Print Report

CEGL000625 Acer negundo / Cornus sericea Riparian Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Box-elder / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is known from lower montane canyons in Utah, western Colorado, and the southeastern corner of Idaho at elevations of less than 1985 to 2350 m (<6500-7700 feet). It occurs on gently sloping terraces and benches in narrow, shady canyons on second-order and higher streams. The overstory of this forest association is dominated by Acer negundo. Betula occidentalis, Alnus incana, or Acer grandidentatum occasionally form a dense low-tree layer. Cover of Cornus sericea is usually greater than 25%, and Salix lutea or Salix exigua are occasionally present. Minor amounts of Rosa spp., Ribes inerme, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus may also be present. The herbaceous layer is highly variable, with Maianthemum stellatum and Geranium richardsonii commonly occurring. Populus angustifolia, Salix exigua, or other Acer negundo types may dominate adjacent riparian plant communities.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is documented from 13 quantitative sample plots in Utah and 4 quantitative sample plots in Colorado. Although two varieties of Acer negundo are recognized in Colorado, they are not differentiated for the purposes of this association. Some stands have open canopies and are better classified as woodlands. This question needs rangewide review.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This riparian forest association is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy dominated by Acer negundo. Betula occidentalis, Alnus incana, or Acer grandidentatum may occasionally form a dense tree subcanopy/tall-shrub layer. Scattered Abies concolor, Abies lasiocarpa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Populus angustifolia may be present in the tree canopy (Padgett et al. 1989). Cover of Cornus sericea is usually greater than 25%, and Salix irrorata, Salix lutea, or Salix exigua are occasionally present. Minor amounts of Acer glabrum, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Fraxinus anomala, Holodiscus dumosus, Paxistima myrsinites, Philadelphus microphyllus, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Ribes inerme, Rosa spp., Rubus idaeus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus may also be present (Padgett et al. 1989, Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a). Quercus gambelii, if present, has less than 5% cover. The herbaceous layer is highly variable in species composition and cover depending on shrub cover and disturbance. Characteristic species include Actaea rubra, Arctium lappa, Carex geyeri, Equisetum spp., Geranium richardsonii, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Heracleum maximum, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Mertensia franciscana, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Senecio serra, and Urtica dioica (Padgett et al. 1989, Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a). The introduced forage grass Poa pratensis and exotic annual forb Taraxacum officinale dominate the herbaceous layer of some stands.

Dynamics:  Acer negundo may form a late-seral riparian type unless the site becomes too dry because of channel downcutting or migration (Carsey et al. 2003a).
Environmental Description:  This association is known from lower montane canyons in the Colorado Plateau (including the La Sal Mountains), Wasatch Range and extends into western Colorado and the southeastern corner of Idaho along riparian corridors. Elevation ranges from below 1985 to 2350 m (<6500-7700 feet). Stands occur on gently sloping terraces and benches in narrow, shady canyons on second-order and higher streams. Soils are derived from alluvium and include sandy, coarse to fine loamy, and loamy skeletal (Padgett et al. 1989, Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a). Depth to water table ranges from 21 cm to below 1 m. Wetter sites have mottles within 1 m of surface indicating a seasonally high water table. Soils are often classified as Mollisols with a few Entisols and Inceptisols (Padgett et al. 1989).
Geographic Range: This community is known from lower montane canyons in Utah, southeastern Idaho, and western Colorado.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Low

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 A4154 Box-elder - Thinleaf Alder - Red-osier Dogwood Riparian Woodland Alliance A4154 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL000625 Box-elder / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian Forest CEGL000625 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: = Acer negundo / Cornus sericea Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Acer negundo / Cornus sericea Forest (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Acer negundo / Cornus sericea Forest (Carsey et al. 2003a)
Concept Author(s): J. Thompson and J. Stevens

Author of Description: J. Thompson, J. Stevens, K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-02-07
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