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CEGL000615 Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forbs Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Tall Forbs Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This deciduous forest association is widespread in the Intermountain region on the western U.S. It is found at montane and subalpine elevations from 1890 to 2960 m (6200-9700 feet) across its latitudinal range. Sites include lower slopes and benches, draws, sheltered slopes, and high benches that range from flat to moderate slopes of any aspect. Northern to eastern aspects are common in the drier and warmer environments in the southern portions of its range. Soils are variable but include loams or sandy loams that are often derived from sandstone parent material. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy of Populus tremuloides with a short-shrub layer with at least 10% cover that is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The herbaceous layer present with at least 10% cover is dominated by tall forbs such as Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii, Hackelia floribunda, Mertensia arizonica, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Senecio serra, and Valeriana occidentalis. Occasional conifer trees are possible in a stand but do not make up more than 10% of the tree canopy.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Confusion between this association and the more broadly defined and distributed ~Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Forest (CEGL000610)$$ is not uncommon. This association was once part of the more broadly defined association, which needs review and refinement. Currently this aspen forest association is characterized by the presence of (1) a low-shrub layer with over 10% cover that is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus, (2) an herbaceous layer with at least 10% cover that is dominated by one or more of several tall forb species, and (3) the absence of a tall-shrub layer (<10% cover) (Mueggler 1988).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This deciduous forest association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy of Populus tremuloides with a short-shrub layer with at least 10% (typically 30%) cover that is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Occasional conifer trees are possible in stands but do not make up more than 25% of the tree canopy. Conifer species include Pinus flexilis, Abies lasiocarpa, Abies concolor, or Picea pungens. Occasional Prunus virginiana or Amelanchier alnifolia tall shrubs may be present. Other short shrubs include Rosa woodsii, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, and Ceanothus velutinus. An herbaceous layer present with at least 10% cover is characteristically dominated by tall forbs such as Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii, Hackelia floribunda, Mertensia arizonica, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Senecio serra, and Valeriana occidentalis. Other forbs may include Lathyrus spp., Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Rudbeckia occidentalis, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana. Graminoids may be present and often include taller species such as Bromus carinatus, Elymus glaucus, and introduced species Thinopyrum intermedium or Poa pratensis.
Dynamics: These communities can provide good forage for livestock, especially sheep (Mueggler 1988). However, with excessive livestock grazing Lathyrus spp., Rudbeckia occidentalis, Vicia americana, and Poa pratensis will dominate the understory.
Environmental Description: This deciduous forest association is widespread in the Intermountain region of the western U.S. It is found at montane and subalpine elevations from 1890 to 2960 m (6200-9700 feet) across its latitudinal range. Sites include lower slopes and benches, draws, sheltered slopes, and high benches that range from flat to moderate slopes of any aspect. Northern to eastern aspects are common in the drier and warmer environments in the southern portions of its range. Soils are variable but are generally well-developed, well-drained loams or sandy loams that are often derived from sandstone parent material.
Geographic Range: This deciduous forest association occurs in the mountains and plateaus of Utah, western Wyoming, northern Nevada, and southern Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, NV, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688969
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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 | CEGL000615 Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Tall Forbs Forest | CEGL000615 | 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 / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Rudbeckia occidentalis Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Senecio serra Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forb Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Senecio serra Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forb Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
- 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. 1982. Aspen community types on the Caribou and Targhee national forests in southeastern Idaho. Research Paper INT-294. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 32 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Youngblood, A. P., and W. F. Mueggler. 1981. Aspen community types on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. Research Paper INT-272. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 34 pp.