Print Report

CEGL000589 Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Lupinus argenteus Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Common Juniper / Silvery Lupine Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This deciduous forest association is known from plateaus and mountain slopes on Fishland Plateau on the Colorado Plateau, and the southern and central Rocky Mountains from western Colorado and northern Utah to the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Elevations range from 2400-2745 m (8000-9000 feet). Stands occur on gentle slopes (<10%) on ridgetops and mesas often on northerly to southeasterly aspects. Substrates are variable and do not seem to restrict this type. Litter covers much of the ground surface. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides and a low-shrub layer (>10% cover) with Juniperus communis dominant or at least prominent. Several other shrubs, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, may be present in the low-shrub layer. Scattered conifers may be present in the tree canopy. Occasional tall shrubs Amelanchier alnifolia and conifer seedlings may also be present but do not form a tall-shrub layer. The moderate herbaceous layer is mostly forbs and is characteristically dominated by Lupinus argenteus with the absence or low cover of Carex geyeri and Calamagrostis rubescens. Other common forb species frequently include Achillea millefolium, Antennaria microphylla, Arnica cordifolia, Astragalus miser, Geranium viscosissimum, Thalictrum fendleri, and the introduced Taraxacum officinale.

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: The association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides and a low-shrub layer (>10% cover) with Juniperus communis dominant or at least prominent (Mueggler 1988). Several other shrubs, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, may be present in the low-shrub layer. Scattered conifers (Picea pungens, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, and less often Pinus flexilis or Pinus ponderosa) may be present in the tree canopy. Occasional tall shrubs Amelanchier alnifolia and conifer seedlings may also be present but do not form a tall-shrub layer. The moderate herbaceous layer is mostly forbs and is characteristically dominated by Lupinus argenteus with the absence or low cover of Carex geyeri and Calamagrostis rubescens (Mueggler 1988). Other common forb species frequently include Achillea millefolium, Antennaria microphylla, Arnica cordifolia, Astragalus miser, Geranium viscosissimum, Thalictrum fendleri, and the introduced Taraxacum officinale. Other graminoids present include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus porteri, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Poa fendleriana, and the introduced perennial graminoid Poa pratensis.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This deciduous forest association is known from plateaus and mountain slopes on Fishland Plateau on the Colorado Plateau, and the southern and central Rocky Mountains from western Colorado and northern Utah to the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Elevations range from 2400-2745 m (8000-9000 feet). Stands occur on gentle slopes (<10%) on ridgetops and mesas often on northerly to southeasterly aspects (Mueggler 1988). Substrates are variable and do not seem to restrict this type; they include silty and sandy loams derived from volcanics. Litter covers much of the ground surface.

Geographic Range: This forest association is known from Fishland Plateau in the Colorado Plateau, and the southern and central Rocky Mountains from western Colorado and northern Utah to western Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, UT, WY




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3G4

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: >< Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Lupinus argenteus Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
>< Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Sitanion hystrix Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)

Concept Author(s): W.F. Mueggler (1988)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-10-06

  • 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.
  • Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Mueggler, W. F. 1988. Aspen community types of the Intermountain Region. General Technical Report INT-250. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp.
  • Mueggler, W. F., and R. B. Campbell, Jr. 1986. Aspen community types of Utah. Research Paper INT-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
  • Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.