Print Report
CEGL000566 Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Bromus carinatus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / California Brome Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mesic aspen forest is most likely a grazing-induced, less rich version of similar associations. It is a mesic forest that occupies low to moderate elevations, from 1965 to 2380 m (6448-7800 feet). It occurs on shallow to moderately steep slopes on all exposures, often on sedimentary sand- or claystone-derived soils. Populus tremuloides is the almost exclusive canopy occupant with 10-80% cover, average about 50%. Conifers may be present in low amounts (<1%). The undergrowth is essentially three strata: tall shrubs, low shrubs, and herbs. Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana are the most common and abundant tall-shrub species. Symphoricarpos oreophilus usually dominates the lower shrub layer. The herbaceous undergrowth of this structurally complex community has been altered considerably by grazing. Heavy persistent grazing has reduced forbs and increased less palatable grass species. The herbaceous portion of the undergrowth is a highly variable group of species. Most abundant are tall grass species such as Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, and Elymus trachycaulus. Poa pratensis and Poa wheeleri can also be present in significant amounts (20-40% cover). A wide variety of forbs can occur, but the tall and low forbs that serve as indicators for other community types are never abundant. Most common are Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi, Chamerion angustifolium, Helianthella uniflora, Lupinus spp., Lathyrus spp., and Vicia americana.
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 is a montane forest that occurs on mesic sites. Populus tremuloides is the almost exclusive canopy occupant with 10-80% cover, average about 50%. Conifers may be present in low amounts (<1%), including Abies concolor, Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The herbaceous undergrowth of this structurally complex community has been altered considerably by grazing. The undergrowth is essentially three strata: tall shrubs, low shrubs, and herbs. Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana are the most common and abundant tall-shrub species. The tall-shrub stratum can be broken up and ill-defined, but various members of the tall-shrub group are, in total, a prominent part of the undergrowth. Symphoricarpos oreophilus usually dominates the lower shrub layer. Rosa woodsii and Mahonia repens (= Berberis repens) are also frequently present but not nearly as abundant as Symphoricarpos. In the northern part of the range Paxistima myrsinites frequently is an important constituent.
The herbaceous portion of the undergrowth is a highly variable group of species. Most abundant are tall grass species such as Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, and Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum). Poa pratensis and Poa wheeleri can also be present in significant amounts (20-40% cover). A wide variety for forbs can occur, but the tall and low forbs that serve as indicators for other community types are never abundant. Most common are Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Chamerion angustifolium, Helianthella uniflora, Lupinus spp., Lathyrus spp., and Vicia americana.
The herbaceous portion of the undergrowth is a highly variable group of species. Most abundant are tall grass species such as Elymus glaucus, Bromus carinatus, and Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum). Poa pratensis and Poa wheeleri can also be present in significant amounts (20-40% cover). A wide variety for forbs can occur, but the tall and low forbs that serve as indicators for other community types are never abundant. Most common are Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Chamerion angustifolium, Helianthella uniflora, Lupinus spp., Lathyrus spp., and Vicia americana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mesic forest occupies low to moderate elevations, from 1965 to 2400 m (6448-7800 feet). It occurs on shallow to moderately steep slopes on all exposures, often on sedimentary sand- or claystone-derived soils.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689306
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.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 | CEGL000566 Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / California Brome Forest | CEGL000566 | 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 / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Bromus carinatus 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.