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G146 Populus tremuloides - Quercus macrocarpa / Andropogon gerardii Woodland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is found on the northeastern border of the Great Plains and boreal forests and is characterized by a mosaic of tallgrass prairie, wet prairie, brush prairie, and aspen-oak woodlands dominated by Populus tremuloides.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Big Bluestem Woodland Group
Colloquial Name: Northeastern Great Plains Aspen Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This aspen-oak woodland group is found primarily on part of the Glacial Lake Agassiz plain in northwestern Minnesota, ranging into south-central Manitoba, Canada. Historically this group occurred in the context of a mosaic of tallgrass prairie, brush prairie and wetlands. It is dominated by Populus tremuloides with scattered Quercus macrocarpa and Betula papyrifera. Shrubs such as willows (Salix spp.) and hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) are also common. The dominant tallgrass species, at least in open, fire maintained sites, is Andropogon gerardii often associated with Sorghastrum nutans, Calamagrostis spp., and Sporobolus heterolepis. Calcareous glacial drift overlain with lacustrine soils ranging from loamy to gravelly is characteristic of the lakeplain within the range of this group. Fire is the most important natural dynamic in this group and helps maintain the open parkland or brush nature of this group. Wind and grazing are also important dynamics. Conversion to agriculture and fire suppression have decreased the range of this group and allowed more shrubs and trees to establish.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This woodland group is dominated by Populus tremuloides and Quercus macrocarpa, and often found as part of a complex of upland tallgrass prairie, brush prairie and wetlands. It occurs mostly in the Glacial Lake Agassiz plain in northwestern Minnesota into southern Canada.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Populus tremuloides-dominated woodlands west of the Lake Agassiz plain, including the boundary areas in the Pembina Hills, are likely part of ~Great Plains Mesic Forest & Woodland Group (G145)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Trees are generally short in stature, reaching mature heights of 5-15 m tall. Populus tremuloides canopies are relatively diffuse, transmitting ample light for development of dense understory vegetation, including both shrub and herb layers. Herb layers are dominated by forbs, but also include a variety of shade-tolerant grasses and sedges. Stand structure also varies with site conditions; stands on sandy soils tend to be shorter and more open than those on fine-textured soils.
Floristics: This group ranges from tallgrass prairie and wet prairie to shrub-dominated brush prairies and open woodlands. Woodlands are dominated by Populus tremuloides with Quercus macrocarpa, Betula papyrifera, Populus grandidentata, Populus balsamifera, and Ulmus americana as common associates. Prairie grasses occur throughout the components of this group. Prairie grass and forb species vary with changes in soil moisture along a gradient from wet-mesic to dry-mesic. Andropogon gerardii and Sporobolus heterolepis typically occur throughout examples of this group, at least on fire-maintained sites. On drier sites, Schizachyrium scoparium and Koeleria macrantha are also important. On wetter sites, Spartina pectinata, Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa (= Calamagrostis inexpansa), and Muhlenbergia richardsonis are codominants. Typical shrubs include Corylus americana, Corylus cornuta, Rosa spp., Rubus spp., Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Amelanchier spp. (especially Amelanchier alnifolia), Cornus foemina, and Viburnum spp., and they may increase in the absence of fire.
Dynamics: This group is primarily fire-maintained. Recurrent fires maintain the open nature of this group. Without common fires, stands may succeed to a more closed woodland or forest and may resemble an aspen forest.
Environmental Description: This group occurs in an ecotone between the semi-arid prairie west and semi-humid forested east on level to rolling terrain. Climate is typically cold and dry. Stands typically occur on coarse-textured outwash to lake-washed glacial till or in sandy lacustrine deposits. Soils vary from sandy clay loam to loamy fine sand and range from somewhat poorly drained to well-drained.
Geographic Range: This group is found primarily on part of the Glacial Lake Agassiz plain in northwestern Minnesota, ranging into southern Canada and eastern North Dakota.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MN, ND, ON, SK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.849192
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Ne North American Great Plains Forest & Woodland Division | D326 | 1.B.2.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Ne.1 Bur Oak - Quaking Aspen / Western Wheatgrass Forest Woodland Macrogroup | M151 | 1.B.2.Ne.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Big Bluestem Woodland Group | G146 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A3209 Paper Birch - Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak Forest Alliance | A3209 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A3249 Quaking Aspen - Balsam Poplar / American Hazelnut Forest Alliance | A3249 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A3250 Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Hazelnut species Woodland Alliance | A3250 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.