Name:
Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Heracleum maximum Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This mesic, montane to lower subalpine, mixed coniferous-deciduous forest occurs at elevations between 1370 and 1700 m (4500-5600 feet) on flat to moderate toeslopes or low slopes at variable aspects. Stands at higher elevations tend to be found on south-facing slopes. Soil texture ranges from well-drained sandy loams to moderately well-drained silty clay loams. Soils tend to be moderately well-developed and gravelly, developed on glacio-fluvial or morainal landforms. Average litter cover is 50%. This mixed evergreen-deciduous forest generally occurs in the transition zone between higher elevation Pinus contorta and Pseudotsuga menziesii forests and lower elevation pure Populus tremuloides stands. Total tree canopy ranges from 30-60% with heights between 10-15 m. Populus tremuloides dominates the tree canopy with 20-40% cover. Conifer species present are variable and include Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, or Picea engelmannii; the total conifer cover ranges between 3 and 40%. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa may be present with low cover. Short shrubs, averaging 0.5-2 m in height, dominate the midstory with 10-40% cover. Symphoricarpos albus and Amelanchier alnifolia are consistently present with 1-30% cover and 1-3% cover, respectively. Other dominant shrubs that may be present include Spiraea betulifolia with 3-20% cover and Rubus parviflorus with 3-10% cover. Rosa woodsii, Ribes inerme, and Sorbus scopulina may also be present with low cover. Diversity of herbaceous species and abundance is high with an average cover of 5%, ranging between 2-100%. Highly constant species include Heracleum maximum, Melica subulata, Elymus glaucus, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Thalictrum occidentale, and Angelica arguta. Some herbaceous species that may have high cover include forbs Viola glabella, Actaea rubra, Veratrum viride, Chamerion angustifolium, Prosartes trachycarpa (= Disporum trachycarpum), Geranium viscosissimum, Cirsium hookerianum, and Hackelia floribunda, and graminoids Carex geyeri, Bromus carinatus, and Melica smithii.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28254.POPULUSTREMULOI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
