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Populus deltoides / Distichlis spicata Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Populus deltoides / Distichlis spicata Woodland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This riparian woodland association is described from several river valleys of eastern Colorado, primarily the South Platte and Arkansas rivers and their major tributaries in the plains. Stands may also occur in eastern Wyoming. Sites are floodplains of major streams and rivers within the western portion of the Great Plains at elevations ranging from 1600-1000 m. The floodplains of these rivers are typically wide and flat with a variety of depositional and erosional features present. Stands occur on higher terraces away from the active floodplain, where the soil surface is drier, but trees are able to tap the deeper water table. Flooding is infrequent on these terraces. Soils are well-drained, alkaline, poorly developed and typically derived from alluvium, aeolian deposits and shale. A relatively open canopy of the broad-leaved deciduous tree Populus deltoides characterizes these woodlands, with cover varying from roughly 20% to over 70%. Other deciduous trees are occasionally present, including the natives Salix amygdaloides and Acer negundo, and several introduced species such as Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus spp., and Elaeagnus angustifolia. The shrub layer is poorly developed or entirely absent. Shrubs, when present, include Ribes aureum, Rosa woodsii, Salix exigua, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Toxicodendron radicans, and introduced Tamarix spp. The sparse to dense herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial grass Distichlis spicata (6-70% cover). Herbaceous cover varies with tree canopy closure, in that the more open woodlands have denser graminoid cover. Sporobolus cryptandrus and Pascopyrum smithii are other common perennial grasses. Many other graminoid and forb species may be common, including several introduced species, especially in disturbed stands.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20054.POPULUSDELTOIDE Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Populus deltoides Temporarily Flooded Woodland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Eastern Cottonwood / Saltgrass Woodland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684220 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000939   Common: Cottonwood / Inland Saltgrass Floodplain Woodland   Scientific: Populus deltoides / Distichlis spicata Woodland (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) / Distichlis spicata Woodland