Print Report
CEGL000569 Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Thalictrum fendleri Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / Fendler''s Meadowrue Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a low- to moderate-elevation aspen forest association that occurs in the central and southern Rocky Mountains west into northeastern Nevada. Elevation ranges from 1770 to 2678 m (5800-8780 feet). It occurs on gentle slopes (<25%) on lower and midslope positions and occasionally on valley bottoms to moderately steep to steep slopes (33-65%). Aspects are variable. The soils are well-drained sandy loams to sandy clay loams. This montane deciduous forest is multi-layered and is dominated by Populus tremuloides in the tree canopy (generally >70% relative cover of tree canopy). Abies lasiocarpa or Pseudotsuga menziesii are occasionally present in small amounts (<10% cover). The undergrowth has a multi-layered structure of tall shrubs, low shrubs, and a fairly low-growing layer of herbaceous species. The association is characterized by the presence of both a tall- and short-shrub layer, and the lack of significant quantities of both tall forbs and graminoids (<10% cover, total). The most common tall shrubs are Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana. This stratum can be open and scattered but usually has at least 10% cover and is often greater than 50%. The low-shrub component, with Symphoricarpos oreophilus or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius and Rosa woodsii, is always prominent (>10% cover). Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes spp., or Spiraea betulifolia are often present to abundant. Occasionally Symphoricarpos albus replaces Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The herbaceous layer is dominated by low-growing forb species such as Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza spp., and Lupinus argenteus (generally >10% cover). Occasional tall forbs, such as Agastache urticifolia, Eucephalus engelmannii, or Senecio serra, may be present, but they never form a prominent part of the undergrowth (>10% cover). Graminoids can be present with low cover (<10%).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Mueggler (1988) includes a key to community types that may help clarify some of the USNVC aspen associations in the Intermountain Western U.S. region.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This montane deciduous forest is multi-layered. The forest canopy consists primarily of Populus tremuloides (generally >70% relative cover of tree canopy). Abies lasiocarpa or Pseudotsuga menziesii are occasionally present in small amounts (<10% cover). The undergrowth has a multi-layered structure of tall shrubs, low shrubs, and a fairly low-growing layer of herbaceous species. The association is characterized by the lack of significant amounts of cover by conifers in the tree stratum, the presence of both a tall- and short-shrub layer, and the lack of significant quantities of both tall forbs and the graminoids Bromus carinatus, Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Carex geyeri (<10% cover, total) (Mueggler 1988). The most common tall shrubs are Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana. This stratum can be open and scattered but usually has at least 10% cover and is often greater than 50%. The low-shrub component, with Symphoricarpos oreophilus or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius and Rosa woodsii, is always prominent (>10% cover). Mahonia repens, Ribes spp., or Spiraea betulifolia are often present to abundant. Occasionally Symphoricarpos albus replaces Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Some stands have high abundance of Paxistima myrsinites. The herbaceous layer is dominated by low-growing forb species such as Thalictrum fendleri, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Osmorhiza depauperata, and Lupinus argenteus (generally >10% cover). Occasional tall forbs, such as Agastache urticifolia, Senecio serra, or Eucephalus engelmannii (= Aster engelmannii), may be present, but they never form a prominent part of the undergrowth (>10% cover). Graminoids can be present with low cover (<10% cover) and include Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Carex hoodii, Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Poa pratensis, and Poa secunda.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This is a low- to moderate-elevation aspen forest association that occurs in the central and southern Rocky Mountains west into northeastern Nevada. Elevation ranges from 1770 to 2678 m (5800-8780 feet). It occurs on gentle slopes (<25%) on lower and midslope positions and occasionally on valley bottoms to moderately steep to steep slopes (33-65%). Aspects are variable and range from northerly along drainage slopes and gulches to west- and southeast-facing moderate slopes (Komarkova et al. 1988b, Mueggler 1988). The soils are well-drained sandy loams to sandy clay loams derived from a variety of parent materials, but sandstone is common. The unvegetated surface has high cover of litter and downed wood.
Geographic Range: This aspen forest association occurs in the central and southern Rocky Mountains west into northeastern Nevada and Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, NV, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689492
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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 | CEGL000569 Quaking Aspen / Saskatoon Serviceberry - Mountain Snowberry / Fendler''s Meadowrue Forest | CEGL000569 | 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 - Prunus virginiana (Johnston and Hendzel 1985) [Some of the stands match this type, others fall into the Tall Forbs type.]
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Thalictrum fendleri Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988a)
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Thalictrum fendleri Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides / Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Komarkova et al. 1988a)
- 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.
- CNHP Ecology Team [Colorado Natural Heritage Program Ecology Team]. 2001. A classification of the native vegetation of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- 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.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Johnston, B. C., and L. Hendzel. 1985. Examples of aspen treatment, succession and management in western Colorado. USDA Forest Service, Range Wildlife Fisheries and Ecology. Denver, CO. 164 pp.
- Komarkova, V. K., R. R. Alexander, and B. C. Johnston. 1988b. Forest vegetation of the Gunnison and parts of the Uncompahgre national forests: A preliminary habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-163. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 65 pp.
- Komarkova, V., A. Peters, G. Kamani, W. Jones, V. Howard, H. Gordon, and K. Southwick. 1988a. Natural recovery of plant communities on disturbance plots and history of land use in the Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes Valley, Front Range, Colorado. University of Colorado Longterm Ecological Research Working Paper 88/1. Boulder, CO. 46 pp.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.