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CEGL003278 Picea sitchensis - Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Oplopanax horridus Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Black Cottonwood / Devil''s-club Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is an early seral type on floodplains and outwash plains of southeastern Alaska. It is primarily found on newly exposed, well-drained gravel on young proximal outwash and floodplains. River flooding is rare within most of these stands. This association is codominated in the overstory by Picea sitchensis and Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa. Common shrubs include Oplopanax horridus, Vaccinium ovalifolium, and Rubus pedatus. Herbaceous cover is sparse and includes Tiarella trifoliata and Athyrium filix-femina. It is distinct from other Picea sitchensis-dominated communities in that Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa occurs as an overstory codominant, and Oplopanax horridus dominates the understory.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The first published account for this type is from the Yakutat Foreland (Shephard 1995). These forests also occur in the Stikine Area in the Tongass National Forest (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989). The composition and structure of this association are similar to other mixed Picea sitchensis - Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa plant associations of southeastern and south-central Alaska, such as ~Picea sitchensis - Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa / Orthilia secunda Riparian Woodland (CEGL003280)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is codominated in the overstory by Picea sitchensis and Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (= Populus trichocarpa). Common shrubs include Oplopanax horridus (= Echinopanax horridus), Vaccinium ovalifolium, and Rubus pedatus. Herbaceous cover is sparse and includes Tiarella trifoliata and Athyrium filix-femina. It is distinct from other Picea sitchensis-dominated communities in that Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa occurs as an overstory codominant, and Oplopanax horridus dominates the understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is an early seral type on floodplains and outwash plains of southeastern Alaska. It is primarily found on newly exposed, well-drained gravel on young proximal outwash and floodplains. River flooding is rare within most of these stands.
Geographic Range: This plant association is restricted to southeastern and south-central Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687801
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f Sitka Spruce - Black Cottonwood Alaskan Riparian Woodland Group | G852 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
| Alliance | A3744 Black Cottonwood - Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock Riparian Forest Alliance | A3744 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
| Association | CEGL003278 Sitka Spruce - Black Cottonwood / Devil''s-club Riparian Forest | CEGL003278 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- Boggs, K. 2000. Classification of community types, successional sequences and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-469. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. March 2000. 244 pp.
- 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.
- Pawuk, W. H., and E. J. Kissinger. 1989. Preliminary forest plant associations of the Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest. Technical Publication R10-TP-72. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Juneau, AK. 126 pp.
- Shephard, M. E. 1995. Plant community ecology and classification of the Yakutat Foreland, Alaska. R10-TP-56. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 213 pp. plus appendices.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.