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CEGL005964 Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) - Salix gooddingii Flooded Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Rio Grande Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood) - Goodding''s Willow Flooded Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mature riparian forest association is found in the middle Pecos and Rio Grande basins of New Mexico and extreme southwestern Colorado. It occurs along low-gradient rivers of wide lowland valleys at elevations from 990 to 2025 m (3250-6650 feet). Stream gradients are generally low (<1%), and riverbeds tend to be mostly sandy. Gravels and cobbles are more frequent as the gradient increases. Sites typically are elevated sidebars and low terraces that are situated above the active channel (discharge ratios range from 2 to 6). Flooding frequency ranges widely, from as low as every two years on lower bars to more than 50 years on elevated terraces. Soils of young fluvial landforms are poorly developed Entisols. Soils may be coarse-loamy throughout or overlain by a sandy layer. Gravels and cobbles are generally scattered throughout the profile. Soils are dry within 1 m but, upon approaching the groundwater, become moist, particularly during seasonal flooding events. Middle-aged to mature stands of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni, Populus deltoides (and Populus x acuminata, the incipient hybrid with Populus angustifolia), or Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera and Salix gooddingii form closed canopies (85% or greater cover) that reach heights of 20 to 25 m (65-82 feet). Other deciduous trees are generally absent. Elaeagnus angustifolia and Tamarix ramosissima can become invasive and reproduce in the understory. Smaller cottonwood and willow saplings may be present in the understory, but seedlings are absent. The shrub layer may be dominated by Rosa woodsii, Ribes aureum, and Salix exigua. However, the understory shrub and herbaceous layers are often sparse, not well-represented, and low in diversity. There may be scattered Salix exigua or Baccharis spp. and patches of grass, but generally the forest floor is sparse and covered with leaf litter. Six wetland indicator species are known to occur. As a keystone species, the reproduction of Populus deltoides after flooding (and sufficient subsequent base flows) is critical to the sustainability of this community.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In eastern Arizona and eastern Utah, Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni and Populus fremontii hybridize. Stands in New Mexico''s San Juan River basin are attributed to Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni. Stands in Arizona and Utah are attributed to Populus fremontii, but there are likely stands that are a mix of the two with the hybrid.
Due to large-scale alterations of the floodplain (i.e., flow regulations and diversions), the extent of this community type''s natural distribution is limited and, therefore, considered highly threatened. Much of its former habitat in the southern reaches of New Mexico''s larger rivers is now occupied by vast areas of homogeneous stands of Tamarix ramosissima or farmland. In these areas, cottonwoods are very scarce. Alternatively, communities in the northern reaches of these rivers are threatened by invasion of Elaeagnus angustifolia. River controls and alterations that limit the movement of the river within the floodplain have minimized areas available for cottonwood-willow reproduction. Where reproduction does occur in the spring, subsequent flows remove seedlings before their root systems are established. The community type may be critical habitat for several bird species. Effective restoration of these stands to enhance biodiversity, quality, and condition requires emulating a natural hydrological regime.
Although this Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera type has not been previously described, Laurenzi et al. (1983) and Szaro (1989) describe a Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii Community Type which is probably similar and perhaps inclusive of the type described here. Dick-Peddie (1993) also refers to a Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii / Mesic Grass - Forb type as part of his Cottonwood-Willow Series. These are similar communities and may have been intended to be inclusive of the association described here because Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni has been previously referred to as Populus fremontii var. wislizeni. Campbell and Dick-Peddie (1964) describe a cottonwood type with Salix gooddingii (Class IV) for the Rio Grande.
Due to large-scale alterations of the floodplain (i.e., flow regulations and diversions), the extent of this community type''s natural distribution is limited and, therefore, considered highly threatened. Much of its former habitat in the southern reaches of New Mexico''s larger rivers is now occupied by vast areas of homogeneous stands of Tamarix ramosissima or farmland. In these areas, cottonwoods are very scarce. Alternatively, communities in the northern reaches of these rivers are threatened by invasion of Elaeagnus angustifolia. River controls and alterations that limit the movement of the river within the floodplain have minimized areas available for cottonwood-willow reproduction. Where reproduction does occur in the spring, subsequent flows remove seedlings before their root systems are established. The community type may be critical habitat for several bird species. Effective restoration of these stands to enhance biodiversity, quality, and condition requires emulating a natural hydrological regime.
