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CEGL005977 Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) / Sporobolus airoides Flooded Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Rio Grande Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood) / Alkali Sacaton Flooded Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is common in the Pecos basin in southeastern New Mexico and occasional in the middle and lower Rio Grande. This community type occurs primarily along the broad valley floors of large river drainages with low-gradient and sandy or silty riverbeds. Elevations are relatively low and are known to range from 1080 to 1400 m (3550-4575 feet). This community occurs mainly on low river terraces that are situated well above stream bankfull levels (discharge ratio well above 1). Under unregulated conditions, these sites are probably inundated every 20 years on average. Where rivers are highly regulated, these sites are seldom flooded. The soils are young, poorly developed Entisols that may be sandy throughout or have sandy or coarse loamy layers overlain by fine clay layers. They are moderate to well-drained. Soils are generally dry at the surface but become more moist with depth (1 m or more), particularly during seasonal high flows. Mature stands of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni or Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera have open to moderately open canopies with a grassy understory. Other trees are generally absent. The exotic Tamarix ramosissima can occur as scattered shrubby individuals. Herbaceous diversity is moderate (44 species), and Sporobolus airoides dominates with 30% cover on average and upwards to as much as 50%. The shrub layer is sparse to well-represented with Baccharis emoryi often common, and occasionally Ericameria nauseosa and Gutierrezia sarothrae are present. Forbs are sparse and low to moderate in diversity (24 species known from the type).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In the Pecos basin, this community represents one of the few remaining native riparian woodlands. A lack of cottonwood reproduction in the understory is indicative of the absence of recent flooding due to the extensive regulation of the Pecos. The invasion of exotic species, primarily Tamarix ramosissima and Elaeagnus angustifolia, has stabilized the riverbank, effectively channeling the river. This situation further reduces the possibility of overbank flooding and leaves the community susceptible to further invasion. A continued lack of annual flooding may eventually result in the mortality of cottonwoods and their virtual replacement by exotics. Effective restoration of these stands to enhance biodiversity, quality, and condition requires mimicking the natural flood regime as closely as possible.
This type has not been previously described but may be similar to ~Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) / Distichlis spicata Riparian Woodland (CEGL000939)$$ described for Colorado and ~Populus deltoides / Muhlenbergia asperifolia Flooded Forest (CEGL000678)$$ in New Mexico.
This type has not been previously described but may be similar to ~Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) / Distichlis spicata Riparian Woodland (CEGL000939)$$ described for Colorado and ~Populus deltoides / Muhlenbergia asperifolia Flooded Forest (CEGL000678)$$ in New Mexico.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Mature stands of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni or Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera have open to moderately open canopies with a grassy understory. Where trees are quite large (up to 1 m dbh) and old, the canopy may be very open, but the stand still maintains a large basal area. Reproduction of the native cottonwoods is rare or absent. Other trees are generally absent. The exotic Tamarix ramosissima can occur as scattered shrubby individuals. Herbaceous diversity is moderate (44 species), and Sporobolus airoides dominates with 30% cover on average and upwards to as much as 50%. Other grasses include Sporobolus cryptandrus, other Sporobolus spp., and Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides). The shrub layer is sparse to well-represented with Baccharis emoryi often common, and occasionally Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus) and Gutierrezia sarothrae are present. Forbs are sparse and low to moderate in diversity (24 species known from the type). In addition to Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera, five other native wetland indicator species are known to occur in this community; they are Baccharis emoryi, Distichlis spicata, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens), and Equisetum laevigatum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community type occurs primarily along the broad valley floors of large river drainages with low-gradient and sandy or silty riverbeds. Elevations are relatively low and are known to range from 1080 to 1400 m (3550-4575 feet). This community occurs mainly on low river terraces that are situated well above stream bankfull levels (discharge ratio well above 1). Under unregulated conditions, these sites are probably inundated every 20 years on average. Where rivers are highly regulated, these sites are seldom flooded. The soils are young, poorly developed Entisols that may be sandy throughout or have sandy or coarse loamy layers overlain by fine clay layers. They are moderate to well-drained. Soils are generally dry at the surface but become more moist with depth (1 m or more), particularly during seasonal high flows.
Geographic Range: This association is common in the Pecos basin in southeastern New Mexico and occasional in the middle and lower Rio Grande.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.737564
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.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 | A3802 Rio Grande Cottonwood - Plains Cottonwood Riparian Forest Alliance | A3802 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL005977 (Rio Grande Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood) / Alkali Sacaton Flooded Woodland | CEGL005977 | 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 deltoides / Sporobolus airoides Woodland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni / Sporobolus airoides Woodland Association (Donnelly et al. 2006)
= Plains Cottonwood/Alkali Sacaton CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
= Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni / Sporobolus airoides Woodland Association (Donnelly et al. 2006)
= Plains Cottonwood/Alkali Sacaton CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
- Donnelly, P., D. Lindsey, E. Muldavin, Y. Chauvin, and A. Browder. 2006. Vegetation communities of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge Remote Sensing Lab, Albuquerque, NM, and Natural Heritage New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Final report submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region (R2), National Wildlife Refuge System (NWR), NWR Remote Sensing Lab, Division of Planning. 27 pp. [http://www.fws.gov/data/documents/BDA%20NVCS%20Veg%20Community%20Report%20Example.pdf]
- 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.
- Stevens, J. E., K. Forrest, S. Neid, and M. Fink. 2007. Bent''s Old Fort National Historic Site: Vegetation classification and mapping. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2007/049. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 115 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.