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CEGL002336 Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni / Acer negundo Flooded Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rio Grande Cottonwood / Box-elder Flooded Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is described from its occurrences on narrow alluvial terraces in the canyons of the Yampa and Green rivers in northwestern Colorado and occurs farther south in southeastern Utah. Stands occupy wet areas of slot canyons and the rocky or sandy banks of the main channels. Soils are sandy and derived from alluvium, and may have large rocks scattered over the ground surface. The canopy consists of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni with between 40 and 55% cover, with a subcanopy dominated by Acer negundo with a cover of 10 to 45%. Other trees in the subcanopy may include Juniperus osteosperma and Celtis laevigata var. reticulata. Clumps of Rhus trilobata, Fraxinus anomala, or Amelanchier utahensis range from 15 to 30% cover, and there may be scattered individuals of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Opuntia polyacantha. Bromus tectorum dominates the herbaceous layer with 10 to 20% cover. Other herbaceous species present, each with 1 to 5% cover, include Elymus repens, Leymus cinereus, Sporobolus airoides, Distichlis spicata, and Lepidium latifolium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association has only been described from Dinosaur and Natural Bridges national monuments. Until further inventory is completed, global information is scanty.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The total vegetation cover often exceeds 100%. This riparian association is characterized by a tree canopy, typically 10-20 m tall, of Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni and a subcanopy of Acer negundo trees. In some locations Celtis laevigata var. reticulata may also be important in the subcanopy. Typically, there is an abundant shrub layer of species typical to dry riparian terraces, such as Fraxinus anomala, Rhus trilobata, and Amelanchier utahensis; occasionally Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma saplings or seedling occur in the shrub layer. There is no developed short-shrub layer, but scattered shrubs less than 1 m high might include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Opuntia polyacantha. The herbaceous layer is diverse in composition but usually has sparse cover; species can include Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Leymus cinereus, Sporobolus airoides, Distichlis spicata, Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Piptatherum micranthum), Heterotheca villosa, Machaeranthera canescens, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), and Thelypodium integrifolium. The vine Clematis ligusticifolia can have high cover in some stands. Exotic species can be abundant, including Bromus tectorum, Elymus repens, and Lepidium latifolium.
Dynamics: This association is subject to flooding and deposition or scouring of sediments. The high cover of downed wood in the sampled stand indicates that recent flooding was sufficient only to carry wood to the plot, not out of it. The dominant species can withstand sediment deposition; however, sufficient scouring could remove trees. It is unlikely that fire plays a significant role in this association.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on flat to moderately sloping alluvial terraces within broad river floodplains, or in narrow slot canyon where alluvial terrace development is extensive enough to support cottonwoods. Reported elevation ranges from 1650 to 1730 m, aspect is variable, and nonvegetated ground cover is primarily organic litter with some large rock. Sandy loam soils derived from alluvium comprise the primary substrates. Downed wood can be abundant.
Geographic Range: This association is currently only described from the canyons of the Yampa and Green rivers in Dinosaur National Monument in northwestern Colorado and from Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. It is likely to occur elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. No other distributional information is available.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758364
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | CEGL002336 Rio Grande Cottonwood / Box-elder Flooded Woodland | CEGL002336 | 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 / Acer negundo Woodland (Coles et al. 2008c)
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Evenden, G. Manis, G. Wakefield. and A. Wight. 2008c. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Natural Bridges National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/077. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 390 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.