Print Report

CEGL000652 Populus angustifolia / Rhus trilobata Riparian Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Skunkbush Sumac Riparian Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This deciduous riparian woodland occurs on dry upper stream terraces of perennial streams and on lower terraces or banks of intermittent stream courses in the mountains, canyons and plateaus of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. This community is one of the drier Populus angustifolia plant associations and rarely floods. Elevations range from 1360 to 2400 m (4265-7875 feet), with lower stands occurring in Idaho and higher stands at the southern end of the range. Slopes are gentle, and the lack of flooding is indicated by the fact that downed wood and litter cover most of the unvegetated ground surface. Substrates are well-drained, rocky alluvium. The association has an open upper tree canopy that is dominated by Populus angustifolia or Populus x acuminata. Other tree species in the canopy and subcanopy may include Acer negundo, Populus deltoides, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus edulis, and Juniperus spp. Tall shrubs, such as Betula occidentalis, Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier utahensis, Salix monticola, Crataegus rivularis, and Quercus gambelii, form an open layer. A moderately dense to dense short-shrub layer dominated by Rhus trilobata is diagnostic of this type. Cornus sericea, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Ribes montigenum, Forestiera pubescens, Berberis fendleri, Crataegus rivularis, and Symphoricarpos spp. may also be present. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse but may be dense in openings where introduced grasses such as Poa pratensis, Phragmites australis, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus inermis, or Bromus tectorum may dominate. Introduced forbs may include Cynoglossum officinale, Carduus nutans, Cirsium arvense, Melilotus officinalis, or Taraxacum officinale. Common native forbs include Maianthemum stellatum and Glycyrrhiza lepidota, and the vine Clematis ligusticifolia is abundant in some stands. The mix of riparian and upland species indicates that this association occurs on riparian terraces that are in the process of becoming isolated from the water table. Over time as the stand continues to dry out, the more mesic species, such as Betula occidentalis, Salix monticola, and Cornus sericea, will be replaced by additional upland species.

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 has an open upper tree canopy that is dominated by Populus angustifolia or Populus x acuminata. Other tree species in the canopy and subcanopy may include Acer negundo, Populus deltoides, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus edulis, Juniperus scopulorum, and Juniperus osteosperma. Tall shrubs, such as Betula occidentalis, Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier utahensis, Salix monticola, Crataegus rivularis, and Quercus gambelii, form an open layer. A moderately dense to dense short-shrub layer dominated by Rhus trilobata is diagnostic of this type. Cornus sericea, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Ribes montigenum, Forestiera pubescens, Berberis fendleri, Crataegus rivularis, and Symphoricarpos spp. may also be present. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse but may be dense in openings where introduced grasses such as Poa pratensis, Phragmites australis, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus inermis, or Bromus tectorum may dominate. Introduced forbs may include Cynoglossum officinale, Carduus nutans, Cirsium arvense, Melilotus officinalis, or Taraxacum officinale. Common native forbs include Maianthemum stellatum and Glycyrrhiza lepidota. The vine Clematis ligusticifolia is abundant in some stands.

Dynamics:  The mix of riparian and upland species indicates that this association occurs on riparian terraces that are in the process of becoming isolated from the water table. Over time as the stand continues to dry out, the more mesic species, such as Betula occidentalis, Salix monticola, and Cornus sericea, will be replaced by additional upland species.
Environmental Description:  This deciduous riparian woodland occurs on toeslopes and upper stream terraces of perennial streams and on lower terraces or banks of intermittent stream courses in the mountains, canyons and plateaus of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. This community is one of the drier Populus angustifolia plant associations and rarely floods. Elevations range from 1360 to 2400 m (4265-7875 feet), with lower stands occurring in Idaho and higher stands at the southern end of the range in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Slopes are gentle, not exceeding 10%. The major components covering the unvegetated ground surface include litter, large rocks and downed wood. Substrates are well-drained, rocky alluvium poorly developed into sandy loam and clay loam soils.
Geographic Range: This riparian woodland occurs locally in small stands in the mountains and canyons of Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho. It is likely to occur along any perennial tributary stream where low gradients allow for the development of cottonwood gallery forests.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, NV, UT, WY


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.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D195 1.B.3.Nc
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup M034 1.B.3.Nc.1
Group 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group G506 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3759 Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian Forest Alliance A3759 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL000652 Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Skunkbush Sumac Riparian Woodland CEGL000652 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus / Rhus aromatica var. trilobata Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
= Populus angustifolia / Rhus aromatica var. trilobata Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Populus angustifolia / Rhus trilobata Woodland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Populus angustifolia/Rhus trilobata (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Narrowleaf cottonwood/skunkbrush (Populus angustifolia/Rhus trilobata) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz and J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-06-06
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