Print Report
CEGL002473 Populus fremontii / Mesic Graminoids Riparian Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont Cottonwood / Mesic Graminoids Riparian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association occurs in southeastern Utah. Total vegetation cover generally exceeds 50%. The vegetation is characterized by an open canopy of Populus fremontii trees that range in cover from 5 to 40%, although cover in some stands may be as high as 80%. There is no developed shrub layer, although scattered individuals of shrubs such as Salix exigua, Salix lutea, Ericameria nauseosa, and Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata may be present. The herbaceous layer is usually a combination of several graminoid species that combine to form the lush herbaceous cover. Species include Carex aquatilis, Distichlis spicata, Elymus trachycaulus, Equisetum spp., Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Juncus ensifolius, Juncus tenuis, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Panicum sp., Phragmites australis, and Polypogon viridis. Forbs are present but are inconsistent and provide low cover. Stands occur on the banks of intermittent and perennial streams, in seepy areas on valley bottoms and in active floodplains. Flooding occurs irregularly, but the water table remains within a few feet of the surface throughout the growing season. Stands are located on gently sloping (less than 5%) sites between 1152 and 1768 m (3780-5800 feet) elevation. Soils are typically somewhat poorly drained fine sands 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. This association is intended to describe Populus fremontii woodlands occupying the active floodplain (water table is still high) that lack a developed shrub layer and in which most of the understory cover is composed of sedges, rushes or grasses.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover generally exceeds 50%. This woodland association is characterized by an open canopy of Populus fremontii trees that range in cover from 5 to 40%, although cover in some stands may be as high as 80%. There is no developed shrub layer, although scattered individuals of shrubs such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Fallugia paradoxa, Fraxinus anomala, Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, and Salix lutea may be present. The exotic shrub Tamarix chinensis is often present. The herbaceous layer is constant only in that it is dominated by graminoids; otherwise it varies greatly in composition and cover from site to site and from year to year, depending on the flooding regime and the height of the water table. No single species is characteristic of this type, but a combination of graminoid species together form a lush herbaceous layer. Species include Carex aquatilis, Distichlis spicata, Elymus trachycaulus, Equisetum spp., Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Juncus ensifolius, Juncus tenuis, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Panicum sp., Phragmites australis, and Polypogon viridis. Forbs are present but are inconsistent and provide low cover.
Dynamics: This association requires riparian conditions that support mesic graminoids while discouraging the growth of shrubs. A change in flood regime can easily convert this type to the less stable ~Populus fremontii / Mesic Forbs Riparian Woodland (CEGL002470)$$.
Environmental Description: This woodland association occurs on the banks of intermittent and perennial streams, in seepy areas on valley bottoms and in active floodplains. Flooding occurs irregularly, but the water table remains within a few feet of the surface throughout the growing season. Stands are located on flat to gently sloping (less than 5%) sites between 1150 and 1768 m (3770-5800 feet) elevation. Soils are typically somewhat poorly drained fine sands derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from a few locations in southeastern Utah. It is likely more widespread, although not common, throughout the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769281
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 | A0644 Fremont Cottonwood Great Basin Riparian Forest Alliance | A0644 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002473 Fremont Cottonwood / Mesic Graminoids Riparian Woodland | CEGL002473 | 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 / Mesic Graminoids Woodland (Clark et al. 2009)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.