Print Report
CEGL003998 Populus fremontii / Distichlis spicata Riparian Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont Cottonwood / Saltgrass Riparian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This rare woodland association is known from intermittently flooded washes and stream terraces on flat to gently sloping sites in Canyonlands National Park. More information may be added in the future after additional inventory and classification work are done. In Canyonlands, it occurs at elevations from 1293 to 1432 m over moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from alluvium. Populus fremontii is the dominant species and forms open canopies 10-15 m tall. Shrubs are present but sparse and include Tamarix chinensis, Ericameria nauseosa, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Atriplex canescens, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Distichlis spicata. Other herbaceous associates include Sporobolus airoides, Achnatherum hymenoides, Bromus tectorum, and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis. Forbs include Lepidium montanum, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Salsola tragus, Chenopodium album, Oxytenia acerosa, Conyza canadensis, Oenothera pallida, and Stanleya pinnata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Populus fremontii is the dominant species and forms open canopies 10-15 m tall. Shrubs are present but sparse and include Tamarix chinensis, Ericameria nauseosa, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Atriplex canescens, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Distichlis spicata. Other herbaceous associates include Sporobolus airoides, Achnatherum hymenoides, Bromus tectorum, and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus). Forbs include Lepidium montanum, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Salsola tragus, Chenopodium album, Oxytenia acerosa (= Iva acerosa), Conyza canadensis, Oenothera pallida, and Stanleya pinnata.
Dynamics: Distichlis spicata is a shade-intolerant and often a pioneer species capable of growth in saline habitats. Maintenance of this community may be related to periodic Populus fremontii mortality as the result of flood events.
Environmental Description: This association is documented from a single occurrence at Canyonlands. This rare woodland association is known from intermittently flooded washes and stream terraces on flat to gently sloping sites. It occurs at elevations from 1293 to 1432 m over moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association is known only from Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.794343
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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 | CEGL003998 Fremont Cottonwood / Saltgrass Riparian Woodland | CEGL003998 | 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 / Distichlis spicata Woodland (Tendick et al. 2012)
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.