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CEGL005910 Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Heracleum maximum Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood - Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Common Cow-parsnip Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mesic, montane to lower subalpine, mixed coniferous-deciduous forest occurs in Glacier National Park, Montana, at elevations between 1370 and 1700 m (4500-5600 feet) on flat to moderate toeslopes or low slopes at variable aspects. Stands at higher elevations tend to be found on south-facing slopes. Soil texture ranges from well-drained sandy loams to moderately well-drained silty clay loams. Soils tend to be moderately well-developed and gravelly, developed on glacio-fluvial or morainal landforms. Average litter cover is 50%. This mixed evergreen-deciduous forest generally occurs in the transition zone between higher elevation Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii forests and lower elevation pure Populus tremuloides stands. Total tree canopy ranges from 30-60% with heights between 10-15 m. Populus tremuloides dominates the tree canopy with 20-40% cover. Conifer species present are variable and include Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii; the total conifer cover ranges between 3 and 40%. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa may be present with low cover. Short shrubs, averaging 0.5-2 m in height, dominate the midstory with 10-40% cover. Symphoricarpos albus and Amelanchier alnifolia are consistently present with 1-30% cover and 1-3% cover, respectively. Other dominant shrubs that may be present include Spiraea betulifolia with 3-20% cover and Rubus parviflorus with 3-10% cover. Rosa woodsii, Ribes inerme, and Sorbus scopulina may also be present with low cover. Diversity of herbaceous species and abundance is high with an average cover of 5%, ranging between 2-100%. Highly constant species include Heracleum maximum, Melica subulata, Elymus glaucus, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Thalictrum occidentale, and Angelica arguta. Some herbaceous species that may have high cover include forbs Viola glabella, Actaea rubra, Veratrum viride, Chamerion angustifolium, Prosartes trachycarpa, Geranium viscosissimum, Cirsium hookerianum, and Hackelia floribunda, and graminoids Carex geyeri, Bromus carinatus, and Melica smithii.
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 ranges from 30-60% with heights between 10-15 m. Populus tremuloides dominates the tree canopy with 20-40% cover. Conifer species present are variable and include Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii; the total conifer cover ranges between 3 and 40%. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa may be present with low cover. Short shrubs, averaging 0.5-2 m in height, dominate the midstory with 10-40% cover. Symphoricarpos albus and Amelanchier alnifolia are consistently present with 1-30% cover and 1-3% cover, respectively. Other dominant shrubs that may be present include Spiraea betulifolia with 3-20% cover and Rubus parviflorus with 3-10% cover. Rosa woodsii, Ribes inerme, and Sorbus scopulina may also be present with low cover. Diversity of herbaceous species and abundance is high with an average cover of 5%, ranging between 2-100%. Highly constant species include Heracleum maximum, Melica subulata, Elymus glaucus, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Thalictrum occidentale, and Angelica arguta. Some herbaceous species that may have high cover include forbs Viola glabella, Actaea rubra, Veratrum viride, Chamerion angustifolium, Prosartes trachycarpa (= Disporum trachycarpum), Geranium viscosissimum, Cirsium hookerianum, and Hackelia floribunda, and graminoids Carex geyeri, Bromus carinatus, and Melica smithii.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mesic, montane to lower subalpine, mixed coniferous-deciduous forest occurs at elevations between 1370 and 1700 m (4500-5600 feet) on flat to moderate toeslopes or low slopes at variable aspects. Stands at higher elevations tend to be found on south-facing slopes. Soil texture ranges from well-drained sandy loams to moderately well-drained silty clay loams. Soils tend to be moderately well-developed and gravelly, developed on glacio-fluvial or morainal landforms. Average litter cover is 50%. This mixed evergreen-deciduous forest generally occurs in the transition zone between higher elevation Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii forests and lower elevation pure Populus tremuloides stands.
Geographic Range: This mixed coniferous-deciduous forest occurs in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730808
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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 | CEGL005910 Black Cottonwood - Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Common Cow-parsnip Riparian Forest | CEGL005910 | 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 / Heracleum maximum Forest (Hop et al. 2007)
- 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.