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CEGL000587 Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Common Juniper Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Populus tremuloides forest association is known from the mountains of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. It occurs on gentle to steep slopes (10-100%), on nearly all exposures from 2285 to 3000 m (7500-9800 feet) in elevation. It is also documented from swales, broad benches or dry flats acting as frost pockets, or where subject to cold-air drainage. Soils are derived primarily from sandstone or granite. The tree canopy is dominated by Populus tremuloides. Scattered conifer trees occur, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, Picea engelmannii, and Picea pungens. The shrub layer is dominated by Juniperus communis, although it also contains Acer glabrum, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and sometimes Artemisia tridentata, and dwarf-shrubs Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, and Vaccinium myrtillus. The herbaceous layer is variable in expression, with graminoids dominant in some stands and forbs dominant in others. Graminoids commonly occurring include Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Elymus trachycaulus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Bromus ciliatus, Achnatherum occidentale, Oryzopsis asperifolia, Danthonia parryi, Poa nemoralis, or Poa secunda. Forbs include Achillea millefolium, Astragalus miser, Geranium viscosissimum, Lupinus argenteus, and Thalictrum fendleri. Diagnostic characteristics of this association are canopy dominance by Populus tremuloides and a short-shrub layer with abundant Juniperus communis.

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: Stands a have a somewhat closed to closed canopy of trees 5-20 m tall that is dominated or codominated by the cold-deciduous broad-leaved tree Populus tremuloides. Scattered conifer trees sometimes occur, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, Picea engelmannii, and Picea pungens, but at least some stands appear to be persistent aspen clones. The shrub layer is dominated by Juniperus communis, although it also contains Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and sometimes Artemisia tridentata, and dwarf-shrubs Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, and Vaccinium myrtillus. The herbaceous layer is variable in expression, with graminoids dominant in some stands and forbs dominant in others. Graminoids commonly occurring include Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Bromus carinatus, Bromus ciliatus, Bromus porteri, Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis), Carex siccata (= Carex foenea), Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Hesperostipa comata, Oryzopsis asperifolia, Danthonia parryi, Festuca thurberi, Poa fendleriana, Poa nemoralis, or Poa secunda (= Poa nevadensis). The most common forbs present include Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana, Achillea millefolium, Astragalus flexuosus, Astragalus miser, Fragaria virginiana, Pseudocymopterus montanus, Thermopsis divaricarpa, Lupinus argenteus, Campanula rotundifolia, and Arnica cordifolia. Exotic species, such as Taraxacum officinale, Poa pratensis, Bromus inermis, and Bromus tectorum, are often common in stands disturbed by grazing.

Dynamics:  This association is considered a stable, climax Populus tremuloides forest on most sites. However, it can also be seral to Abies lasiocarpa or Pseudotsuga menziesii forests. Heavy grazing can impact and alter the herbaceous composition; Astragalus miser and Lupinus argenteus are grazing increasers.
Environmental Description:  This Populus tremuloides forest association is known from the mountains of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. It occurs on gentle to steep slopes (10-100%), on nearly all exposures from 2285 to 3000 m (7500-9800 feet) in elevation. Distribution of these forests is primarily limited by adequate soil moisture required to meet its high evapotranspiration demand (Mueggler 1988). Secondarily, its range is limited by the length of the growing season or low temperatures (Mueggler 1988). This forest type occurs in two differing environments: (1) warm, dry sites near the margin of bunchgrass meadows and (2) swales, broad benches or dry flats acting as frost pockets, or where subject to cold-air drainage. Soils are derived primarily from sandstone, limestone or granite parent material, and the ground surface may have a high percentage of boulders and gravel.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the mountains and high plateaus of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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 CEGL000587 Quaking Aspen / Common Juniper Forest CEGL000587 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 / Juniperus communis / Astragalus miser Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
> Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
> Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis / Sitanion hystrix Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis Community Type (Powell 1988a)
< Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
= Populus tremuloides / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: G. Kittel, S.L. Neid, K.A. Schulz, and J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-07-05
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