Print Report
CEGL000527 Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Subalpine Fir / Common Juniper Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This successional, mixed aspen-conifer forest occurs in the upper montane forest zone in Colorado and Utah from 2440 to 3050 m (8000-10,000 feet) in elevation. This association represents the successional stage where conifers, especially Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, have converted the formerly deciduous canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides to a mixed conifer-deciduous canopy. This forest association occurs on midslopes and high plateaus on various aspects and soils. Tree canopy primarily consists of Populus tremuloides, Picea engelmannii, and Abies lasiocarpa. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus flexilis may be incidentally present but have low canopy cover. Mixed stands must have at least 25% relative tree cover of both aspen (deciduous) and conifers. A tall-shrub layer is distinctly absent in this association; however, a low-shrub layer is present. The low-shrub layer is characterized and dominated or codominated by Juniperus communis. Additional shrubs present often include Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Rosa woodsii, and Mahonia repens, among others. The herbaceous layer is generally a mix of graminoids and forbs, with Carex rossii, Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus ciliatus, Elymus trachycaulus, Achillea millefolium, Fragaria vesca, Astragalus miser, and Thalictrum fendleri occurring most commonly. Diagnostic characteristics of this association are the prominence of Juniperus communis in the low-shrub layer beneath a mixed aspen and spruce-fir tree canopy.
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: This association represents the successional stage where conifers, especially Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, have converted the formerly deciduous canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides to a mixed conifer-deciduous canopy (Mueggler and Campbell 1986, Mueggler 1988). Tree canopy primarily consists of Populus tremuloides, Picea engelmannii, and Abies lasiocarpa. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus flexilis may be incidentally present but have low canopy cover. Mixed stands must have at least 25% relative tree cover of both aspen (deciduous) and conifers. A tall-shrub layer is distinctly absent in this association; however, a low-shrub layer is present. The low-shrub layer is characterized and dominated or codominated by Juniperus communis. Additional shrubs present often include Acer glabrum, Jamesia americana, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Rosa woodsii, and Mahonia repens, among others. The herbaceous layer is generally a mix of graminoids and forbs, with Carex rossii, Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis), Bromus ciliatus, Elymus trachycaulus, Achillea millefolium, Fragaria vesca, Astragalus miser, and Thalictrum fendleri occurring most commonly. Diagnostic characteristics of this association are the prominence of Juniperus communis in the low-shrub layer beneath a mixed aspen and spruce-fir tree canopy.
Dynamics: This association represents the successional stage where conifers, especially Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii, have converted the formerly deciduous canopy dominated by Populus tremuloides to a mixed conifer-deciduous canopy. In the absence of disturbance, this association will likely succeed to ~Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000919)$$ or to ~Abies lasiocarpa / Mahonia repens Forest (CEGL000318)$$ (Mueggler and Campbell 1986).
Environmental Description: This successional, mixed aspen-conifer forest occurs in the upper montane forest zone in Colorado and Utah from 2400 to 3000 m (8000-10,000 feet) in elevation. It occurs on midslopes and high plateaus on various aspects and soils.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Utah and Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688543
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.b Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Lodgepole Pine Dry-Mesic Forest & Woodland Group | G219 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Alliance | A3645 Subalpine Fir - Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Forest Alliance | A3645 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL000527 Quaking Aspen - Subalpine Fir / Common Juniper Forest | CEGL000527 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides - Abies lasiocarpa / Juniperus communis Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
- 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/]
- Mueggler, W. F. 1988. Aspen community types of the Intermountain Region. General Technical Report INT-250. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp.
- Mueggler, W. F., and R. B. Campbell, Jr. 1986. Aspen community types of Utah. Research Paper INT-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.