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A.204 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.204
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: The vegetation in this alliance occurs in riparian areas in northwestern Montana. The climate regime is maritime; moist air masses from the Pacific Ocean release large amounts of snow and rain. Summers are warm and dry as dry air masses move across western Montana. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Stands are located in low-elevation (880-900 m) valleys adjacent to meandering streams and ponds. Stands are found on level sites that have a high water table; the water table is usually within 50 cm of the soil surface throughout the year. Standing water is present in depressions. Soils are poorly drained and have a high organic matter content in the upper horizon. ~Picea engelmannii$ and hybrid swarms of ~Picea$ (a result of its hybridization with ~Picea glauca$, a common lower elevation condition) dominate a moderately open tree canopy. ~Betula papyrifera$ is occasionally present. A number of shrub species occur in the understory; the most common species are ~Alnus incana, Betula occidentalis$, and ~Cornus sericea$. The herbaceous layer is dominated by the forb ~Lysichiton americanus$. ~Cinna latifolia$ and ~Athyrium filix-femina$ are common associates, but occur in low abundances. ~Carex$ spp., ~Phalaris arundinacea, Typha latifolia$, and ~Salix$ spp. dominate adjacent riparian communities. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1720.A204
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: I.A.8.N.g
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: PICEA ENGELMANNII SATURATED FOREST ALLIANCE
  Code: A.204
  Common: Engelmann Spruce Saturated Forest Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Picea engelmannii Saturated Forest Alliance