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Populus fremontii / Sparse Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Populus fremontii / Sparse Forest
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This mature forest association is known only from the San Francisco River watershed, although it likely occurs to a limited extent elsewhere in southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. It is found within the floodplain of large, lowland valleys at elevations around 1500 m (5000 feet). Sites are typically alluvial terraces that are rarely flooded (25- to 100-year recurrence interval and discharge ratios of 3.6 to 11.2). In keeping with the high landscape position, soils are deep but sandy and relatively dry (sandy and sandy-skeletal Oxyaquic Ustifluvents). Mature Populus fremontii form dense canopies (>60% cover) with only scattered representatives of other floodplain tree species. Although 20 undergrowth species have been recorded for the association, only Baccharis salicifolia and Melilotus officinalis are known to exceed 1% cover. The relatively dry environment combined with shading likely drive the low understory diversity. As a keystone species, the reproduction of Populus fremontii after flooding (and sufficient subsequent base flows) is critical to the sustainability of this community. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.28110.POPULUSFREMONTI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 19-Jul-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Translated: Fremont Cottonwood / Sparse Forest
  Scientific: Populus fremontii / Sparse Forest
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.737519 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005979
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Populus fremontii / Sparse Forest