Print Report
CEGL000634 Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Alder / Lewis'' Mock Orange Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This riparian plant association is known from data collected in the Snake and Salmon river corridors, within the Blue Mountains ecoregional section. The association occurs on unstable stream channels within an elevational band of 275-850 m (900-2800 feet), in the deeply incised terrain of the Snake River Canyon. Stands of this forest plant association are dominated by broad-leaved, deciduous tree species. Alnus rhombifolia is dominant, and occurs with high cover. The understory broad-leaved deciduous shrub layer is dominated by Philadelphus lewisii. Other deciduous shrub species commonly present, include Crataegus douglasii, Prunus virginiana, Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp. irriguum, and Salix exigua. Occasional colonies of the introduced shrub Rubus armeniacus are present. The herbaceous component of this association is composed of 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 forest association is dominated by broad-leaved deciduous woody species. The tree Alnus rhombifolia dominates, with high cover. The shrub layer, also broad-leaved deciduous, is dominated by Philadelphus lewisii, from 1.5-2.5 m tall. Several other shrub species are commonly present, including the taller Crataegus douglasii, and Prunus virginiana, and the shorter Ribes oxyacanthoides ssp. irriguum (= Ribes irriguum), and Salix exigua. Occasional colonies of the introduced shrub Rubus armeniacus (= Rubus discolor) can be found, as well as the native liana Clematis ligusticifolia and the introduced Solanum dulcamara. The rare deciduous shrub Rubus bartonianus was found in one stand of this association; it is endemic to the canyons of the Snake River. Information on canopy cover is not available. The herbaceous component of this association is composed of species indicative of disturbance. 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 850 m (900-2800 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 850 m (900-2800 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) described the association as occurring in the Snake River Canyon and its tributaries. Mancuso and Moseley (1994) observed the association in upper Eagle Creek, a tributary of the Salmon River near its confluence with the Snake.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686378
Confidence Level: Low
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 | CEGL000634 White Alder / Lewis'' Mock Orange Riparian Forest | CEGL000634 | 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: = Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii Temporarily Flooded Forest (Crawford 2003)
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii (Moseley 1998)
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii (Jankovsky-Jones et al. 2001)
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Alnus rhombifolia Dominance Type (Evans 1989b) [(10)]
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii (Moseley 1998)
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii (Jankovsky-Jones et al. 2001)
= Alnus rhombifolia / Philadelphus lewisii Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Alnus rhombifolia Dominance Type (Evans 1989b) [(10)]
- 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.
- Crawford, R. C. 2001. Initial riparian and wetland classification and characterization of the Columbia Basin in Washington. Prepared for Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia. 83 pp.
- Crawford, R. C. 2003. Riparian vegetation classification of the Columbia Basin, Washington. Natural Heritage Report 2003-03. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia. 98 pp. plus appendices.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- Evans, S. 1989b. Provisional riparian and aquatic wetland plant communities on the Columbia Plateau. Unpublished report prepared under Contract No. C0089098, with Washington State Department of Ecology. 52 pp.
- Holmstead, G. 2001. Vegetation of the Snake River corridor in Hells Canyon-Weiser, Idaho to the Salmon River. Technical Report Appendix E.3.3-1 prepared for FERC License No. 1971, Hells Canyon Complex by Idaho Power Company, Boise, ID. 49 pp. plus appendices.
- 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).
- Jankovsky-Jones, M., C. J. Murphy, and C. L. Coulter. 2001. Riparian and wetland plant associations of southwestern Idaho in the Lower Snake River District, Bureau of Land Management. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise.
- 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.
- Mancuso, M., and R. Moseley. 1997. Vegetation of the Hixon Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Management Plan Area, Washington County, Idaho. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Natural Resource Policy Bureau, Boise, ID. [http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame/info/cdc/cdc_pdf/hixon97.pdf]
- Miller, T. B. 1976. Ecology of riparian communities dominated by white alder in western Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 154 pp.
- Moseley, R. K. 1998. Riparian and wetland community inventory of 14 reference areas in southwestern Idaho. Technical Bulletin 98-5. USDI Bureau of Land Management, Boise State Office, Boise, ID. 52 pp.
- Neiman, K. 1987. Inventory of Garden Creek Ranch conducted during summer of 1987. Report to The Nature Conservancy, Sun Valley, Idaho.
- Titus, J. H., M. Kerr, E. Crowe, and B. Kovalchik. 1998. Riparian zones of eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.