Print Report
A3745 Acer macrophyllum - Alnus rubra Riparian Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance represents riparian forests and woodlands dominated by Acer macrophyllum or Alnus rubra or both in the upper canopy. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and/or Fraxinus latifolia are not present. Conifer species, if present, are not more than 10-20% of the total cover. This alliance is found from Alaska to Oregon along low-elevation streams and riparian areas, large and small rivers, but more often on steeper gradient streams.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigleaf Maple - Red Alder Riparian Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bigleaf Maple - Red Alder Riparian Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance represents riparian forests and woodlands dominated by Acer macrophyllum or Alnus rubra or both in the upper canopy. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and/or Fraxinus latifolia are not present or, if so, not more than 5% relative cover. Conifer species, if present, are not more than 10-20% of the total cover. A shrub layer may also be present. This alliance is found within the coastal and near-coast interior lowlands of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. It occurs along low-elevation streams and riparian areas, large and small rivers, but more often on steeper gradient streams.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Riparian upper canopy dominated by Alnus or Acer with less than 5% relative cover of cottonwoods or ash. Conifers may be present with up to 10% cover.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Deciduous riparian forests dominated by alders or maples. Malus (apple) association added; seems like a good place, but need more information about it for proper alliance placement.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These forests are typically characterized by a broad-leaved deciduous tree canopy from 15-25 m high.
Floristics: This alliance includes fairly dense, tall deciduous forests, usually with a shrubby understory. These are riparian forests along major rivers and streams. Acer macrophyllum and/or Alnus rubra is the dominant tree species, forming a dense canopy. Other deciduous trees, such as Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa and Betula papyrifera, may also be present in the tree stratum, but are not abundant. Conifers are absent or of relatively minor significance. There is usually a dense, shrubby understory, with commonly present species including Cornus sericea, Corylus cornuta, Oplopanax horridus, Ribes inerme, Ribes lacustre, Rosa woodsii, Rubus idaeus, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus spectabilis, Salix spp., Spiraea douglasii, Symphoricarpos spp., and Viburnum spp. Forbs and ferns dominate the herbaceous layer; species include Achlys triphylla, Aconitum columbianum, Athyrium filix-femina, Calamagrostis canadensis, Caltha palustris, Carex spp., Equisetum arvense, Impatiens capensis, Lycopus uniflorus, Maianthemum dilatatum, Maianthemum stellatum, Oxalis oregana, Polystichum munitum, Symplocarpus foetidus, Thelypteris palustris, Trillium ovatum, and Typha species.
Dynamics: Flooding and scouring may be required for establishment of some of these forests. These are riverside and river terrace communities, associated with periodic flooding. These are successional forests and are maintained by periodic disturbance created by waterflows. Alnus rubra is a short-lived (80-100 years) pioneer species. Stands are often formed by disturbance such as flood events, alluvial deposition, or logging, and therefore are even-aged. Communities within this alliance may be self-perpetuating on alluvial sites. Alnus rubra is a nitrogen-fixing species which increases local soil fertility after colonization.
Environmental Description: Vegetation within this alliance usually occurs along low-elevation (0-1000 m) alluvial valley bottom landforms and floodplains along the major rivers and streams, which often flood from winter into late spring or early summer. Stands also occur in moist ravines of the foothills. Sites include backwaters, and often have heavy, poorly drained soils and old oxbow lakes.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in coastal and interior lowlands between the Cascade Range and coastal mountains of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, as well as islands and mainland lowlands of southeastern Alaska.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899797
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.NCCN-001 [A.342 was never part of this concept]
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf maple forest) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.450.00]
>< Alnus rubra (Red alder forest) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.410.00]
? Alder Thicket (Curtis 1959)
>< Red Alder Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Alnus rubra (Red alder forest) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.410.00]
? Alder Thicket (Curtis 1959)
>< Red Alder Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
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