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CEGL000538 Populus tremuloides - Pinus contorta / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Lodgepole Pine / Mountain Snowberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mixed deciduous-evergreen association appears to be adapted to a wide range of environments. It occurs at elevations ranging from 1740 to 2990 m (5700-9800 feet) and does not appear confined by slope, exposure or soil parent materials. Populus tremuloides forms the dominant overstory canopy with an average cover of 55%. Pinus contorta is the only prominent conifer in the tree layer, always present with 22% average cover. Other conifers with less cover include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea pungens, and Abies lasiocarpa. Seedlings of both aspen and lodgepole are also usually present. The low-shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus with 10-30% cover. Other shrubs present include Shepherdia canadensis, Rosa woodsii, or Paxistima myrsinites. Tall shrubs such as Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana may be present but in low abundance, never forming a distinct layer. The herbaceous undergrowth is generally dominated by graminoids such as Calamagrostis rubescens and Carex geyeri. A variety of forbs are usually present; most frequent are Thalictrum fendleri, Lupinus argenteus, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi, and Chamerion angustifolium. The undergrowth may not be abundant but is usually quite diverse.
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: Populus tremuloides forms the dominant overstory canopy with an average cover of 55%. Pinus contorta is the only prominent conifer in the tree layer, always present with 22% average cover. Other conifers with less cover include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea pungens, and Abies lasiocarpa. Seedlings of both aspen and lodgepole are also usually present. The low-shrub layer is dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus with 10-30% cover. Other shrubs present include Shepherdia canadensis, Rosa woodsii, or Paxistima myrsinites. Tall shrubs such as Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana may be present but in low abundance, never forming a distinct layer. The herbaceous undergrowth is generally dominated by graminoids such as Calamagrostis rubescens and Carex geyeri. A variety of forbs are usually present; most frequent are Thalictrum fendleri, Lupinus argenteus, Geranium viscosissimum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), and Chamerion angustifolium. The undergrowth may not be abundant but is usually quite diverse.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mixed deciduous-evergreen association appears to be adapted to a wide range of environments. It occurs at elevations ranging from 1700 to 3000 m (5700-9800 feet) and does not appear confined by slope, exposure or soil parent materials.
Geographic Range: This association is known to occur in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689609
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.a Lodgepole Pine Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G220 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Alliance | A0424 Lodgepole Pine - Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Forest Alliance | A0424 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
| Association | CEGL000538 Quaking Aspen - Lodgepole Pine / Mountain Snowberry Forest | CEGL000538 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - Pinus contorta / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1982) [These stands have Symphoricarpos oreophilus in 40% of the stands with 16% average cover, and Mueggler (1988) states they are equivalent to the Populus tremuloides - Pinus contorta / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type.]
= Populus tremuloides - Pinus contorta / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
= Populus tremuloides - Pinus contorta / Symphoricarpos oreophilus 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.
- Mueggler, W. F., and R. B. Campbell, Jr. 1982. Aspen community types on the Caribou and Targhee national forests in southeastern Idaho. Research Paper INT-294. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 32 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.