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CEGL000661 Populus fremontii Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont Cottonwood Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This riparian cottonwood forest is characterized in mature stands by a dense canopy of the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus fremontii, with heights of 20-25 m. Cover is variable, dependent upon the age of the stand, but averages well over 60% and occasionally is over 90%. A smaller (to 15 m tall), broad-leaved deciduous tree, Salix gooddingii, is usually present with low cover (averaging <15%). Broad-leaved deciduous shrubs are found scattered in the understory, but total cover of this layer is typically less than 10%. Amorpha fruticosa is the only shrub found under the dense tree canopy, while Baccharis salicifolia and Salix exigua are more commonly found near the riverbanks or under less dense canopies. The herbaceous layer is sparse; in the spring the perennial forb Anemopsis californica is the dominant species. The perennial graminoids Distichlis spicata and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis are usually present, but not abundant. Litter layers on the ground surface are thick, ranging from 2-15 cm deep. Many mature stands of this association have a significant component of the exotic, invasive tree Elaeagnus angustifolia, sometimes codominant with the cottonwood. The introduced forb Melilotus officinalis is abundant in the understory. Young stands are often codominated by cottonwoods and the invasive, exotic tall shrub Tamarix chinensis, which gradually becomes less abundant under more mature, dense stands of cottonwood. This association occurs primarily along the valley floor of a large river in central and southern New Mexico, from 1524 m to near 2134 m (5000-7000 feet) elevation. It is also reported from relatively flat floodplains along low-gradient rivers in Arizona. Relatively flat floodplains have developed on the valley floors consisting of alluvial materials deposited by tributaries. On the Rio Grande, from the vicinity of Albuquerque south, the river drops an average of 1.5 m (5 feet) per mile. The climate of this region is typically hot and arid. There is great fluctuation in precipitation between wet and dry years, but the annual average is 20 cm (7.9 inches). Periodic droughts can result in the rivers becoming dry, while spring flooding results in very high water tables and much deposition of silt and sands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Compare this association with Szaro''s (1989) Populus fremontii type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This riparian cottonwood forest is characterized in mature stands by a dense canopy of the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus fremontii, with heights of 20-25 m. Cover is variable, dependent upon the age of the stand, but averages well over 60% and occasionally is over 90%. A smaller (to 15 m tall), broad-leaved deciduous tree, Salix gooddingii, is usually present with low cover (averaging <15%). Broad-leaved deciduous shrubs are found scattered in the understory, but total cover of this layer is typically less than 10%. Amorpha fruticosa is the only shrub found under the dense tree canopy, while Baccharis salicifolia and Salix exigua are more commonly found near the riverbanks or under less dense canopies. The herbaceous layer is sparse; in the spring the perennial forb Anemopsis californica is the dominant species. The perennial graminoids Distichlis spicata and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus) are usually present, but not abundant. Litter layers on the ground surface are thick, ranging from 2-15 cm deep. Many mature stands of this association have a significant component of the exotic, invasive tree Elaeagnus angustifolia, sometimes codominant with the cottonwood. The introduced forb Melilotus officinalis (= Melilotus albus) is abundant in the understory. Young stands are often codominated by cottonwoods and the invasive, exotic tall shrub Tamarix chinensis, which gradually becomes less abundant under more mature, dense stands of cottonwood.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs primarily along the valley floor of a large river in central and southern New Mexico, from 1524 m to near 2134 m (5000-7000 feet) elevation. It is also reported from relatively flat floodplains along low-gradient rivers in Arizona. Relatively flat floodplains have developed on the valley floors consisting of alluvial materials deposited by tributaries. On the Rio Grande, from the vicinity of Albuquerque south, the river drops an average of 1.5 m (5 feet) per mile. The climate of this region is typically hot and arid. There is great fluctuation in precipitation between wet and dry years, but the annual average is 20 cm (7.9 inches). Periodic droughts can result in the rivers becoming dry, while spring flooding results in very high water tables and much deposition of silt and sands.
This association is found on the most mesic or hydric floodplain sites along these rivers. Soils are somewhat alkaline and derived from alluvial materials, deposited in stratified layers of clays, sands, silts and gravels. Soil textures were variable, but clays are reported to be the most common. Water tables are high throughout the year, with surface flooding during the spring months. Populus fremontii requires particular flood regimes for germination and establishment (Stromberg et al. 1991).
This association is found on the most mesic or hydric floodplain sites along these rivers. Soils are somewhat alkaline and derived from alluvial materials, deposited in stratified layers of clays, sands, silts and gravels. Soil textures were variable, but clays are reported to be the most common. Water tables are high throughout the year, with surface flooding during the spring months. Populus fremontii requires particular flood regimes for germination and establishment (Stromberg et al. 1991).
Geographic Range: It has been best described from central New Mexico along the Rio Grande river corridor, and from a few scattered localities along rivers elsewhere in the state. It is also reported from southern and central Arizona.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689866
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division | D013 | 1.B.3.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nd.2 Interior Warm & Cool Desert Riparian Forest Macrogroup | M036 | 1.B.3.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b Western Interior Riparian Forest & Woodland Group | G797 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Alliance | A3803 Fremont Cottonwood - Velvet Ash - Goodding''s Willow Riparian Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3803 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000661 Fremont Cottonwood Riparian Forest | CEGL000661 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Populus fremontii type (Szaro 1989)
- 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.
- Campbell, C. J., and W. A. Dick-Peddie. 1964. Comparison of phreatophyte communities on the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Ecology 45:492-501.
- Stromberg, J. C. 1993a. Fremont cottonwood-Goodding willow riparian forests: A review of their ecology, threats, and recovery potential. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 27(1):97-110.
- Stromberg, J. C., D. T. Patten, and B. D. Richter. 1991. Flood flows and dynamics of Sonoran riparian forests. Rivers 2(3):221-235.
- Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
- Watson, J. R. 1912. Plant geography of north central New Mexico: Contributions from the Hull Botanical Laboratory. Botanical Gazette 54:194-217.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.