Although this Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera type has not been previously described, Laurenzi et al. (1983) and Szaro (1989) describe a Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii Community Type which is probably similar and perhaps inclusive of the type described here. Dick-Peddie (1993) also refers to a Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii / Mesic Grass - Forb type as part of his Cottonwood-Willow Series. These are similar communities and may have been intended to be inclusive of the association described here because Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni has been previously referred to as Populus fremontii var. wislizeni. Campbell and Dick-Peddie (1964) describe a cottonwood type with Salix gooddingii (Class IV) for the Rio Grande.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Middle-aged to mature stands of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni, Populus deltoides (and Populus x acuminata, the incipient hybrid with Populus angustifolia), or Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera and Salix gooddingii typically form closed canopies (85% or greater cover) that reach heights of 20 to 25 m (65-82 feet). Other deciduous trees are generally absent. Elaeagnus angustifolia and Tamarix ramosissima can become invasive and reproduce in the understory. Smaller cottonwood and willow saplings may be present in the understory, but seedlings are absent. The shrub layer may be dominated by Rosa woodsii, Ribes aureum, and Salix exigua. However, the understory shrub and herbaceous layers are often sparse, not well-represented, and low in diversity. There may be scattered Salix exigua or Baccharis spp. and patches of grass, but generally the forest floor is sparse and covered with leaf litter. Six wetland indicator species are known to occur, i.e., Salix gooddingii, Baccharis salicifolia, Salix exigua, Carex aquatilis, Distichlis spicata, and Populus deltoides.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations range from 990 to 2025 m (3250-6650 feet). Stream gradients are generally low (<1%), and riverbeds tend to be mostly sandy. Gravels and cobbles are more frequent as the gradient increases. The type is found on elevated sidebars and low terraces that are situated above the active channel (discharge ratios range from 2 to 6). Flooding frequency ranges widely, from as low as every two years on lower bars to more than 50 years on elevated terraces. Soils of young fluvial landforms are poorly developed Entisols. Soils may be coarse-loamy throughout or overlain by a sandy layer. Gravels and cobbles are generally scattered throughout the profile. Soils are dry within 1 m but, upon approaching the ground water, become moist, particularly during seasonal flooding events.
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Pecos and Rio Grande basins of central New Mexico but may occur farther west in Utah and Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, NM, UT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.737581
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A3802 Rio Grande Cottonwood - Plains Cottonwood Riparian Forest Alliance | A3802 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL005964 (Rio Grande Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood) - Goodding''s Willow Flooded Forest | CEGL005964 | 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 (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) - Salix gooddingii Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
= Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni - Salix gooddingii Forest Association (Donnelly et al. 2006)
? Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii / Mesic Grass - Forb Vegetation Type (Dick-Peddie 1993)
? Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii Community Type (Szaro 1989)
= Class IV & V Cottonwood - Goodding willow (Campbell and Dick-Peddie 1964)
= Plains Cottonwood-Goodding Willow CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
= Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni - Salix gooddingii Forest Association (Donnelly et al. 2006)
? Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii / Mesic Grass - Forb Vegetation Type (Dick-Peddie 1993)
? Populus fremontii / Salix gooddingii Community Type (Szaro 1989)
= Class IV & V Cottonwood - Goodding willow (Campbell and Dick-Peddie 1964)
= Plains Cottonwood-Goodding Willow CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
- Campbell, C. J., and W. A. Dick-Peddie. 1964. Comparison of phreatophyte communities on the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Ecology 45:492-501.
- Dick-Peddie, W. A. 1993. New Mexico vegetation: Past, present, and future. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 244 pp.
- 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]
- Laurenzi, A. W., R. D. Ohmart, and N. C. Hink. 1983. Classification of mixed broadleaf riparian forests in Tonto National Forest. Pages 72-81 in: Proceedings of the workshop on Southwestern habitat types. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
- 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.
- Muldavin, E., P. Neville, P. Arbetan, Y. Chauvin, A. Browder, and T. Neville. 2003a. A vegetation map of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Final report submitted in partial fulfillment of Cooperative Agreement No. Ca-7170-99-004. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 102 pp.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, A. Kennedy, T. Neville, P. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2012a. Vegetation classification and map: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2012/553. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- NHNM [Natural Heritage New Mexico]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Natural Heritage New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.