Print Report

G506 Picea engelmannii - Picea pungens - Populus angustifolia Riparian & Swamp Forest Group

Type Concept Sentence: This riparian forest group includes seasonally flooded conifer-dominated forests found at montane to subalpine elevations of the Rocky Mountain cordillera, from southern New Mexico north into Montana, and west into the Intermountain West region and the Colorado Plateau. Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, and/or Populus angustifolia dominate, and the understory is often dominated by forbs or graminoids with only a few shrubs. Soils are mineral and very well-oxygenated.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group

Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Riparian & Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group contains woodlands dominated by cottonwood, conifer and aspen that line montane streams. Dominant tree species usually include Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus ponderosa, Juniperus scopulorum, and/or Populus angustifolia; other important species include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea pungens, Picea x albertiana, and Populus tremuloides. Other trees possibly present but not usually dominant include Alnus incana, Abies concolor, Abies grandis, Pinus contorta, and Juniperus osteosperma. Shrub cover tends to be limited but may include Alnus incana, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Crataegus rivularis, Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens, Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, Salix spp., and others. The herbaceous undergrowth can be lush to depauperate. Herbaceous species include Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis var. aquatilis, Carex obnupta, Carex pellita, Equisetum arvense, Heracleum maximum, Ranunculus alismifolius, Senecio bigelovii var. bigelovii, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Veratrum californicum. This riparian group includes seasonally flooded forests found at montane to subalpine elevations of the Rocky Mountain cordillera, from southern New Mexico north into Montana, and west into the Intermountain West region and the Colorado Plateau. It occurs throughout the interior of British Columbia and the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range. These are communities tolerant of periodic flooding and high water tables. Snowmelt moisture may create shallow water tables or seeps for a portion of the growing season. Stands typically occur at elevations between 1500 and 3300 m (4920-10,830 feet); farther north, elevation ranges between 900 and 2000 m. This is confined to specific riparian environments occurring on floodplains or terraces of rivers and streams, in V-shaped, narrow valleys and canyons (where there is cold-air drainage). Less frequently, occurrences are found in moderately wide valley bottoms on large floodplains along broad, meandering rivers, and on pond or lake margins.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This group contains the conifer and aspen woodlands that line montane streams. These are communities tolerant of periodic flooding and high water tables.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This group is restricted to montane riparian areas and avalanche chutes between lower and upper treeline.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open to closed woodlands of tall conifer or deciduous trees with or without an understory of deciduous shrubs, generally forming linear bands following streams. These can blend into the surrounding upland forest, and often only the understory herbaceous species indicate the wet nature of the soils.

Floristics: Dominant tree species usually include Abies lasiocarpa, Abies grandis, Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, Populus angustifolia, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta, and/or Juniperus scopulorum; other important species include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea x albertiana (= Picea engelmannii x glauca), and Populus tremuloides. Other trees possibly present and dominant or codominant include Abies concolor, Abies grandis, Pinus contorta, and Juniperus osteosperma. Shrub cover tends to be limited but may include Alnus incana, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Crataegus rivularis, Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens, Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, Salix spp., and others. The herbaceous undergrowth can be lush to depauperate. Herbaceous species include Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis var. aquatilis, Carex obnupta, Carex pellita, Equisetum arvense, Heracleum maximum, Ranunculus alismifolius, Senecio bigelovii var. bigelovii, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Veratrum californicum. Floristic information is compiled from several sources for eastern Washington and Oregon (Kovalchik 1987, 1993, Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997), Nevada (Manning and Padgett 1995), Colorado (Kittel et al. 1999b), Montana (Butler 1979, 1985, Malanson and Butler 1984, Hansen et al. 1989), British Columbia (MacKenzie and Moran 2004), Utah (Padgett et al. 1989, Tuhy et al. 2002), New Mexico and Arizona (Szaro 1989, Muldavin et al. 2000a), and Wyoming (Walford 1996, Walford et al. 2001).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Climate: Temperate cold. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Stands typically occur at elevations between 1500 and 3300 m (4920-10,830 feet); farther north, elevation ranges between 900 and 2000 m. This group is confined to specific riparian environments occurring on floodplains or terraces of rivers and streams, in V-shaped, narrow valleys and canyons (where there is cold-air drainage). Less frequently, occurrences are found in moderately wide valley bottoms on large floodplains along broad, meandering rivers, on pond or lake margins, and seeps on gentle slopes. Environmental information is compiled from several sources: for eastern Washington and Oregon (Kovalchik 1987, 1992, 2001, Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997); for Nevada (Manning and Padgett 1995); for Colorado (Baker 1988, 1989a, 1989b, 1990, Kittel et al. 1994, 1995, 1999a, 1999b); for Montana (Butler 1979, 1985, Malanson and Butler 1984, Hansen et al. 1989); for British Columbia (MacKenzie and Moran 2004); for Utah (Padgett et al. 1989, Tuhy et al. 2002); for New Mexico and Arizona (Szaro 1989, Muldavin et al. 2000a); and for Wyoming (Walford 1996, Walford et al. 2001).
Geographic Range: This group is found at montane to subalpine elevations of the Rocky Mountain cordillera, from southern New Mexico north into Montana, Alberta and British Columbia, and west into the Intermountain West region and the Colorado Plateau.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY


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.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D195 1.B.3.Nc
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup M034 1.B.3.Nc.1
Group 1.B.3.Nc.1.a Engelmann Spruce - Blue Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Group G506 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3757 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Swamp Forest Alliance A3757 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3758 Sierra Lodgepole Pine - Tall Lodgepole Pine Swamp Forest Alliance A3758 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3759 Narrowleaf Cottonwood Riparian Forest Alliance A3759 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3760 Quaking Aspen Riparian Forest Alliance A3760 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3761 Blue Spruce Riparian Forest Alliance A3761 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3762 Grand Fir Rocky Mountain Riparian Forest Alliance A3762 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3797 Ponderosa Pine - Rocky Mountain Juniper - White Fir Riparian Woodland Alliance A3797 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Alliance A4154 Box-elder - Thinleaf Alder - Red-osier Dogwood Riparian Woodland Alliance A4154 1.B.3.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Blue Spruce: 216 (Eyre 1980) [Blue spruce commonly occurs in riparian zones]
= ER Engelmann Spruce Riparian (Ecosystems Working Group 1998)
< Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir: 206 (Eyre 1980) [Engelmann spruce occurs as a dominant in riparian zones.]
< Riparian (422) (Shiflet 1994)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-11-15
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