Print Report
A3768 Populus tremuloides - Alnus rubra Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands dominated by tree species Alnus rubra and/or Populus tremuloides. These deciduous tree-dominated upper canopy forests occur along montane (below alpine and above foothill) riparian areas, wetlands and seeps in the Cascade Range and as far east as the Blue Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Red Alder Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Quaking Aspen - Red Alder Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands with a deciduous tree-dominated canopy of Alnus rubra and/or Populus tremuloides. Understory shrub associates include Acer glabrum, Rosa gymnocarpa, Rubus parviflorus, Symphoricarpos mollis, and Vaccinium membranaceum. Herbaceous species with a strong affinity to the community are Adiantum pedatum, Anemone piperi, Asarum caudatum, Athyrium filix-femina, Circaea alpina, Clintonia uniflora, Coptis occidentalis, Cornus canadensis, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Polystichum munitum, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata. Stands occur along montane (below alpine and above foothill) riparian areas, wetlands and seeps in the Cascade Range and as far east as the Blue Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Riparian/seeps at montane elevations dominated by Populus tremuloides and/or Alnus rubra.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Montane riparian and wetlands dominated by deciduous trees that have 25% relative cover.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a dense canopy of broad-leaved deciduous trees. There may be a shrub layer composed of deciduous species, if the substrate has been stable long enough. The herbaceous layer is composed of perennial forbs. Cover information is not available for either the shrub or herbaceous layers.
Floristics: These forest stands are typically the result of the rapid establishment and domination by Alnus rubra following stand-replacing disturbance (such as an intense wildfire or a landslide). The even-aged Alnus rubra forms a single-layered, dense deciduous forest canopy. Understory shrub associates include Acer glabrum, Rosa gymnocarpa, Rubus parviflorus, Symphoricarpos mollis, and Vaccinium membranaceum. Herbaceous species with a strong affinity to the community are Adiantum pedatum, Anemone piperi, Asarum caudatum, Athyrium filix-femina, Circaea alpina, Clintonia uniflora, Coptis occidentalis, Cornus canadensis, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Polystichum munitum, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata (= Tiarella unifoliata) (Steele 1971).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest alliance occurs on well-drained, moderate to steep slopes in mid to lower slope and toeslope positions from approximately 480-915 m in elevation. Sites are usually influenced by cold-air drainage. These Alnus rubra-dominated stands occur within the warmest extreme of the inland maritime climatic regime, generally being restricted to very moist and warm sites. This region is characterized by rugged topography and a history of repeated natural mass-wasting, and alluvial deposition is apparent in these steep V-shaped valleys. These mass-wasting disturbance events occur with sufficient frequency to maintain the early-seral Alnus rubra-dominated stands.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in Oregon and Washington Coast and Cascade ranges and as far east as the Blue Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899820
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b Mountain Hemlock - Fir species / Willow species Montane Riparian Woodland Group | G507 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Alliance | A3768 Quaking Aspen - Red Alder Swamp Forest Alliance | A3768 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000002 Red Alder / Pacific Ninebark - Lewis'' Mock Orange Swamp Forest | CEGL000002 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000008 Red Alder / Common Ladyfern - British Columbia Wild Ginger Swamp Forest | CEGL000008 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002600 Red Alder / Northern Maidenhair Swamp Forest | CEGL002600 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- 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.
- Moseley, R. K. 1988. Rare species and community inventory along two routes of the Dworsak Access Road through the Aquarius Research Natural Area. The Nature Conservancy. 14 pp.
- Steele, R. W. 1971. Red alder habitats in Clearwater County, Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 88 pp.