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CEGL000594 Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Creeping Barberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This widespread aspen association occurs in the southern and middle Rocky Mountains and Black Hills in a variety of habitats. Stands occur along streams, in upland ravines and on gentle to moderately steep slopes. At lower elevations, stands tend to occur along drainages on cooler northerly aspects, whereas at higher elevation, stands are more upland and northern aspects are uncommon. Elevations range from 920-1200 m (3020-3940 feet) in the hills in eastern Montana and southwestern North Dakota to 1450-2892 m (4750-9480 feet) in the Black Hills and Rocky Mountains. The vegetation is characterized by an open to dense (20-86% cover) tree canopy dominated by 10- to 15-m tall Populus tremuloides. Scattered Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer negundo, or invading conifers, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, Pinus flexilis, Pinus ponderosa, or Picea glauca, may occur in the tree canopy and shrub layers. The dwarf-shrub Mahonia repens is consistently present and typically dominates the understory with between 5-25% cover. Scattered taller shrubs may be present and include Acer grandidentatum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, Rubus idaeus, Spiraea lucida, Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. Quercus gambelii, if present, has less than 5% cover. The mixed grass and forb herbaceous layer is provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoid or forb species include Symphyotrichum laeve, Bromus anomalus, Bromus ciliatus, Carex sprengelii, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus virginicus, Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Lathyrus ochroleucus, Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus argenteus, Maianthemum stellatum, Oryzopsis asperifolia, and Thalictrum dasycarpum. The introduced perennial grass Poa pratensis may provide moderate cover (30-40%) in some stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There is a significant variation in stands classified to this association and some overlap with other classifications (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981, Mueggler 1988). Additional vegetation classification work is needed to clarify the relationship between similar associations in the western U.S.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense (20-45% cover) tree canopy dominated by 10- to 15-m tall Populus tremuloides. Scattered Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer negundo, or invading conifers, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta, Pinus flexilis, Pinus ponderosa, or Picea glauca, may occur in the tree canopy and shrub layers. The dwarf-shrub Mahonia repens is consistently present and typically dominates the understory with between 5-25% cover. Scattered taller shrubs may be present and include Acer grandidentatum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, Rubus idaeus, Spiraea lucida, Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. Quercus gambelii, if present, has less than 5% cover. The mixed grass and forb herbaceous layer provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoid or forb species include Symphyotrichum laeve (= Aster laevis), Bromus anomalus, Bromus ciliatus, Carex sprengelii, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus virginicus, Galium boreale, Geranium richardsonii, Lathyrus ochroleucus, Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus argenteus, Maianthemum stellatum, Oryzopsis asperifolia, and Thalictrum dasycarpum. The introduced perennial grass Poa pratensis may provide moderate cover (30-40%) in some stands.
Dynamics: Livestock grazing tends in increase the amount and abundance of introduces species such as Poa pratensis, Monarda fistulosa, and Taraxacum officinale (Hansen and Hoffman 1988, Hansen et al. 1995).
Environmental Description: This widespread aspen association occurs in the southern and middle Rocky Mountains and Black Hills in a variety of habitats. Stands occur along streams, in upland ravines and on gentle to moderately steep slopes. At lower elevations, stands tend to occur along drainages on cooler northerly aspects, whereas at higher elevations, stands are more upland and northern aspects are uncommon. Elevations range from 920-1200 m (3020-3940 feet) in the hills in eastern Montana and southwestern North Dakota to 1450-2892 m (4750-9480 feet) in the Black Hills and Rocky Mountains. Soils are variable and range from coarse, poorly consolidated colluvium sandstones to glacial tills and alluvial benches. In the Black Hills, substrates are often derived from limestone or sandstone-shale-limestone conglomerate. Soil texture is often loam or sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This widespread aspen association occurs in the southern and middle Rocky Mountains and Black Hills from western Colorado to western Montana, in northeastern Wyoming, southeastern Montana and western South Dakota, and southwestern North Dakota.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, ND, SD, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689780
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 | CEGL000594 Quaking Aspen / Creeping Barberry Forest | CEGL000594 | 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 / Berberis repens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
= Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
= Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Habitat Type (Hansen and Hoffman 1988)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens / Oryzopsis asperifolia Association (Severson and Thilenius 1976)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens Community (Jones 1992b)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< Populus tremuloides / Thalictrum fendleri Community Type (Mueggler 1988) [Mueggler included a major part of the Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) (western Wyoming) in the concept of this community type from the USFS Intermountain Region (39% of 92 plots had Mahonia repens present with an average cover of 9%).]
= Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
= Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Habitat Type (Hansen and Hoffman 1988)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens / Oryzopsis asperifolia Association (Severson and Thilenius 1976)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens Community (Jones 1992b)
= Populus tremuloides / Mahonia repens Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< Populus tremuloides / Thalictrum fendleri Community Type (Mueggler 1988) [Mueggler included a major part of the Populus tremuloides / Berberis repens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) (western Wyoming) in the concept of this community type from the USFS Intermountain Region (39% of 92 plots had Mahonia repens present with an average cover of 9%).]
- 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.
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- Hansen, P. L., and G. R. Hoffman. 1988. The vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest: A habitat type classification. General Technical Report RM-157. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 68 pp.
- Hansen, P., K. Boggs, and R. Pfister. 1991. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in Montana. Unpublished draft version prepared for Montana Riparian Association, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula. 478 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Jones, G. 1992b. Wyoming plant community classification (Draft). Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. 183 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- 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.
- Severson, K. E., and J. F. Thilenius. 1976. Classification of quaking aspen stands in the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains. Research Paper RM-166. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 24 pp.
- Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 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.
- Youngblood, A. P., and W. F. Mueggler. 1981. Aspen community types on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. Research Paper INT-272. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 34 pp.