Print Report

CEGL000610 Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This deciduous forest association is widespread in the Rocky Mountains and found in mountains of the interior western U.S. Stands occur at montane and subalpine elevations of 2010 to 2960 m (6600-9700 feet) on a variety of intermediately mesic sites, including lower slopes and benches, draws, sheltered slopes, and high benches that range from flat to steep slopes of any aspect. Northern to eastern aspects are common in the drier and warmer environments such as the southern portions of its range. Soils are generally well-developed, well-drained loams or sandy loams. Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy of Populus tremuloides with a short-shrub layer that is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Occasional conifer trees are possible in the stand but do not make up more than 25% of the tree canopy.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There are many similar associations. This Populus tremuloides forest association is based in part on community types and habitat types that were more broadly defined and may include several of the more narrowly defined USNVC associations based on Mueggler (1988) community types. Generally, this aspen association is characterized by having a shrub layer dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus (usually >20% cover) without Quercus gambelii or Amelanchier alnifolia codominating (<5% cover). The understory is often sparse, but if not sparse will not have more than 10% cover of any of the following species: Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex rossii, Festuca thurberi, Thalictrum fendleri, Wyethia amplexicaulis, or tall forbs including Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii, Hackelia floribunda, Mertensia arizonica, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Senecio serra, and Valeriana occidentalis.

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

Floristics: This association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy of Populus tremuloides with a short-shrub layer that is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus (usually >10% cover). Associated shrubs with lesser cover include Rosa woodsii, Mahonia repens, Amelanchier utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Paxistima myrsinites, and Amelanchier alnifolia. The generally sparse herbaceous layer is composed primarily of graminoid species such as Carex geyeri, Achnatherum lettermanii, Poa fendleriana, Elymus glaucus, and Festuca thurberi. Associated herbaceous species include Achillea millefolium, Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium richardsonii, Geranium caespitosum, Lupinus argenteus, Osmorhiza spp., and Fragaria virginiana. Occasional conifer trees are possible in the stand, including Juniperus scopulorum, Picea pungens, and Pseudotsuga menziesii, but do not make up more than 25% of the tree canopy. Total vegetation cover is often in excess of 100%, although the tree canopy may only have 20% closure. Introduced perennial cool-season grass Poa pratensis is common in many mesic environments.

Dynamics:  This association includes stands that are seral to mixed conifers as well as those that appear to be persistent. Persistent stands occur on upper lee slopes where snow collects.
Environmental Description:  This deciduous forest association is widespread in the Rocky Mountains and found in mountains of the interior western U.S. Stands occur at montane and subalpine elevations of 2010-2960 m (6600-9700 feet) on a variety of intermediately mesic sites, including lower slopes and benches, draws, sheltered slopes, and high plateaus that range from flat to steep slopes of any aspect. Northern to eastern aspects are common in the drier and warmer environments such as the southern portions of its range. Soils are generally deep and well-developed, well-drained loams or sandy loams.
Geographic Range: This aspen forest association occurs throughout the Rocky Mountain region and in mountains in the interior western U.S. and possibly Trans-Pecos Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ?, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, TX?, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

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 CEGL000610 Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry Forest CEGL000610 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 - Symphoricarpos oreophilus association (Reed 1971)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Forest (Baker 1982b)
? Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Wasser 1982)
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) [Includes Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forb and Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Thalictrum fendleri community types (Mueggler 1988), which later became USNVC associations.]
? Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980)
? Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Lewis 1975a)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988a)
? Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1983)
? Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Aspen / mountain snowberry (Johnston and Hendzel 1985)
= Aspen Woodland (Keammerer and Peterson 1981)
= Aspen Woodlands (Keammerer and Stoecker 1975)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz and J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-30-05
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