowa Mountains, in a limestone area known as Alder Slope, extending from Ruby Peak to Mount Howard. All the sites are extremely wet, with limestone substrates and numerous springs.
Geographic Range: This riparian forest known only from the Wallowa River valley in northeastern Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686301
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.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group | G506 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A3760 Quaking Aspen Riparian Forest Alliance | A3760 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL001149 Quaking Aspen / Gray Alder / Dwarf Birch - Currant species Riparian Forest | CEGL001149 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.a |
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.
- Kagan, J. S. 1985. Status report for Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis. Unpublished report by Oregon Natural Heritage Program for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On file at Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland, OR.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.