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CEGL005906 Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood - Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Bride''s Bonnet Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is relatively uncommon on both the east and west sides of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana. This montane association occurs along flat bottomlands and alluvial terraces on the west side of Glacier National Park and on gentle valley floors to moderately steep lowslopes on the east side of the park with variable aspects. Elevations on the west side range from 970 to 1030 m (3170-3390 feet), while they range from 1300 to 1630 m (4280-5350 feet) on the east side of the park. Soil texture ranges from moderately well- to rapidly drained sand, sandy loam, and silt loam to somewhat poorly drained clay. Soils have high gravel and rock content and tend to contain red and green argillite. They are developed on alluvial, glacio-fluvial, and morainal landforms. Litter dominates the ground surface with 40-60% cover. Wood is also common with 10-30% cover. This mesic, mixed evergreen-deciduous forest occurs on both riparian bottomlands and in the transition zone between Populus tremuloides types and Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus contorta forests. Total tree cover ranges from 30-70% with heights ranging from 10-35 m. A mix of tree species dominates the overstory, including Picea engelmannii, Populus tremuloides, Pinus contorta, and Abies lasiocarpa. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Betula papyrifera, and Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa are infrequently scattered in the subcanopy. Tall shrubs are present in most stands with 30-50% cover. Amelanchier alnifolia and Rubus parviflorus are the most common shrubs. Other shrubs include Acer glabrum, Menziesia ferruginea, and Sorbus scopulina. Salix scouleriana and Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata are low-constancy shrubs that may have high cover. The herbaceous cover ranges from 20-50% and is dominated by native forbs. Arnica cordifolia and Xerophyllum tenax have the highest individual cover with 1-20% cover. Other species include Clintonia uniflora, Thalictrum occidentale, Viola orbiculata, Orthilia secunda, Eurybia conspicua, Fragaria virginiana, and Picea engelmannii seedlings. Less infrequent herbs include Chimaphila umbellata, Elymus glaucus, Aralia nudicaulis, Prosartes trachycarpa, Heracleum maximum, Athyrium filix-femina, Equisetum arvense, Packera pseudaurea, and Pteridium aquilinum. Nonvascular plants have 5-10% cover.
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 cover ranges from 30-70% with heights ranging from 10-35 m. A mix of tree species dominates the overstory, including Picea engelmannii, Populus tremuloides, Pinus contorta, and Abies lasiocarpa. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Betula papyrifera, and Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa are infrequently scattered in the subcanopy. Tall shrubs are present in most stands with 30-50% cover. Amelanchier alnifolia and Rubus parviflorus are the most common shrubs. Other shrubs include Acer glabrum, Menziesia ferruginea, and Sorbus scopulina. Salix scouleriana and Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata are low-constancy shrubs that may have high cover. The herbaceous cover ranges from 20-50% and is dominated by native forbs. Arnica cordifolia and Xerophyllum tenax have the highest individual cover with 1-20% cover. Other species include Clintonia uniflora, Thalictrum occidentale, Viola orbiculata, Orthilia secunda, Eurybia conspicua (= Aster conspicuus), Fragaria virginiana, and Picea engelmannii seedlings. Less infrequent herbs include Chimaphila umbellata, Elymus glaucus, Aralia nudicaulis, Prosartes trachycarpa (= Disporum trachycarpum), Heracleum maximum, Athyrium filix-femina, Equisetum arvense, Packera pseudaurea (= Senecio pseudaureus), and Pteridium aquilinum. Nonvascular plants have 5-10% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This montane association occurs along flat bottomlands and alluvial terraces on the west side of Glacier National Park and on gentle valley floors to moderately steep lowslopes on the east side of the park with variable aspects. Elevations on the west side range from 970 to 1030 m (3170-3390 feet), while they range from 1300 to 1630 m (4280-5350 feet) on the east side of the park. Soil texture ranges from moderately well- to rapidly drained sand, sandy loam, and silt loam to somewhat poorly drained clay. Soils have high gravel and rock content and tend to contain red and green argillite. They are developed on alluvial, glacio-fluvial, and morainal landforms. Litter dominates the ground surface with 40-60% cover. Wood is also common with 10-30% cover. This mesic, mixed evergreen-deciduous forest occurs on both riparian bottomlands and in the transition zone between Populus tremuloides types and Pseudotsuga menziesii or Pinus contorta forests.
Geographic Range: This association is relatively uncommon on both the east and west sides of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, ID?, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730789
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c Northern Rocky Mountain Lowland-Foothill Riparian Forest Group | G796 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A0311 Black Cottonwood Northern Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance | A0311 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005906 Black Cottonwood - Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Bride''s Bonnet Riparian Forest | CEGL005906 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Forest (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.