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CEGL005269 Elaeagnus angustifolia Ruderal Riparian Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This widespread Russian-olive woodland type is found in the northern Great Plains, Colorado Plateau, and probably throughout much of the western United States and adjacent Canada. It is a naturalized species that has been widely planted in hedgerows for windbreaks. It has since spread to a variety of native habitats, particularly more mesic ones, such as near streams and rivers, although small upland stands are also known. The vegetation is dominated by Elaeagnus angustifolia, sometimes accompanied by Tamarix spp. Remnant Populus fremontii trees may remain as canopy emergents. Stands may be small and linear. The vegetation is dominated by the tree Elaeagnus angustifolia with a variety of native and introduced species in the shrub and herbaceous layers. Associated species have not been characterized. Canopy closure is between 40 and 50%. Shrub cover may be present with species such as Salix exigua or Amorpha fruticosa, but the species present are highly variable. Pascopyrum smithii, Sporobolus airoides, Distichlis spicata, and Hordeum jubatum comprise the herbaceous layer in some stands; in others the understory is dominated by introduced species, such as Lepidium latifolium, Descurainia sophia, and Bassia scoparia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. Populus deltoides- and Populus fremontii-dominated associations may have significant cover of Elaeagnus angustifolia in the tree canopy but are generally considered native woodlands until Elaeagnus angustifolia comprises more than 80-90% of the tree cover. Some stands have a nearly closed tree canopy (80% cover) or may have significant gaps in the tree canopy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Tree canopy is 10-20 m tall, tall shrub 2-10 m, and short shrub less than 2 m.
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by the tree Elaeagnus angustifolia with a variety of native and introduced species in the shrub and herbaceous layers. Canopy closure is open to moderately dense (25-50% cover). In the Colorado Plateau, Tamarix ramosissima may be present in the tree canopy with less cover than Elaeagnus angustifolia, or relict Populus deltoides or Populus fremontii trees may remain as canopy emergents; however, the dominant tree is clearly Elaeagnus. Shrubs in the understory include Salix exigua, Rhus trilobata, Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata, Chrysothamnus linifolius, and Amorpha fruticosa. The herbaceous understory is variable in composition and abundance depending on location. Some species known to occur include Atriplex patula, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis palustris, Euthamia occidentalis, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Grindelia sp., Hordeum jubatum, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Pascopyrum smithii, Spartina pectinata, and Sporobolus airoides. Exotic herbaceous species may be common to abundant, including Bassia scoparia (= Kochia scoparia), Bromus tectorum, Descurainia sophia, Lepidium latifolium, and Xanthium strumarium.
Dynamics: Elaeagnus angustifolia has been planted widely across the western U.S. in windbreaks and as an ornamental. This tree species has bird-dispersed seeds and has invaded riparian woodlands extensively, replacing the native tree species, especially where flood control efforts limit regeneration of native trees such as Populus deltoides and Populus fremontii. Elaeagnus angustifolia is shade tolerant, so it is able to become established in the understory of Populus gallery forests and becomes the dominant when the mature cottonwood trees fall.
Environmental Description: This woodland type is naturalized throughout the interior West and Great Plains, probably spreading as a result of Elaeagnus angustifolia being widely planted in hedgerows for windbreaks, and its fruit and seeds being spread by birds. It has spread to a variety of native habitats, particularly more mesic ones, such as riverbanks, stream terraces and shorelines. Stands also occur in upland basins and drainages. Stands may be small and linear, but many extend for great distances along streams. Adjacent vegetation includes other riparian shrublands and wetlands dominated by Salix exigua or Scirpus and/or Schoenoplectus spp. Upland vegetation is variable.
Geographic Range: This widespread Russian-olive woodland type is reported from the northern Great Plains, Colorado Plateau, and probably occurs throughout much of the western United States and adjacent Canada along rivers and streams, where it replaces native Populus spp.- and Acer negundo-dominated forests and woodlands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, ID, ND, SD, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687409
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division | D013 | 1.B.3.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nd.90 Interior West Ruderal Flooded & Swamp Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M298 | 1.B.3.Nd.90 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nd.90.a Tamarisk species - Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Forest & Scrub Group | G510 | 1.B.3.Nd.90.a |
| Alliance | A3566 Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Scrub Alliance | A3566 | 1.B.3.Nd.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005269 Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Woodland | CEGL005269 | 1.B.3.Nd.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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