Print Report
CEGL000612 Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a common aspen forest type and is known from much of eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, northern Nevada, and occurs as far south as the Abajo Mountains in Utah. Stands occur on slopes that are gentle to moderately steep, on any exposure, but never along stream bottoms. Elevation ranges from 1829 to 2438 m (6000-8000 feet). The undergrowth of this association is much less complex than that in ~Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forbs Forest (CEGL000615)$$. Both types have three strata, but the herbaceous undergrowth is comparatively simple and dominated by graminoids. Conifers, if present, are varied but never in abundance. Species include Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Pinus flexilis. However, many stands lack conifer presence. A low-shrub layer is prominent and is usually dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Other low shrubs that can also be abundant are Rosa woodsii, Paxistima myrsinites, Symphoricarpos albus, Shepherdia canadensis, or Mahonia repens. Tall shrubs such as Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana are frequently present but never abundant. The herbaceous layer is thick and dominated by graminoids. Calamagrostis rubescens is in high abundance and is always present. Carex geyeri is also sometimes present and is considered an indicator of the type. Other graminoids frequently present are Elymus glaucus, Poa pratensis, and Elymus trachycaulus. Several forbs are usually present, but never in such abundance as the graminoid species. Forbs species include Geranium viscosissimum, Galium boreale, Lupinus argenteus, Thalictrum fendleri, and Osmorhiza berteroi.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The undergrowth of this association is much less complex than that in ~Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Tall Forbs Forest (CEGL000615)$$. Both types have three strata, but the herbaceous undergrowth is comparatively simple and dominated by graminoids. Conifers, if present, are varied but never in abundance. Species include Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Pinus flexilis. Many stands lack conifer presence. A low-shrub layer is prominent and is usually dominated by Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Other low shrubs that can also be abundant are Rosa woodsii, Paxistima myrsinites, Symphoricarpos albus, Shepherdia canadensis, or Mahonia repens. Tall shrubs such as Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana are frequently present but never abundant. The herbaceous layer is thick and dominated by graminoids. Calamagrostis rubescens is in high abundance and is always present. Carex geyeri is also sometimes present and is considered an indicator of the type. Other graminoids frequently present are Elymus glaucus, Poa pratensis, and Elymus trachycaulus (= Agropyron trachycaulum). Several forbs are usually present, but never in such abundance as the graminoid species. Forbs species include Geranium viscosissimum, Galium boreale, Lupinus argenteus, Thalictrum fendleri, and Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This is a common aspen forest type and is known from much of eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, northern Nevada, and occurs as far south as the Abajo Mountains in Utah. Stands occur on slopes that are gentle to moderately steep, on any exposure, but never along stream bottoms. Elevation ranges from 1829 to 2438 m (6000-8000 feet).
Geographic Range: This association is known from throughout eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689855
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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 | CEGL000612 Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest | CEGL000612 | 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 / Pachistima myrsinites - Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
= Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia - Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
< Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Minor part ...are now in this type."]
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986) ["Part of the stands included are now in this type."]
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) [Part of the stands here belong to Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens.]
= Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest (Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest) (Bell et al. 2009)
= Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia - Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981)
< Populus tremuloides / Spiraea betulifolia Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) ["Minor part ...are now in this type."]
= Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Community Type (Mueggler 1988)
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Community Type (Mueggler and Campbell 1986) ["Part of the stands included are now in this type."]
< Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri Community Type (Youngblood and Mueggler 1981) [Part of the stands here belong to Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens.]
= Quaking Aspen / Mountain Snowberry / Pinegrass Forest (Populus tremuloides / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Calamagrostis rubescens Forest) (Bell et al. 2009)
- Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
- 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. 1986. Aspen community types of Utah. Research Paper INT-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- 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.