Name:
Populus deltoides - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This cottonwood - green ash riparian forest community occurs throughout the northern and central Great Plains of the United States and adjacent Canada. Stands occur along rivers and streams and around ponds and lakes. The alluvial soils are variable, with silty clay loam, clay loam, clay, and loam soils in the northern Plains and sandy soils in the central Plains. It is a riparian open to closed-canopy forest dominated by deciduous trees. Populus deltoides and Fraxinus pennsylvanica are the most abundant mature trees. Acer negundo and Ulmus americana may also be present in the tree layer. Juniperus scopulorum may occur in the western portion of this community's range, and Juniperus virginiana in the eastern part. This community is dynamic and in younger stands Populus deltoides is the dominant but as stands age Fraxinus pennsylvanica becomes more prominent. The shrub layer is often vigorous. Species such as Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus communis, Prunus virginiana, Cornus drummondii, and Cornus sericea ssp. sericea can be abundant. Carex spp., Juncus spp., Leymus cinereus, Lysimachia ciliata, Thalictrum venulosum, and Elymus canadensis are common in the northern Plains, and Amphicarpaea bracteata, Carex blanda, Geum canadense, Parietaria pensylvanica and others in the central Plains. Weedy species are almost ubiquitous, especially Poa pratensis, Bromus inermis, Melilotus officinalis, Ambrosia spp., and Urtica spp.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.21982.POPULUSDELTOIDE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
