Print Report
A3837 Populus tremuloides - Picea glauca Subboreal Rocky Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is composed of rocky woodlands occurring on high rocky ridgelines within the subboreal regions of the northwestern Great Lakes in Canada and the United States. Sites occur on both dry-mesic sandy soils and shallow, loamy soils over bedrock. Canopy cover ranges from 10-60% and is dominated by Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides or, less commonly, Picea glauca.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - White Spruce Subboreal Rocky Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Subboreal Rocky Aspen - Spruce Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is composed of dry-mesic rocky woodlands occurring on rocky ridgelines within the subboreal regions of the northwestern Great Lakes in the United States and adjacent Canada. Sites occur on both dry-mesic sandy soils and shallow, loamy soils over bedrock. Crown and surface fires were common historically. Canopy cover ranges from 25-80% and the canopy is dominated by Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides or, less commonly, Picea glauca. Populus grandidentata may occur in some examples. Shrub and herbaceous layers are variable and range in cover from 5 to 80%. Corylus cornuta can be common in the shrub layer. Herbaceous diagnostics include Achillea millefolium and Chamerion angustifolium. Nonvascular cover ranges from 0-60% cover. Typical lichens include Cladonia spp. and foliose lichens; the most abundant moss is Pleurozium schreberi.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic features are the canopy of Populus tremuloides, Picea glauca, and/or Betula papyrifera, with between 25 and 80% cover and canopy closure prevented by the presence of thin loam soils over bedrock or dry-mesic sandy soil conditions.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance needs further review. At least one association attributed to this alliance is still considered provisional. More data from Canada in particular will help refine this alliance. It''s possible that this alliance could be dissolved into the other two alliances in this group, if having a deciduous association mixed with conifer associations is acceptable. The Picea glauca rocky woodlands are found at somewhat anomalous sites on Isle Royale.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Canopy cover typically ranges from 25-80%, and is dominated by a variable mix of broadleaf deciduous hardwoods and needle-leaf evergreen conifers. Shrub, herbaceous, and nonvascular layers are variable and range in cover from 5 to 80%.
Floristics: The tree canopy is dominated by Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides or, less commonly, Picea glauca. Populus grandidentata may occur in some examples. Corylus cornuta can be common in the shrub layer. Herbaceous diagnostics include Achillea millefolium and Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium). Nonvascular cover ranges from 0-60% cover. Typical lichens include Cladonia spp. (= Cladina spp.) and foliose lichens; the most abundant moss is Pleurozium schreberi (Minnesota DNR 2003).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Sites occur on both dry-mesic sandy soils and shallow, loamy soils over bedrock. Crown and surface fires were common historically (Minnesota DNR 2003).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found within the sub-boreal region of the northwestern Great Lakes region in Canada and the United States
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MI, MN, ON
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899889
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.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.6 Eastern White Pine - Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M159 | 1.B.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.6.c Jack Pine - Red Pine - Black Spruce Subboreal Forest Group | G047 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
| Alliance | A3837 Quaking Aspen - White Spruce Subboreal Rocky Woodland Alliance | A3837 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
| Association | CEGL002487 Quaking Aspen - (Bigtooth Aspen) Rocky Woodland | CEGL002487 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
| Association | CEGL005196 White Spruce - (Paper Birch) / Poverty Oatgrass Woodland | CEGL005196 | 1.B.2.Na.6.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Northern Dry-Mesic Mixed Woodland Class [FDn33] (Minnesota DNR 2003) [Primarily FDn33b]
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.