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CEGL002082 Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Green Ash - American Elm / Western Snowberry Forest
Colloquial Name: Green Ash - Elm / Snowberry Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ash - elm woody draw community type is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada. Stands occur on upland sites along steep north-facing slopes and, occasionally, along intermittent drainages or near the bases of north-facing slopes of upland sites. Soils are typically moist and poorly drained, and usually silty clay or clay. This is a moderately to densely vegetated forest with an open to dense shrub understory. The average height of the tree layer is 5-8 m. The tree layer is dominated by Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Ulmus americana. Widely scattered old Populus deltoides occur as remnants of a previous successional stage. The often dense shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos occidentalis. Other shrubs present include Rosa woodsii, Juniperus scopulorum (which can also be in the canopy or subcanopy), and Prunus virginiana. Symphoricarpos occidentalis tends to increase under grazing pressure, and it may be almost the only shrub where grazing has been intense. Herbaceous species present include Pascopyrum smithii, Andropogon gerardii, Poa spp., Carex spp. (wide leaf), Rumex spp., Carex filifolia, Anemone cylindrica, Piptatheropsis micrantha, Galium spp., Anemone canadensis, Taraxacum spp., Lappula spp., Conyza canadensis, and Cirsium spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: ~Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana / Prunus virginiana Woodland (CEGL000643)$$ is less moist and typically occurs in draws or ravines. The description for this type is taken, in part, from a study of upland plant communities along the east bank of Lake Francis Case Reservoir on the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota (USACE 1979). The study recognized four types that are treated together here: (1) Juniperus virginiana - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana, (2) Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Juniperus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis, (3) Juniperus virginiana - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Prunus virginiana, and (4) Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Juniperus virginiana - Celtis occidentalis. Species composition for this type may reflect a lower-quality condition caused by grazing.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is a moderately to densely vegetated forest with an open to dense shrub understory. The average height of the tree layer is 5-7 m in south-central South Dakota (USACE 1979) and 8 m in southwestern North Dakota (Girard et al. 1989). There is 25-30% bare soil, and litter is present as trace amounts of the previous year''s vegetation. The tree layer is dominated by Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Ulmus americana. Widely scattered old Populus deltoides occur as remnants of a previous successional stage. The shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos occidentalis. Other shrubs that can be found with it are Rosa woodsii, Juniperus scopulorum (which can also be in the canopy or subcanopy), and Prunus virginiana. Symphoricarpos occidentalis tends to increase under grazing pressure, and it may be almost the only shrub where grazing has been intense. Herbaceous species that may be found in this community are Pascopyrum smithii, Andropogon gerardii, Poa spp., Carex spp. (wide-leaved), Rumex spp., Carex filifolia, Anemone cylindrica, Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Oryzopsis micrantha), Galium spp., Anemone canadensis, Taraxacum spp., Lappula spp., Conyza canadensis, and Cirsium spp.
Dynamics: This community was trampled heavily as domestic animals and wildlife commonly use it for shade from the mid-day sun.
Environmental Description: This community occurs on upland sites along steep north-facing slopes and, occasionally, along intermittent drainages or near the bases of north-facing slopes of upland sites. Soils are typically moist (occasionally dry) and poorly drained. Girard et al. (1989) found this community on silty clay and clay soils.
Geographic Range: This ash - elm woody draw community type is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada, from the Dakotas to Manitoba.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, ND, SD, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688113
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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.Ne North American Great Plains Forest & Woodland Division | D326 | 1.B.2.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Ne.1 Bur Oak - Quaking Aspen / Western Wheatgrass Forest Woodland Macrogroup | M151 | 1.B.2.Ne.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Ne.1.b Green Ash - American Elm / Cherry species Forest & Woodland Group | G145 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A3211 Green Ash - American Elm Great Plains Forest Alliance | A3211 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002082 Green Ash - American Elm / Western Snowberry Forest | CEGL002082 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Fraxinus pennsylvanica/Juniperus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis (Girard et al. 1989)
= Fraxinus pennsylvanica/Juniperus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis (Girard et al. 1989)
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- USACE [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]. 1979. A cultural resources reconnaissance of the federal lands on the east bank of Lake Francis Case, South Dakota. U.S. Army Engineer District, Corps of Engineers, Omaha, NE.