Print Report
A3248 Betula papyrifera - Populus tremuloides / Corylus cornuta Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of Betula papyrifera-dominated woodlands in the northwestern Great Plains.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Paper Birch - Quaking Aspen / Beaked Hazelnut Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Aspen Parklands Birch Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of woodlands in the northwestern Great Plains dominated by Betula papyrifera. Other associates include Populus tremuloides, Quercus macrocarpa, and, less frequently, Fraxinus pennsylvanica. A shrub stratum is nearly always present and often vigorous and dominated by species such as Corylus spp., Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Symphoricarpos spp. The herbaceous stratum is dominated by woodland and forest species with few prairie species. Stands can be found on a variety of landscape positions from flat areas to steep slopes, though in the southern part of its range it is limited to steep north-facing slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Woodlands in the northwestern Great Plains dominated by Betula papyrifera, usually with a prominent shrubby understory of some combination of Corylus spp., Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Symphoricarpos spp.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance, and the group it is in, ~Northwestern Great Plains Aspen Woodland Group (G328)$$, have only one association currently, and it is likely a southern expression of the group. Input from Canadian reviewers is needed to flesh out the alliance and group.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Deciduous woodlands with an open to moderately closed (25-60%), short to medium-tall (8-15 m) tree canopy. A shrub layer 1-2 m tall is nearly always present and often moderate to dense. The herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs with few graminoids prominent.
Floristics: This alliance consists of woodlands dominated by Betula papyrifera. Other associates include Populus tremuloides, Quercus macrocarpa, and, less frequently, Fraxinus pennsylvanica. A shrub stratum is nearly always present and often vigorous and dominated by species such as Corylus spp., Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Symphoricarpos spp. The herbaceous stratum is dominated by woodland and forest species with few prairie species. Common herbaceous species are Aralia nudicaulis, Clematis occidentalis, Cornus canadensis, Galium boreale, Linnaea borealis, Maianthemum canadense, and Pyrola elliptica.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands can be found on a variety of landscape positions from flat areas to steep slopes, though in the southern part of its range it is limited to steep north-facing slopes.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the northwestern Great Plains and western Aspen Parklands from central North Dakota north to southern Manitoba, southern Saskatchewan, and likely southern Alberta.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, MB, ND, SK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899372
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.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.d Quaking Aspen / Western Snowberry / Plains Rough Fescue Woodland Group | G328 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3248 Paper Birch - Quaking Aspen / Beaked Hazelnut Woodland Alliance | A3248 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002128 Paper Birch / Beaked Hazelnut Woodland | CEGL002128 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002130 Quaking Aspen / Chokecherry Woodland | CEGL002130 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: This alliance is composed of one association from old alliance A.603.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Betula papyrifera / Clematis occidentalis Habitat Type (Girard et al. 1989) [southwestern North Dakota]
? Betula papyrifera / Corylus cornuta Community Type (Girard et al. 1989)
? Paper Birch: 18 (Eyre 1980)
? Betula papyrifera / Corylus cornuta Community Type (Girard et al. 1989)
? Paper Birch: 18 (Eyre 1980)
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Girard, M. M., H. Goetz, and A. J. Bjugstad. 1989. Native woodland habitat types of southwestern North Dakota. Research Paper RM-281. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 36 pp.