Print Report
CEGL005904 Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Paper Birch - Conifer / Bride''s Bonnet Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is locally common on moderate to steep slopes on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. This mesic, montane association is located on moderately steep to very steep toeslopes to midslopes with mostly south and east aspects. Elevations range between 1000 and 1190 m (3300-3900 feet). Soils are moderately well- to well-drained sandy or silty loams or clay loams. Litter comprises 40-90% of the ground cover. This mixed conifer-deciduous forest occurs as a result of disturbance, either fire or avalanche. Total tree canopy cover ranges from 5-60% with heights between 5-35 m; some emergent trees may reach heights of 50 m. Betula papyrifera and Pseudotsuga menziesii codominate the canopy layer, each with 3-30% cover. Trees tend to range in age from 30 to 65 years. Larix occidentalis may also be common, while Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii remain scattered in the overstory with low constancy. Tall-shrub cover is high, ranging from 20-50% with heights mostly measuring 1-5 m. Acer glabrum and Amelanchier alnifolia dominate the tall-shrub layer with 1-20% cover. Rubus parviflorus and Cornus sericea are also common; other common shrubs with lower cover include Lonicera utahensis, Salix scouleriana, and Holodiscus discolor. Taxus brevifolia, Ribes lacustre, and Sorbus scopulina may be present in certain areas with moderate to high cover. Short-shrub cover ranges from 1-30% with heights from less than 0.5 to 1m. Symphoricarpos albus and Paxistima myrsinites are the most common short shrubs, while Spiraea betulifolia, Vaccinium membranaceum, and Shepherdia canadensis are often also present with low cover. The herbaceous cover ranges from 10-50%. The presence of Clintonia uniflora is the indicator for this association, even if other herbaceous species have higher cover. Other common forbs include Aralia nudicaulis, Prosartes hookeri, and Viola orbiculata with 1-25% cover. Other high-constancy species include Adenocaulon bicolor, Bromus vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Osmorhiza berteroi, and Elymus glaucus with 1-3% cover. Nonvascular cover is low (0-5%).
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: Total tree canopy cover ranges from 5-60% with heights between 5-35 m; some emergent trees may reach heights of 50 m. Betula papyrifera and Pseudotsuga menziesii codominate the canopy layer, each with 3-30% cover. Trees tend to range in age from 30 to 65 years. Larix occidentalis may also be common, while Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii remain scattered in the overstory with low constancy. Tall-shrub cover is high, ranging from 20-50% with heights mostly measuring 1-5 m. Acer glabrum and Amelanchier alnifolia dominate the tall-shrub layer with 1-20% cover. Rubus parviflorus and Cornus sericea are also common; other common shrubs with lower cover include Lonicera utahensis, Salix scouleriana, and Holodiscus discolor. Taxus brevifolia, Ribes lacustre, and Sorbus scopulina may be present in certain areas with moderate to high cover. Short-shrub cover ranges from 1-30% with heights from less than 0.5 to 1m. Symphoricarpos albus and Paxistima myrsinites are the most common short shrubs, while Spiraea betulifolia, Vaccinium membranaceum, and Shepherdia canadensis are often also present with low cover. The herbaceous cover ranges from 10-50%. The presence of Clintonia uniflora is the indicator for this association, even if other herbaceous species have higher cover. Other common forbs include Aralia nudicaulis, Prosartes hookeri (= Disporum hookeri), and Viola orbiculata with 1-25% cover. Other high-constancy species include Adenocaulon bicolor, Bromus vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Osmorhiza berteroi, and Elymus glaucus with 1-3% cover. Nonvascular cover is low (0-5%).
Dynamics: This mixed conifer-deciduous forest occurs as a result of disturbance, either fire or avalanche.
Environmental Description: This mesic, montane association is located on moderately steep to very steep toeslopes to midslopes with mostly south and east aspects. Elevations range between 1000 and 1190 m (3300-3900 feet). Soils are moderately well- to well-drained sandy or silty loams or clay loams. Litter comprises 40-90% of the ground cover.
Geographic Range: This association is locally common on moderate to steep slopes on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, ID, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730778
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Western Hemlock - Grand Fir - Western Larch Mesic Lower Montane Forest Macrogroup | M500 | 1.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a Grand Fir - Douglas-fir - Western Larch Central Rocky Mountain Forest Group | G211 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3362 Grand Fir - Douglas-fir Central Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3362 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL005904 Paper Birch - Conifer / Bride''s Bonnet Woodland | CEGL005904 | 1.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland (Hop et al. 2007)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
- 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.