Print Report
CEGL000946 Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Elymus glaucus Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Common Snowberry / Blue Wildrye Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This variable woodland association has only been described from the Ochoco Mountains in central Oregon. The association occurs at elevations between 1100 and 1770 m (3600-5800 feet). Sites are considered transitional between true riparian and upland and are usually flat to slightly concave. Soils are derived from alluvium, ash deposited on colluvium, or mixtures of both. They are near water sources such as streams, springs, or wet meadows. Surface horizons range from fine sandy loams to clay loams. Populus tremuloides cover ranges between 38 and 83%. Pinus ponderosa may also occur in the upper canopy but is less than 40% cover. The shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos albus which covers 7-70%. Other shrubs are markedly absent. Elymus glaucus and less commonly, Poa pratensis, may each reach 25% cover. Forbs usually associated with this community include Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Osmorhiza spp., Aquilegia formosa, Galium boreale, Galium mexicanum ssp. asperrimum, and Maianthemum stellatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus has been described from a number of other areas. This type, with Elymus glaucus as the characteristic understory dominant, appears to be restricted to central Oregon, where Populus tremuloides is not very abundant. It is possible this type is just a variant or phase of the more widespread type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Populus tremuloides is the dominant tree. In Oregon, many sampled plots appear to be on meadow invasion sites and show little evidence that Populus tremuloides is successional to conifers. Some stands are successional to Pinus contorta. Shrubs and sedges are scarce, although degraded stands of ~Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus Forest (CEGL000609)$$ might appear to belong in this community type. The shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos albus which covers 7-70%. Elymus glaucus dominates the herbaceous layer in natural occurrences. Bromus carinatus is also abundant on many sites. Common forbs include Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis (= Achillea lanulosa), ., Aquilegia formosa, Galium boreale, Galium mexicanum ssp. asperrimum (= Galium asperrimum), Geum macrophyllum, Maianthemum stellatum, Osmorhiza berteroi, Perideridia gairdneri, Ranunculus uncinatus, Veratrum californicum, Taraxacum officinale, and Ligusticum grayi.
Dynamics: With overuse by livestock, the aspen overstory is still well-stocked with aspen but aspen suckers become limited. Poa pratensis, other grasses, and forbs become codominant with Elymus glaucus. Veratrum californicum may become dominant on highly disturbed stands. With continued overuse, the aspen overstory becomes poorly stocked and overmature. Aspen suckers are absent or severely hedged; Elymus glaucus. is uncommon or absent and Poa pratensis is codominant or subordinant to forbs. Eventually aspen may be completely eliminated, converting the site to herbaceous meadows dominated by forbs such as Veratrum californicum, Osmorhiza berteroi, Maianthemum stellatum, Urtica dioica, Ranunculus uncinatus, Trifolium longipes, Thalictrum occidentale, and Galium spp. The suppression of fire has contributed to the conversion of aspen stands to lodgepole pine or herbaceous meadows. Fire can be an important tool for stimulating aspen suckers and rejuvenating deteriorated aspen stands but may need to be used in concert with protection from beaver.
Environmental Description: This association is common in the East Cascades ecoregion and in the western Blue Mountains ecoregion. Stands are usually found on the margins of well-drained basins but also occur on floodplains and toeslopes. This association tends to occur above the elevational limits of ~Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus Forest (CEGL000609)$$. Microtopography is flat to concave. Soils are variably of alluvium and/or colluvium. Surface horizons are uniformly fine-textured, ranging from fine sandy loam to clay loam. Available water capacity is moderately high to high. Water tables are within 25 cm of the soil surface in May and June and lower to more than 90 cm below the soil surface by mid July. Decomposition of aspen leaves improves soil fertility with increased nitrogen and organic matter.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to the Ochoco Mountains and southern Blue Mountains of central Oregon, in Crook and Grant counties.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689360
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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 | CEGL000946 Quaking Aspen / Common Snowberry / Blue Wildrye Woodland | CEGL000946 | 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 / Bromus carinatus Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
= Populus tremuloides / Elymus glaucus Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Elymus glaucus (Kovalchik 1987) [(p.59)]
= Populus tremuloides / Elymus glaucus Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos albus / Elymus glaucus (Kovalchik 1987) [(p.59)]
- 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.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national forests. Technical Paper 279-87. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
- Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
- Padgett, W. G. 1982. Ecology of riparian plant communities in southern Malheur National Forest. Unpublished thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 143 pp.
- Weixelman, D. A., D. C. Zamudio, and K. A. Zamudio. 1999. Eastern Sierra Nevada riparian field guide. USDA Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Sparks, NV. 92 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.