Print Report

CEGL000579 Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Geyer''s Sedge Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This relatively common deciduous forest association occurs in the southern and central Rocky Mountains and may extend north into Montana. This montane to subalpine forest type ranges from 2350 to 3170 m (7700-10,400 feet) elevation. Sites are variable, but stands often occur on cool, well-drained, gentle slopes (<20%). Substrates are moderately deep, sandy loam to clayey soils. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides, with no shrub layer, and a Carex geyeri-dominated herbaceous layer. Scattered conifers (Picea pungens, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta) may be present in the tree canopy. Occasional shrubs, such as Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, may be present but are too sparse to be considered a shrub layer (<10% cover). The moderate herbaceous layer is composed mostly of graminoids and is characteristically dominated by Carex geyeri. Other graminoids present include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus spp., Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, and the introduced perennial graminoid Poa pratensis. Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex rossii, and Festuca thurberi are absent or have low cover. Forb species have low cover with relatively low diversity when compared to other aspen types.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Compare this association to ~Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Carex geyeri Forest (CEGL000588)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides, the lack of a shrub layer, and a Carex geyeri-dominated herbaceous layer. Scattered conifers (Picea pungens, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta) may be present in the tree canopy. Occasional shrubs, such as Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, may be present but are too sparse to be considered a shrub layer (<10% cover). Juniperus communis is typically absent or trace cover. The moderate herbaceous layer is composed mostly of graminoids and is characteristically dominated by Carex geyeri (Henderson et al. 1977, Hess 1981, Alexander et al. 1986, Hess and Alexander 1986). Other graminoids present include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus ciliatus, Chaenactis douglasii (= Chaenactis angustifolia), Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, and the introduced perennial graminoid Poa pratensis. Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex rossii, and Festuca thurberi are absent or have low cover. Forb species have low cover with relatively low diversity when compared to other aspen types; they may include Achillea millefolium, Antennaria microphylla, Arnica cordifolia, Astragalus miser, Galium boreale, Geranium viscosissimum, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus leucanthus), Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus argenteus, Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and the introduced Taraxacum officinale.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This relatively common deciduous forest association occurs in the southern and central Rocky Mountains and may extend north into Montana. This montane to subalpine forest type ranges from 2350 to 3170 m (7700-10,400 feet) elevation. Sites are variable, but stands often occur on cool, well-drained, gentle slopes (<20%) (Henderson et al. 1977, Hess 1981, Alexander et al. 1986, Hess and Alexander 1986). Substrates are moderately deep, sandy loam to clayey soils from alluvium and colluvium derived from a variety of parent materials, including sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Litter covers much of the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This relatively common Rocky Mountain forest association occurs in Colorado, Wyoming Utah and possibly Montana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, MT, UT, WY


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 CEGL000579 Quaking Aspen / Geyer''s Sedge Forest CEGL000579 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 / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler 1988) [Mueggler included aspen stands with grassy understories dominated by Carex geyeri in this community type.]
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Henderson et al. 1977)
= Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< Populus tremuloides / Festuca thurberi / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Wasser 1982)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-10-06
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