Print Report
A3744 Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla Riparian Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises streamside riparian forests dominated by Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and may be codominated by coniferous trees such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea sitchensis, Tsuga heterophylla, and/or Pinus ponderosa. Stands are found in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska and occur on active floodplains on well-drained alluvial soils that either experience overbank flooding or high water tables during snowmelt and rainy seasons.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cottonwood - Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock Riparian Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Black Cottonwood - Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock Riparian Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises streamside riparian forests dominated by Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa in the upper canopy. The canopy can be codominated by coniferous trees such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Picea sitchensis, Tsuga heterophylla, and/or Pinus ponderosa. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa is always present and is always mixed with equal to at least half as much conifer cover in the upper canopy. This alliance is found in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska at low elevations along major rivers on middle and high terraces. Stands occur on active floodplains on well-drained alluvial soils that either experience overbank flooding or high water tables during snowmelt and rainy seasons. Stands may also occur on higher terraces that are less likely to flood. Channels may be large like the Columbia and Willamette rivers, or occur along smaller tributaries. Stands may be far from an active channel, but are well within the active 100-year floodplain. This alliance does not include isolated hillside springs or seeps.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This alliance is dominated by Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa with a strong conifer codominance, including Picea sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and/or Pinus ponderosa. A few deciduous trees such as Acer macrophyllum may be present. Understory shrubs include Acer circinatum, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, and Oplopanax horridus. Herbaceous layer is usually present with Oxalis oregana and Orthilia secunda.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur on active floodplains on well-drained alluvial soils that either experience overbank flooding or high water tables during snowmelt and rainy seasons. Stands may also occur on higher terraces that are less likely to flood.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in coastal lowlands west of the Coast Mountains of southern and southeastern Alaska and British Columbia and coastal lowlands and interior valleys of the coastal mountains west of the Cascadian divide in Washington and Oregon.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899796
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.NCCN-031
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.