Print Report
G507 Tsuga mertensiana - Abies spp. / Salix spp. Montane Riparian Woodland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This riparian woodland group occurs throughout mountainous areas of the Pacific Northwest coast and Cascade Range into the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. Dominant species include Abies amabilis, Abies concolor, Abies magnifica, Alnus rhombifolia, Alnus rubra, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus jeffreyi, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, Populus tremuloides, and Tsuga mertensiana.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - Fir species / Willow species Montane Riparian Woodland Group
Colloquial Name: North Pacific Montane Riparian Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This riparian woodland group occurs throughout mountainous areas of the Pacific Northwest coast from Oregon to northern British Columbia, and east into Idaho along the tributaries of the Columbia River and south into the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. Dominant species include Abies amabilis, Abies concolor, Abies magnifica, Alnus rhombifolia, Alnus rubra, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus jeffreyi, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, Populus tremuloides, and Tsuga mertensiana. Shrubs include Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, Betula occidentalis, Crataegus douglasii, Frangula purshiana, Oplopanax horridus, Philadelphus lewisii, Salix spp., Spiraea douglasii, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Herbaceous wetland indicator species include Achlys triphylla, Athyrium filix-femina, Carex angustata, Carex disperma, Clintonia uniflora, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, and others. It occurs on steep streams and narrow floodplains above foothills but below the alpine environments, e.g., above 1500 m (4550 feet) elevation in the Klamath Mountains and western Cascades of Oregon, between 2130 and 2440 m (7000-8000 feet) in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada, up as high as 3300 m (10,000 feet) in the southern Cascades, and above 610 m (2000 feet) in northern Washington. This group occurs for the most part on the west side of the Cascade crest, but also occurs around the Columbia Basin along the tributaries of the Columbia River. Surrounding habitats include subalpine parklands and montane forests. These woodlands are dependent on seasonally high water tables and frequent (once every 3-5 years) flooding to provide channel scour and deposition for germination and maintenance. They occur on streambanks and overflow channels, seeps and edges of waterbodies. They are distinguished from the surrounding forest by riparian/ wetland indicators, when dominated by deciduous tree species, are visually a sharp contrast to immediate upland conifer forests.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These woodlands occur along streambanks or narrow alluvial areas that are actively influenced by stream waters at montane elevations in Oregon, California''s southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada, Washington and British Columbia. They are dominated by Abies amabilis, Abies concolor, Abies magnifica, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus jeffreyi, and Tsuga mertensiana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept for this group is new as it divides upper elevation from lower elevation riparian forests. Higher elevation riparian plant associations are well documented by several authors (McCain and Diaz 2002b, Crowe et al. 2004, Kovalchik and Clausnitzer 2004, and others). However, probably due to the lack of areal extent and the difficulty in mapping them, these montane riparian habitats have not been described as a group per se. Flood ecosystems are "infrequent at higher elevations where there are fewer topographic positions for floodplain development"(MacKenzie and Moran 2004). This group includes these streamside communities that may not have "floodplains" per se. Individual plant associations and sub-associations or site series have detailed floristics of units that are included in this group. More clarification is needed on the amount of woodland-dominated riparian areas at high altitudes in the Coast and Cascade ranges, for example the Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata types described from Prince Rupert Forest by Banner et al. (1993). There are other associations to consider including in this group that are labeled "herbaceous" but contain stands with up to 90% tree cover [see Christy (2004), p. 100].
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open to closed-canopy tall woodlands, often linear, following river courses and floodplains, dominated mostly by coniferous trees, but can be dominated by cold-deciduous trees or a mix of or conifer and deciduous trees.
Floristics: Dominant species include Abies amabilis, Abies concolor, Abies magnifica, Picea engelmannii, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus jeffreyi, Populus balsamifera, Tsuga mertensiana, and, more rarely, Populus tremuloides. These woodlands are dependent on seasonally high water tables and frequent (once every 3-5 years) flooding to provide channel scour and deposition for germination and maintenance. These woodlands occur on streambanks and overflow channels and are distinguished from the surrounding uplands by riparian/wetland indicator species. When dominated by deciduous tree species, it can form a visually sharp contrast to immediate upland conifer forests. Common understory shrubs iinclude Alnus incana, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata (= Alnus sinuata), Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Crataegus douglasii, Frangula purshiana, Oplopanax horridus, Philadelphus lewisii, Salix spp., Spiraea douglasii, and Vaccinium uliginosum, and others. Herbaceous understory can include Allium bisceptrum, Calochortus superbus, Carex angustata, Carex disperma, Iris missouriensis, Maianthemum stellatum, and/or Wyethia mollis. Floristic information was compiled from several sources: from Washington (Hemstrom et al. 1982, Brockway and Topik 1984, Franklin et al. 1988, Henderson et al. 1989, 1992, Kovalchik and Clausnitzer 2004); and from Oregon (McCain and Diaz 2002b, Christy 2004, Crowe et al. 2004).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Climate: Cool temperate. Soil/substrate/hydrology: This group occurs on steep streams and narrow floodplains above foothills but below the alpine environments, e.g., above 1500 m (4550 feet) elevation to as high as 3300 m (10,000 feet) in the south and central part of the range, between 2130 and 2440 m (7000-8000 feet) in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada, up as high as 3300 m (10,000 feet) in the southern Cascades, and above 610 m (2000 feet) in northern Washington. By the steep nature of the streams and adjacent slopes, these riparian forests are very narrow. Surrounding habitats include subalpine parklands and montane forests. These woodlands are dependent on seasonally high water tables and frequent (once every 3-5 years) flooding to provide channel scour and deposition for germination and maintenance. These woodlands occur on streambanks and overflow channels. They are distinguished from the surrounding forest by riparian/wetland understory species. When dominated by deciduous tree species, they are visually a sharp contrast to immediate upland conifer forests. Environmental information was compiled from several sources: from Washington (Hemstrom et al. 1982, Brockway and Topik 1984, Franklin et al. 1988, Henderson et al. 1989, 1992, Kovalchik and Clausnitzer 2004); and from Oregon (McCain and Diaz 2002b, Christy 2004, Crowe et al. 2004).
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout high mountainous areas of the Pacific Northwest coast, and south into the foothills of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.849282
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.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b Mountain Hemlock - Fir species / Willow species Montane Riparian Woodland Group | G507 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A0306 White Alder Cascadian Riparian Woodland Alliance | A0306 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A3766 Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir Swamp Woodland Alliance | A3766 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A3767 Engelmann Spruce Cascadian Swamp Woodland Alliance | A3767 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A3768 Quaking Aspen - Red Alder Swamp Forest Alliance | A3768 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
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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- Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
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- Henderson, J. A., D. A. Peter, R. Lesher, and D. C. Shaw. 1992. Field guide to forested plant associations of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-028-91. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 196 pp.
- Kovalchik, B. L., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 2004. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian, and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington: Series description. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-593. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. In cooperation with Pacific Northwest Region, Colville, Okanogan, and Wenatchee national forests. 354 pp.
- MacKenzie, W. H., and J. R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: A guide to identification. Land Management Handbook No. 52. Research Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Lands, Victoria, BC. 287 pp.
- McCain, C., and N. M. Diaz. 2002b. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the westside central Cascades of northwest Oregon. Willamette N.F., USFS; Mt. Hood N.F., USFS; Salem District, BLM; Eugene District, BLM. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.