Print Report
CEGL002465 Populus fremontii / Ericameria nauseosa Riparian Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont Cottonwood / Rubber Rabbitbrush Riparian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This common woodland association occurs on the upper terraces of perennial streams, on the banks of intermittent washes, and in spring-fed alcoves throughout much of the Colorado Plateau on sites that flood infrequently. It is one of the drier riparian forests, often well away from the stream channel, but still on the floodplain. Total vegetation cover ranges from 34 to 170%. The 10- to 15-m tall canopy is dominated by mature Populus fremontii trees that range in cover from 5 to 50%. Other trees, both riparian and upland, may be present with low cover in the canopy and subcanopy, including Populus angustifolia and Juniperus osteosperma. Young Populus and Salix are rare, because these stands are often at least 2 m above the water table. The shrub layer has low cover. Ericameria nauseosa dominates or codominates the shrub stratum, often with Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. The herbaceous layer is diverse. Common graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bromus arvensis, Elymus canadensis, Sporobolus spp., and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis. Forbs commonly present include Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Artemisia campestris, Castilleja linariifolia, Equisetum hyemale, Lepidium montanum, Sphaeralcea spp., and Heterotheca villosa. The non-native Agrostis stolonifera and Bromus tectorum can be abundant on disturbed sites. Sites are level to gently sloping and are located between 1110 and 2165 m (3610-7100 feet) elevation. Substrates are often coarse-textured soils such as sands and loamy sands, but may include finer-textured soils such as silt loams and silty clay loams derived from alluvium.
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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Total vegetation cover ranges from 27 to 100%. The 10- to 15-m tall canopy is dominated by mature, sometimes widely scattered Populus fremontii trees. The shrub layer has open to moderate cover.
Floristics: The tree canopy is dominated by mature phreatophytic Populus fremontii trees that range in cover from 5 to 50%, which may come from a single large tree. Other trees, both riparian and upland species, may be present with low cover in the canopy or subcanopy, including Populus angustifolia, Quercus gambelii, and Juniperus osteosperma. Very young Populus are generally not seen on these upper terraces, except for sucker shoots, because these stands are often from 0.2 to >2 m above the water table. The shrub layer has open to moderate cover and is fairly simple in diversity. Ericameria nauseosa dominates or codominates the shrub stratum, often with other shrubs, including Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Forestiera pubescens, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia microcephala, Opuntia spp., Rhus trilobata, and/or Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and in the southern extent Parryella filifolia and Isocoma drummondii. The exotics Tamarix chinensis and Caragana arborescens may also be present. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition, although many species are exotic, and most reflect upland conditions. Common graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus), Elymus canadensis, Distichlis spicata, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Juncus tenuis, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Phragmites australis, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus contractus, and Typha domingensis. Forbs commonly present include Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Artemisia campestris, Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia ludoviciana, Castilleja linariifolia, Epipactis gigantea, Equisetum hyemale, Heterotheca villosa, Oxytenia acerosa (= Iva acerosa), Lepidium montanum, Solidago velutina, and Sphaeralcea spp. Non-native herbaceous species on disturbed sites include Agrostis stolonifera, Bromus tectorum, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Salsola tragus.
Dynamics: This association is a wetland obligate community, with the early-seral Populus fremontii that is dependent on flooding for germination, but lives for up to 150 years by tapping into the water table. More shallow-rooted and short-lived riparian species are gradually replaced by upland species if the water table drops permanently below their rooting zone..
Environmental Description: This common riparian woodland association occurs on the upper terraces of perennial streams, on the banks of intermittent washes, and spring-fed alcoves throughout much of the Colorado Plateau. These habitats are rarely subject to flooding. Sites are level to gently sloping and are located between 1110 and 2165 m (3640-7100 feet) elevation. Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of this association. Bare soil and litter cover most of the unvegetated surface. Substrates are often poorly developed, rapid to well-drained, coarse-textured soils such as sands and loamy sands, but may include finer-textured soils such as silt loams and silty clay loams derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from southeastern Utah and northern Arizona. It occurs throughout much of the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769275
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | A0644 Fremont Cottonwood Great Basin Riparian Forest Alliance | A0644 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002465 Fremont Cottonwood / Rubber Rabbitbrush Riparian Woodland | CEGL002465 | 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 fremontii / Ericameria nauseosa Woodland (Clark et al. 2009)
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