Print Report

A3801 Platanus wrightii Riparian Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands dominated by the broad-leaved, cold-deciduous tree Platanus wrightii. Fraxinus velutina and Juglans major are common associates in the upper canopy. It occurs along perennial or seasonally intermittent streams in Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and northern Mexico.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arizona Sycamore Riparian Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Arizona Sycamore Riparian Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands dominated by the broad-leaved cold-deciduous tree Platanus wrightii. Fraxinus velutina and Juglans major are common associates in the upper canopy. Populus fremontii can be an emergent tree but sites are not dominated by this species. Other trees present include Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Juglans major, Juniperus monosperma, Prosopis velutina, Quercus arizonica, Quercus emoryi, Robinia neomexicana, and Salix gooddingii. The vine stratum is dominated by Vitis arizonica. The shrub layer is often present and contains several of the following: Alnus oblongifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Baccharis salicifolia, Rhus trilobata, Salix bonplandiana, and Toxicodendron radicans. The herbaceous layer commonly includes Aristida spp., Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex spp., Choisya dumosa var. arizonica, Datura inoxia, Elymus elymoides, Eriogonum spp., Gutierrezia sarothrae, Marrubium vulgare, Muhlenbergia emersleyi, Muhlenbergia spp., Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. This alliance is found in Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and northern Mexico. It occurs along perennial or seasonally intermittent streams, in narrow stream valleys, on gently sloping alluvial terraces. These vegetation types require reliable surface flow during the winter-spring months, they are periodically inundated during spring runoff and generally are found along small, perennial streams. The soils are depositional and silty loam in texture.

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: The tree canopy is dominated by a broad-leaved, cold-deciduous tree, from 3-15 m tall, with an understory of tree seedlings and shrubs from 0.5-3 m tall.

Floristics: Vegetation types within this alliance are characterized as temporarily flooded, cold-deciduous forests. Platanus wrightii dominates the tree stratum. Fraxinus velutina and Juglans major are common codominants. Populus fremontii often is an emergent tree from the canopy. The tree subcanopy species may include Alnus oblongifolia, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans major, Juniperus monosperma, Prosopis velutina, Quercus arizonica, Quercus emoryi, Robinia neomexicana, Salix bonplandiana, and Salix gooddingii. The shrub layer is often present and contains any number of the following: Alnus oblongifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Baccharis salicifolia, Rhus trilobata, Salix bonplandiana, and Toxicodendron radicans. The herbaceous layer is common (no percent cover data available) and can include Aristida spp., Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex spp., Choisya dumosa var. arizonica (= Choisya arizonica), Datura inoxia (= Datura meteloides), Elymus elymoides, Eriogonum spp., Gutierrezia sarothrae, Marrubium vulgare, Muhlenbergia emersleyi, Muhlenbergia spp., Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri (= Oenothera hookeri), and/or Sporobolus cryptandrus.

Dynamics:  Occurrences require reliable surface flow during the winter-spring months. They are periodically inundated during spring runoff and generally are found along small, perennial streams. Anderson et al. (1985) state that this woodland type is very sensitive to even moderate levels of livestock grazing. Grazing can inhibit reproduction of the dominant tree species due to their high palatability.
Environmental Description:  This riparian forest and woodland alliance is located along perennial or seasonally intermittent streams in the American Southwest and adjacent Mexico. Stands occur in narrow stream valleys, on gently sloping alluvial terraces. Elevations range from 600-1800 m. These vegetation types require reliable surface flow during the winter-spring months. They are periodically inundated during spring runoff and generally are found along small, perennial streams. Soils are silty or sandy, shallow, with large cobbles. The surface water is present for brief periods during the growing season, but the water table usually lies well below the soil surface.
Geographic Range: This alliance is common throughout lower elevations (<1800 m) in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, MXCHH, MXSON, NM


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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division D013 1.B.3.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nd.2 Interior Warm & Cool Desert Riparian Forest Macrogroup M036 1.B.3.Nd.2
Group 1.B.3.Nd.2.b Western Interior Riparian Forest & Woodland Group G797 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Alliance A3801 Arizona Sycamore Riparian Forest Alliance A3801 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL000644 Arizona Sycamore - Velvet Ash Riparian Forest CEGL000644 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL000645 Arizona Sycamore - Arizona Walnut Riparian Forest CEGL000645 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL000937 Arizona Sycamore Riparian Woodland CEGL000937 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL002686 Arizona Sycamore - Arizona Alder / Mule-fat Riparian Forest CEGL002686 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL002710 Arizona Sycamore / Deergrass Riparian Forest CEGL002710 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL002712 Arizona Sycamore / Sand Dropseed Riparian Forest CEGL002712 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL005338 Arizona Sycamore / Mexican Blue Oak Riparian Woodland CEGL005338 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL005959 Arizona Sycamore / California Brickellbush Riparian Forest CEGL005959 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL005960 Arizona Sycamore / Sparse Riparian Forest CEGL005960 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL005991 Arizona Sycamore / Sideoats Grama Riparian Forest CEGL005991 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Concept Lineage: Combines A.643 with A.309

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Arizona Cypress: 240 (Eyre 1980)
>< Forest Type: Platanus wrightii series (Bassett et al. 1987)
>< Interior and Californian Riparian Deciduous Forests and Woodlands (Brown 1982a) [within Warm-Temperate Wetlands.]
>< Temperate Riparian Deciduous Forest Biome: Mixed Broadleaf Series (Pase and Layser 1977)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
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