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A3250 Populus tremuloides - Quercus macrocarpa / Corylus spp. Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of grasslands of limestone slopes and associated seeps of the Edwards Plateau and central Oklahoma where Muhlenbergia reverchonii is dominant or codominant. Soils are tight clay soils that are wet in spring.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Hazelnut species Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Aspen Parkland Bur Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance includes dry to wet-mesic woodlands dominated by some combination of Populus tremuloides and Quercus macrocarpa. These stands occur in the Aspen Parklands region of northeastern North Dakota and Minnesota and southern Manitoba. Shrubs are common, particularly Amelanchier alnifolia, Corylus americana, Corylus cornuta, Cornus foemina, Prunus virginiana, Rosa spp., and Rubus spp. On wetter sites, species include Betula pumila, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, and Spiraea alba. The herbaceous layer is typically a combination of species found in the prairie (in canopy gaps) and in the forest (under denser canopy).
Diagnostic Characteristics: Woodlands in the Aspen Parklands dominated by Populus tremuloides or Quercus macrocarpa. Prairie species are common in canopy gaps.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance can have similar canopy dominants to some in the Great Plains but it is restricted to the Aspen Parklands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands in this alliance have an open to moderately dense (25-80%) tree canopy dominated by cold-deciduous trees. The tree canopy tends to be short to medium-tall (5-15 m tall). Cold-deciduous shrubs are nearly always present with a sparse to moderately dense canopy (25-75%). Shrubs are typically 1-3 m tall. The herbaceous layer tends to vary inversely with the tree and shrub cover. Forbs are more abundant under dense woody canopies, and graminoids dominate under open canopies or canopy gaps.
Floristics: The tree canopy is dominated by Populus tremuloides and Quercus macrocarpa, either individually or in combination. Other minor canopy associates on wetter sites are Picea glauca and Populus balsamifera. Common shrubs are Amelanchier spp., Corylus americana, Corylus cornuta, Prunus americana, Prunus virginiana, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Symphoricarpos albus, and Viburnum rafinesqueanum. On wetter sites Betula pumila, Cornus sericea, and Salix bebbiana can be found occasionally. Understory species vary somewhat depending on the amount of tree and shrub cover. Common herbaceous species are Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Galium boreale, Maianthemum canadense, and Thalictrum venulosum. Under more open woody canopies, species typical of prairies are more common, including Andropogon gerardii, Bromus ciliatus, Comandra umbellata, Danthonia spicata, Solidago nemoralis, and Sorghastrum nutans. Wetter sites will have wet-prairie species such as Calamagrostis canadensis and Spartina pectinata.
Dynamics: This alliance is maintained by fairly frequent surface fires and periodic stand-replacement fires. In Minnesota, surface fires were estimated to occur every 15 years and stand-replacement fires every 100 years (Minnesota DNR 2005a). These fires prevent later successional trees from becoming common. The harsh winters with occasional low temperatures below -30 to -40 degrees F limit the species that can exist in stands of this alliance, as well.
Environmental Description: Stands in this alliance are found on flat to gently rolling landscapes between the Boreal and Hemi-Boreal forests and the northern prairies of north-central North America. The climate is continental with long cold winters and short warm summers. The average frost-free season is <80 days. In northern Minnesota and Manitoba, this alliance occurs on the lakeplain of Glacial Lake Agassiz and adjacent moraines. Soils are deep sand or loam with organic material accumulated in the upper horizon. The soils are wet in the spring but dry out for most of the growing season.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in southern Manitoba and the north-central U.S. in Minnesota and North Dakota. This alliance does not extend into the grasslands of the Great Plains.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MN, ND, ON
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899374
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.c Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Big Bluestem Woodland Group | G146 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A3250 Quaking Aspen - Bur Oak / Hazelnut species Woodland Alliance | A3250 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000556 Bur Oak / American Hazelnut - Saskatoon Serviceberry Woodland | CEGL000556 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002139 Bur Oak - Quaking Aspen / Hazelnut species Woodland | CEGL002139 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005205 Quaking Aspen / Hazelnut species / Big Bluestem Woodland | CEGL005205 | 1.B.2.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: This alliance is composed of one association from A.610 and one from A.620.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Aspen - (Prairie Herb) Woodland Type [FDw34a] (Minnesota DNR 2005a) [MN state types FDw24, FDw34a, and UPn24b together equal A3250]
> Aspen Openings (Northern) Type [UPn24b] (Minnesota DNR 2005a) [MN state types FDw24, FDw34a, and UPn24b together equal A3250]
> Bur Oak - (Prairie Herb) Woodland Type [FDw24a] (Minnesota DNR 2005a) [MN state types FDw24, FDw34a, and UPn24b together equal A3250]
> Aspen Openings (Northern) Type [UPn24b] (Minnesota DNR 2005a) [MN state types FDw24, FDw34a, and UPn24b together equal A3250]
> Bur Oak - (Prairie Herb) Woodland Type [FDw24a] (Minnesota DNR 2005a) [MN state types FDw24, FDw34a, and UPn24b together equal A3250]
- 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.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.