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CEGL005979 Populus fremontii / Sparse Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont Cottonwood / Sparse Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mature riparian forest association is known from the San Francisco River watershed in New Mexico and from southeastern Utah. Large, tall and mature Populus fremontii form dense canopies (>60% cover) with only scattered representatives of other floodplain tree species. The understory is highly variable and any shrubs present do not form a proper shrub layer. Some of the more consistent species include Baccharis salicifolia, Salix exigua, and Ericameria nauseosa. The herbaceous cover is also very sparse with a wide variety of species, often introduced, disturbance-tolerant species such as Melilotus officinalis, known to exceed 1% cover. As a keystone species, the reproduction of Populus fremontii is reliant on flooding and once established a sufficient groundwater table is critical to the long-term presence of this community. Stands are found within the floodplain of large, lowland valleys at elevations around 1525 m (5000 feet). Sites are typically 1- to 3-m high alluvial terraces that are rarely flooded. Soils are deep, sandy and relatively dry.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. While plot-level documentation is limited, additional surveys are expected to further confirm this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Large, tall and mature Populus fremontii form dense canopies (>60% cover) with only scattered representatives of other floodplain tree species, such as Salix gooddingii and/or Acer negundo. The understory is highly variable and any shrubs present do not form a proper shrub layer. Some of the more consistent species include Baccharis salicifolia, Salix exigua, and Ericameria nauseosa. The herbaceous cover is also very sparse with a wide variety of species. Introduced species such as Elaeagnus angustifolia, Tamarix spp., Salsola tragus, Melilotus officinalis, and Bromus tectorum are often present in disturbed stands, but with very low cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found within the floodplain of large, lowland valleys at elevations around 1285 to 1525 m (4200-5000 feet). Sites are typically alluvial terraces that are rarely flooded (25- to 100-year recurrence interval and discharge ratios of 3.6 to 11.2). In keeping with the high landscape position, soils are deep but sandy and relatively dry (sandy and sandy-skeletal Oxyaquic Ustifluvents).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the San Francisco River watershed (Catron County) and in southeastern Utah, and probably elsewhere in southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.737519
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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 | CEGL005979 Fremont Cottonwood / Sparse Riparian Forest | CEGL005979 | 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: = Fremont Cottonwood/Sparse CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
- Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000a. Handbook of wetland vegetation communities of New Mexico. Volume I: Classification and community descriptions. Final report to the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- NHNM [Natural Heritage New Mexico]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Natural Heritage New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.