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A3371 Acer grandidentatum Montane Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes mainly deciduous forests dominated by Acer grandidentatum occurring in relatively moist lower montane areas of the Utah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains and Columbia Plateau.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigtooth Maple Montane Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bigtooth Maple Montane Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance includes mainly deciduous forests dominated by Acer grandidentatum occurring in relatively moist lower montane areas of the Utah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains and Columbia Plateau. Forests in this alliance are dominated by a dense canopy of Acer grandidentatum, often occurring with Quercus spp. and Juniperus spp. Shrub and herb strata are relatively sparse throughout the range of the alliance and are composed of short shrubs and annual or perennial graminoids and forbs. Tree and shrub associates include Amelanchier alnifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Paxistima myrsinites, Physocarpus malvaceus, Populus tremuloides, Prunus virginiana, Quercus gambelii, and Symphoricarpos spp. The alliance can occur on all aspects but is best developed on north-facing valleys or canyons with moderate insolation and favorable soil moisture. In the southern part of the range, these communities are typically associated with protected topographic positions with relatively moist soils and lower fire frequencies than surrounding hillsides. Elevations range from 1200-2600 m.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Forests in this alliance are dominated by a dense canopy of Acer grandidentatum, often occurring with Quercus spp. and Juniperus spp.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance excludes associations of Acer grandidentatum found in Trans-Pecos Texas.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a closed canopy of tall cold-deciduous or broad-leaved evergreen shrubs or short trees 6-8 m in height. Short evergreen shrubs may also be present. The herbaceous understory is typically sparse and composed of annual or perennial graminoids and forbs.
Floristics: These forests are dominated by a dense canopy of Acer grandidentatum, often occurring with Quercus spp. and Juniperus spp. In Rocky Mountain stands, tree and shrub associates include Amelanchier alnifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Paxistima myrsinites, Physocarpus malvaceus, Populus tremuloides, Prunus virginiana, Quercus gambelii, and Symphoricarpos spp. Shrub and herb strata are relatively sparse. Forests in this alliance grade to slightly less mesic mixed evergreen-deciduous forests, woodlands, or brushfields on adjacent hillsides.
Dynamics: In southern stands, these communities are typically associated with protected topographic positions with relatively moist soils and lower fire frequencies than surrounding hillsides.
Environmental Description: Vegetation within this alliance occurs in relatively moist lower montane areas of the southern and central Rocky Mountains. These forests occur from 1200-2600 m in elevation. Annual precipitation generally exceeds 40 cm with a large proportion falling during the growing season. The alliance can occur on all aspects but is best developed on north-facing valleys or canyons which have moderate insolation and favorable soil moisture.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Utah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains, Utah High Plateaus, and Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899495
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.d Quaking Aspen Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G222 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.d |
| Alliance | A3371 Bigtooth Maple Montane Forest Alliance | A3371 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL000558 Bigtooth Maple / Pinegrass Forest | CEGL000558 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL000559 Bigtooth Maple / Gambel Oak Forest | CEGL000559 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.d |
Concept Lineage: A.265, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 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.