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CEGL000677 Populus balsamifera (ssp. trichocarpa, ssp. balsamifera) / Symphoricarpos (albus, oreophilus, occidentalis) Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Black Cottonwood, Balsam Poplar) / (Common Snowberry, Mountain Snowberry, Western Snowberry) Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is known from the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, through the Columbia Basin to the Cascades of eastern Washington, into central and northern Idaho, western Wyoming, and north to the mountains of southern British Columbia. This late-seral association typically occurs at low elevations from 579 to 2040 m (1900-6693 feet) in broad mountain valleys and canyons of low- to moderate-gradient streams and rivers. The association occupies alluvial terraces with deep silty loam soils (over cobble and gravel) on infrequently flooded sites well above the average high-water line and summer water table. Tall and mature Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa form the open to closed overstory canopy, with occasional understory asexual reproduction and conifers present. Conifer species, especially Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii, may indicate the potential successional pathway on these relatively dry terrace sites. The shrub layer is clearly dominated by one species of Symphoricarpos, either Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos occidentalis (usually with at least 20% cover), although a variety of other tall and medium shrubs (all with cover less than Symphoricarpos albus) are often present. The most consistently prominent shrubs are Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Crataegus douglasii, Philadelphus lewisii, Prunus virginiana, Rosa spp., and Rubus parviflorus, the presence of which may reflect successional relationships with other alluvial terrace associations. The herbaceous layer is diverse, but has only moderate cover, and often includes exotic species indicative of past disturbance. Perennial grasses, especially Elymus glaucus, Phalaris arundinacea, and Poa pratensis, often codominate with various tall forbs and Equisetum spp. The most important forbs include Clematis ligusticifolia, Heracleum maximum, Maianthemum spp., Thalictrum occidentale, and Urtica dioica.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is defined as a PNV vegetation type. This association has been quantitatively described by eight different studies with at least 49 plots (Kovalchik 1987, Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997, Moseley and Bursik 1994, Crawford 2001, Jankovsky-Jones et al. 2001, Kovalchik 2001, Crowe et al. 2002, Grand Teton National Park 2004-2005). This association belongs to a complex of ecologically related associations with similar species composition, including ~Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Alnus incana Riparian Forest (CEGL000667)$$, ~Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Crataegus douglasii Riparian Forest (CEGL000673)$$, and others not yet incorporated into the National Vegetation Classification, including Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Acer glabrum and Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Philadelphus lewisii (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1987, Crawford 2001, Holmstead 2001, Jankovsky-Jones et al. 2001, Crowe et al. 2002). The understory dominance by Symphoricarpos albus, with higher cover and constancy than tall shrubs, separates this association from those where Acer glabrum, Alnus incana, Crataegus douglasii, or Philadelphus lewisii have equal or greater cover and constancy. We include stands dominated by Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and any species of Symphoricarpos because they all occupy a similar ecological niche within the riparian zone, that is the higher, older terraces. In addition, some studies had more than one species of Symphoricarpos dominating the shrub layer [see Hall and Hansen (1997)]. Symphoricarpos species are wide ranging across the West and even into the Midwest, while the cottonwood dominating the overstory is the better indicator for the geographic distribution for the association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Tall and mature Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa form the open to closed overstory canopy, with occasional understory asexual reproduction and conifers present. Conifer species, especially Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii, may indicate the potential successional pathway on these relatively dry terrace sites. The shrub layer is clearly dominated by one species of Symphoricarpos, either Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos occidentalis (usually with at least 20% cover), although a variety of other tall and medium shrubs (all with cover less than Symphoricarpos sp.) are usually present. The most consistently prominent shrubs are Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Crataegus douglasii, Philadelphus lewisii, Prunus virginiana, Rosa spp., and Rubus parviflorus, the presence of which may reflect successional relationships with other alluvial terrace associations. The herbaceous layer is diverse, but has only moderate cover, and often includes exotic species indicative of past disturbance. Perennial grasses, especially Elymus glaucus, Phalaris arundinacea, and Poa pratensis, often codominate with various tall forbs and Equisetum spp. The most important forbs include Clematis ligusticifolia, Heracleum maximum, Maianthemum spp., Wyethia amplexicaulis, Thalictrum occidentale, Urtica dioica, Geranium viscosissimum, and Helianthella uniflora.
Dynamics: This association is a mid- to late-seral association that usually occurs on inactive floodplain terraces that flood only episodically. Over time, these terraces may wash away from lateral movement of the channel (Moseley and Bursik 1994, Hansen et al. 1995). In addition, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa reproduction is low and limited to less vigorous asexual suckering. Without intact ecological processes promoting stand replacement and succession, long-term persistence of this type will decrease. Young stands of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa establish on fresh alluvium found on point bars and banks of rivers with intact, natural flooding regimes (Moseley and Bursik 1994, Hansen et al. 1995, Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997, Crawford 2001, Jankovsky-Jones et al. 2001, Kovalchik 2001). As rivers downcut and channels migrate over time, these point bars and banks are less frequently flooded and loamy soils develop. These sites are favorable for Symphoricarpos albus establishment and formation of new stands of this association.
Environmental Description: This late-seral association typically occurs at low elevations from 579 to 2040 m (1900-6693 feet) in broad mountain valleys and canyons of low- to moderate-gradient streams and rivers. The association occupies alluvial terraces and elevated streambanks with deep silty loam soils (over cobble and gravel) on infrequently flooded sites well above the average high-water line and summer water table.
Geographic Range: This association is known from low-elevation, large rivers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Wyoming, and British Columbia. It has been report from Montana as part of another community [see Hansen et al. (1995)].
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: BC?, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687134
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.c Northern Rocky Mountain Lowland-Foothill Riparian Forest Group | G796 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A0311 Black Cottonwood Northern Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance | A0311 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000677 (Black Cottonwood, Balsam Poplar) / (Common Snowberry, Mountain Snowberry, Western Snowberry) Riparian Forest | CEGL000677 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus Temporarily Flooded Forest (Crawford 2003)
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.94)]
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus Community Type (Evans 1989a) [(p.17)]
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997)
>< Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [(p.259) Some stands have up to 20% cover of Symphoricarpos albus.]
= Black cottonwood / common snowberry / Kentucky bluegrass community type (Kovalchik 1987) [(p.136) described in central Oregon which represents stands in degraded ecological condition.]
= Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus Temporarily Flooded Forest (Crawford 2003)
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.94)]
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos albus Community Type (Evans 1989a) [(p.17)]
= Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997)
>< Populus trichocarpa / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [(p.259) Some stands have up to 20% cover of Symphoricarpos albus.]
= Black cottonwood / common snowberry / Kentucky bluegrass community type (Kovalchik 1987) [(p.136) described in central Oregon which represents stands in degraded ecological condition.]
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