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CEGL000595 Populus tremuloides / Heracleum maximum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Common Cow-parsnip Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been extensively documented from the East Front of the Rocky Mountains of Montana and into Alberta, on sites ranging from 1290-1750 m (4200-5750 feet). It occurs as small- to large-patch types in narrow mountain valleys, glacial moraine depressions underlain by clay lenses and often filled with loessal soils, lee slope position also having deep loess deposits, springs or seeps on hillslopes, and as a fringe about glacial kettle lakes. The overstory is dominated by Populus tremuloides with an occasional Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and seedling/saplings of several conifer species scattered and showing little potential to eventually dominate. The dominant aspect of the undergrowth is that of a rich assortment of tall forbs, but occasionally Symphoricarpos albus comprises a conspicuous layer below the forbs. Forbs both diagnostic and usually dominant in various combinations include Osmorhiza occidentalis, Angelica arguta (or Angelica dawsonii), Heracleum maximum, Geranium richardsonii, Viola canadensis, Veratrum viride, Galium triflorum, and Actaea rubra. Among the tall graminoids, Elymus glaucus often has the greatest canopy cover and highest constancy; others include Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis canadensis, Schizachne purpurascens, and Cinna latifolia. This type appears to be a self-perpetuating community as inferred by tree population age-class structure. Charcoal has not been found in the soil of these sites which indicates a lack of fire and points to long-term site occupancy by Populus tremuloides in a landscape where the prevailing model of succession predicts (erroneously) these sites to be eventually dominated by conifers. Conifers establish, if at all, at a glacial rate. This association is considered premier grizzly bear habitat in the spring and early summer and excellent wildlife habitat in general.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: We are now separating what were once very similar types by the predominant tree canopy. Stands dominated by Populus tremuloides with only an occasional Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa belong here (CEGL000595), and stands dominated by the cottonwood mixed with aspen belong in ~Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - (Populus tremuloides) / Heracleum maximum Riparian Forest (CEGL000542)$$. This forest (CEGL000595) is different from ~Populus tremuloides / Tall Forbs Forest (CEGL000618)$$ (from the Intermountain Region), both geographically and compositionally.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory is dominated by Populus tremuloides with an occasional Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa. Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta, and Pseudotsuga menziesii, are sometimes present with low cover. The dominant aspect of the undergrowth is that of a rich assortment of tall forbs, but occasionally Symphoricarpos albus comprises a conspicuous layer below the forbs. Tall shrubs may also be present such as Amelanchier alnifolia, but rarely comprising more than 10-15% cover. Forbs both diagnostic and usually dominant in various combinations include Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum),with often as much as 80% cover, on average, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Angelica arguta (or Angelica dawsonii), Geranium richardsonii, Viola canadensis, Veratrum viride, Galium triflorum, and Actaea rubra. Among the tall graminoids, Elymus glaucus often has the greatest canopy cover and highest constancy; others include Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis canadensis, Schizachne purpurascens, and Cinna latifolia.
Dynamics: This type appears to be a self-perpetuating community as inferred by tree population age-class structure. Charcoal has not been found in the soil of these sites which indicates a lack of fire and points to long-term site occupancy by Populus tremuloides in a landscape where the prevailing model of succession predicts (erroneously) these sites to be eventually dominated by conifers. Conifers establish, if at all, at a glacial rate. This association is considered premier grizzly bear habitat in the spring and early summer and excellent wildlife habitat in general.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on sites ranging from 1290-1750 m (4200-5750 feet). It occurs as small- to large-patch types in narrow mountain valleys, glacial moraine depressions underlain by clay lenses and often filled with loessal soils, lee slope position also having deep loess deposits, springs or seeps on hillslopes, and as a fringe about glacial kettle lakes. Soils are dark and well-developed sandy loam or clay loam. Soils vary from very little or no rocks and gravel, to very gravelly and rocky. The moisture regime is subhygric to mesic, but sites are only infrequently temporarily flooded or poorly drained and fed by seeps.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the northernmost U.S. portion of the East Front of the Rocky Mountains on sites ranging from 1550-1750 m (5080-5750 feet) and may extend into adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT, SK?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689815
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 | CEGL000595 Quaking Aspen / Common Cow-parsnip Forest | CEGL000595 | 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 / Osmorhiza occidentalis Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [(p.239)]
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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. V. 1981. Forest habitat types of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Final Report. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 87 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., and B. L. Heidel. 1997. Population status and ecology of trembling aspen and black cottonwood communities on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Prepared for the Blackfeet Nation-Fish and Wildlife Department and the USDI Fish & Wildlife Service by Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.
- 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., 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.
- 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.
- 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.