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CEGL000564 Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This aspen association occurs in the Rocky Mountains and is reported from Colorado to western Montana and into Ontario, Canada. Rangewide information is not available for the northern extent. In Colorado, stands are found on midslopes of hills and mountains on gentle slopes (4-5°) with warmer southeastern and western aspects at 2543 and 2724 m elevation. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (40% cover) tree canopy dominated by 10- to 15-m tall Populus tremuloides. Amelanchier alnifolia dominates the tall-shrub layer with between 5-10% cover. The remaining shrub and dwarf-shrub cover is variable and may include Crataegus rivularis, Prunus virginiana, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Salix scouleriana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Quercus gambelii, if present, has less than 5% cover. The herbaceous layer provides sparse cover because of the dense shade cast by the canopy. Common graminoid or forb species include Bromus anomalus, Bromus ciliatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Heracleum maximum, Ligusticum porteri, and Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis; the exotic Poa pratensis provides less than 10% total cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands reported from Montana, Wyoming and Ontario need further review. The similar association ~Populus tremuloides / Prunus virginiana Forest (CEGL000596)$$ often has Amelanchier alnifolia codominant with Prunus virginiana. Further clarification of the concepts of these two association is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: In Colorado, the vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (40% cover) tree canopy dominated by 10- to 15-m tall Populus tremuloides. Amelanchier alnifolia dominates the tall-shrub layer with between 5-10% cover. The remaining shrub and dwarf-shrub cover is variable and may include Crataegus rivularis (= Crataegus douglasii var. rivularis), Prunus virginiana, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Salix scouleriana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Quercus gambelii, if present, has less than 5% cover. The herbaceous layer provides sparse cover because of the dense shade cast by the canopy. Common graminoid or forb species include Bromus anomalus, Bromus ciliatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Ligusticum porteri, and Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis (= Urtica dioica var. procera); the invasive Poa pratensis provides less than 10% total cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This aspen association occurs in the Rocky Mountains and is reported from Colorado to western Montana and into Ontario, Canada. Rangewide information is not available for the northern extent. In Colorado, stands are found on midslopes of hills and mountains on gentle slopes (4-5°) with warmer southeastern and western aspects at 2543 and 2724 m elevation.
Geographic Range: This aspen association occurs in the Rocky Mountains from Colorado to western Montana and into Ontario, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, ON, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687509
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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 | CEGL000564 Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry Forest | CEGL000564 | 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 / Amelanchier alnifolia - Padus virginiana Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
- 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.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.