Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Betula papyrifera / Acer glabrum Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
  click to update datacart
Name: Betula papyrifera / Acer glabrum Woodland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association is locally common on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. It occurs on steep to very steep, mostly south-facing slopes at elevations between 1000 and 1200 m (3300-3900 feet). Soils are well-drained sandy loams or loams on colluvial landforms of argillite, including talus slopes. Generally these soils contain angular green argillite cobbles. Litter dominates the ground surface with 40-95% cover. All sampled areas have burned in natural wildfires in the last 100 years. This association is a montane, mesic, mixed evergreen-deciduous woodland that occurs as a result of hot, stand-replacing fires followed by precipitation events that erode much of the soil mantle from the slope. Consequently, few conifers establish, allowing Betula papyrifera to dominate. The upper tree canopy ranges from 30-60% cover with heights of 10-15 m. The tree subcanopy ranges from 5-60% cover. Betula papyrifera dominates with 20-50% cover. Other tree species that may be present include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Populus tremuloides, Larix occidentalis, and Pinus monticola. The tall-shrub layer ranges from 10-60% cover with heights 1-5 m. Acer glabrum and Amelanchier alnifolia are dominant; Rubus parviflorus is also common. Betula papyrifera and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings, Philadelphus lewisii, Prunus virginiana, Salix scouleriana, and Holodiscus discolor may be present with moderate to high cover. Symphoricarpos albus and Paxistima myrsinites are the most common short shrubs. Mahonia repens can dominate the dwarf-shrub layer. The herbaceous cover is low, ranging from 5-20%. Aralia nudicaulis is the most dominant forb. Other high-constancy species include Elymus glaucus, Chamerion angustifolium, Symphyotrichum laeve (= Aster laevis), and Penstemon albertinus. Nonvascular cover ranges from 0-10%. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.27948.BETULAPAPYRIFER
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 23-Feb-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Translated: Paper Birch / Rocky Mountain Maple Woodland
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731039 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Scientific: Betula papyrifera / Acer glabrum Woodland
  Code: CEGL005844
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Betula papyrifera / Acer glabrum Woodland