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CEGL000542 Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - (Populus tremuloides) / Heracleum maximum Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood - (Quaking Aspen) / Common Cow-parsnip Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been described from the foothills of the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana. It is found on the bottoms of narrow mountain valleys, intra- and inter-morainal depressions, areas possibly underlain by clay lenses, and fringing kettle lakes, from 1372-1678 m (4500-5500 feet) elevation. These sites have gentle slopes and occur on all aspects. Sites on southerly aspects are typically moist mountain slopes where soil moisture is probably augmented by subsurface flow. Soils are derived from alluvium (some deposited by slopewash), colluvium, or eolian materials derived from sedimentary rock types and layered over morainal drift. Soils are seasonally saturated and have relatively high organic matter. This forest association is dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, with Populus tremuloides usually present. Where both species are present, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa has at least 1-5% cover, and is the indicator species for this association. Occasional individuals of Picea engelmannii and Pseudotsuga menziesii occur, but seedlings of these species are rare. The understory is characterized by a low-shrub layer composed of patches of Symphoricarpos albus. Amelanchier alnifolia and Mahonia repens occur in most stands, but are typically not abundant. The herbaceous layer is diverse, well-developed and composed of species indicative of mesic conditions. Important perennial forbs include Osmorhiza occidentalis, Heracleum maximum, Actaea rubra, Galium triflorum, Viola canadensis, and Angelica arguta. Other forbs of high constancy are Thalictrum occidentale, Fragaria virginiana, Maianthemum stellatum, Geranium viscosissimum, Geranium richardsonii, and Packera pseudaurea. On sites that are transitional to those with permanently saturated soils, Equisetum arvense, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Calamagrostis canadensis become more important.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa generally has a narrower ecological amplitude and better serves as a diagnostic species for this association. This distinguishes it from ~Populus tremuloides / Heracleum maximum Forest (CEGL000595)$$ which is always (nearly) pure aspen and no poplar.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest association is dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (= Populus trichocarpa), with Populus tremuloides usually present. Both species root sprout following disturbance to produce relatively even-aged stands, but where both are present, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa has at least 1-5% cover, and is the indicator species for this association. Occasional individuals of the conifers Picea engelmannii and Pseudotsuga menziesii occur, but seedlings of these species are rare. The understory is characterized by a low-shrub layer composed of patches of the deciduous Symphoricarpos albus. Amelanchier alnifolia and Mahonia repens (= Berberis repens) occur in most stands, but are typically not abundant. The herbaceous layer is diverse, well-developed and composed of species indicative of mesic conditions. Important perennial forbs include Osmorhiza occidentalis, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Actaea rubra, Galium triflorum, Viola canadensis, and Angelica arguta. Other forbs of high constancy are Thalictrum occidentale, Fragaria virginiana, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Geranium viscosissimum, Geranium richardsonii, and Packera pseudaurea (= Senecio pseudaureus). On sites that are transitional to those with permanently saturated soils, Equisetum arvense, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Calamagrostis canadensis become more important. The exotic perennial grass Phleum pratense is present in most stands and abundant on sites disturbed by grazing and other activities.
Dynamics: The absence of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa from some stands is apparently due to the chance dissemination of seed at the time of stand initiation, and not to differences in site characteristics. This association is important for big game summer and winter range.
Environmental Description: This association is found in the eastern foothills of a mountainous region, from about 1280 to 1680 m (4190-5500 feet) elevation, intergrading with montane coniferous forests. Much of the region was glaciated during the Pleistocene by both Cordilleran ice sheets and mountain glaciers. Deposits of morainal material and glacial till occur throughout the region. The climate is strongly influenced by the Continental Divide to the west (the ridgeline of the Rockies) and the continental interior to the east. Summers are very warm, while winters can be very cold, and strong downslope winds can create chinooks (warm, drying winds). Precipitation falls primarily from April to September, up to one-third of the annual total in May and June. Total annual precipitation averages between 254 and 508 mm (10-20 inches).
This association is found on the bottoms of narrow mountain valleys, intra- and inter-morainal depressions, areas possibly underlain by clay lenses, and fringing kettle lakes. These sites have gentle slopes and occur on all aspects. Sites on southerly aspects are typically moist mountain slopes where soil moisture is probably augmented by subsurface flow. Small streams, shallow channels, and dry streambeds run through some stands. Soils are derived from alluvium (some deposited by slopewash), colluvium, or eolian materials derived from sedimentary rock types and layered over morainal drift. The soils are relatively gravel free, typically to at least 80 cm in depth, and loamy in texture, with relatively high organic matter. They are seasonally saturated. There is no exposed soil or rock on the ground surface; the duff and litter layer ranges from 1 to 9.5 cm deep.
This association is found on the bottoms of narrow mountain valleys, intra- and inter-morainal depressions, areas possibly underlain by clay lenses, and fringing kettle lakes. These sites have gentle slopes and occur on all aspects. Sites on southerly aspects are typically moist mountain slopes where soil moisture is probably augmented by subsurface flow. Small streams, shallow channels, and dry streambeds run through some stands. Soils are derived from alluvium (some deposited by slopewash), colluvium, or eolian materials derived from sedimentary rock types and layered over morainal drift. The soils are relatively gravel free, typically to at least 80 cm in depth, and loamy in texture, with relatively high organic matter. They are seasonally saturated. There is no exposed soil or rock on the ground surface; the duff and litter layer ranges from 1 to 9.5 cm deep.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from the foothills of the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana, including on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. It extends farther north along the eastern slope into Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689415
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.c Northern Rocky Mountain Lowland-Foothill Riparian Forest Group | G796 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A0311 Black Cottonwood Northern Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance | A0311 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000542 Black Cottonwood - (Quaking Aspen) / Common Cow-parsnip Riparian Forest | CEGL000542 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- Allen, L. 2012-2013. Alberta Conservation Information Management System Ecological Community Tracking List. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Edmonton, AB. [http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/default.aspx]
- 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.
- Cooper, S., and R. Pfister. 1981. Forest habitat types of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Review Draft, 5/21/81, for Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wind River Agency, Fort Washakie, WY.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Lynch, D. 1955. Ecology of the aspen groveland in Glacier County, Montana. Ecological Monographs 25:321-344.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.