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CEGL000563 Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Rocky Mountain Maple Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This uncommon Populus tremuloides forest association is found in a mountainous region east of the Continental Divide in central Colorado. Stands may also occur in north-central New Mexico where, if present, the association is seral to conifer forests with Acer glabrum-dominated understories. This association commonly occurs on north- to northeast-facing, moist-wet slopes and alluvial terraces from 2500 to 2930 m (8200-9600 feet) elevation, but it is also reported from easterly to southerly slopes. Slopes are moderately steep (generally 5-13%) and undulating. Soils are saturated or poorly drained and range from silty clay loams to sandy loams, often with high organic matter content in the top 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil profile. Species richness is moderately high for aspen associations. This association is characterized by a nearly closed canopy of the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus tremuloides. Populus balsamifera or Populus angustifolia may be present in some stands. The understory is very lush. Shrubs are primarily broad-leaved deciduous species, with Acer glabrum being characteristic and dominant, occasionally reaching tree stature. Other important tall shrubs include Sambucus racemosa, Prunus virginiana, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Short shrubs present include Rosa woodsii, Ribes montigenum, and Mahonia repens. Conifer species may be present in the understory but with low cover. The herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial forbs such as Actaea rubra, Artemisia franserioides, Chamerion angustifolium, Erigeron eximius, Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza depauperata, Oreochrysum parryi, and Thalictrum fendleri. Common grasses are Calamagrostis canadensis and Elymus spp. Diagnostic of this forest association is the tree canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides with an Acer glabrum-dominated tall-shrub layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Powell (1988a) describes this as a riparian forest, but it may not be restricted to streams. This association and ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Acer glabrum Forest (CEGL000418)$$ are closely related as many of these aspen stands may be seral to ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Acer glabrum Forest (CEGL000418)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus tremuloides dominates the canopy of this forest association with over 90% cover. Populus balsamifera or Populus angustifolia may be present in some stands. The understory is very lush, with both shrub and herbaceous layers having over 100% cover. Shrubs are primarily broad-leaved deciduous species, with Acer glabrum being the characteristic and dominant (averaging 56% cover). Occasionally Acer glabrum may reach tree stature, some individuals being over 8 m in height. Other important tall shrubs include Sambucus racemosa, Prunus virginiana, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Short shrubs present include Rosa woodsii, Ribes montigenum, and Mahonia repens. Conifer species may be present in the understory but with low cover. The herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial forbs such as Actaea rubra, Artemisia franserioides, Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium), Oreochrysum parryi, Osmorhiza depauperata, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), and Thalictrum fendleri. Common grasses are Calamagrostis canadensis and Elymus spp. Species richness is moderately high for aspen associations, with 49 species of vascular plants occurring in the sampled stands.
Dynamics: This is a climax Populus tremuloides association on some sites, whereas this association is seral to conifer-dominated forests (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii) on others. Prescribed fire can be useful for regenerating Populus tremuloides (Powell 1988a).
Environmental Description: This type is found in a mountainous region just to the east of the Continental Divide. This region includes the highest ranges in the Rocky Mountain system; many peaks are in excess of 4267 m (14,000 feet) elevation. Extensive Pleistocene glaciation occurred in these ranges. The climate is characterized by cool summers and cold winters. An average of 40% of the annual precipitation falls from June through August, with the remainder occurring as winter and early spring snows. Due to a rainshadow effect from the massive San Juan Mountains to the west, annual precipitation (approximately 508 mm [20 inches]) is less than what occurs farther south in northern New Mexico. Maximum snowfall accumulations are about 8 m (26 feet). This association commonly occurs on north- to northeast-facing, moist-wet slopes and alluvial terraces from 2500 to 2930 m (8200-9600 feet) elevation, but it is also reported from easterly to southerly slopes. Slopes are moderately steep (generally 5-13%) and undulating. Soils are saturated and range from silty clay loams to sandy loams, often with high organic matter content in the top 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil profile.
Geographic Range: This type is only recorded from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687636
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | CEGL000563 Quaking Aspen / Rocky Mountain Maple Forest | CEGL000563 | 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 / Acer glabrum Community Type (Powell 1988a)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Populus tremuloides / Acer glabrum Forest (Carsey et al. 2003a)
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Carsey, K., D. Cooper, K. Decker, D. Culver, and G. Kittel. 2003b. Statewide wetlands classification and characterization: Wetland plant associations of Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 79 pp. [http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/documents/2003/wetland_classification_final_report_2003.pdf]
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- Powell, D. C. 1988a. Aspen community types of the Pike and San Isabel national forests in south-central Colorado. Report R2-ECOL-88-01. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Denver, CO. 254 pp.
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- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.