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Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Spiraea betulifolia - Symphoricarpos albus Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Spiraea betulifolia - Symphoricarpos albus Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This tentatively defined mixed aspen-conifer forest has been reported form Glacier National Park, Montana. It is a mesic montane association typically located on flat basin floors to moderately steep toeslopes on variable aspects. This type occurs at elevations between 1585 and 1685 m (5200-5530 feet) east of the Continental Divide and near 1135 m (3720 feet) west of the Continental Divide. Soil texture is a moderately well- to well-drained loam to sandy clay loam with moderate gravel content (5-30%) comprised of argillite. Parent material is glacial till. Litter, with 60-90% cover, dominates the ground surface, although downed wood may be common with 2-20% cover. Stand age for one of the sampled areas on the west side of Glacier National Park was 60 years. This mixed evergreen-cold deciduous forest occurs in transitional zones between pure aspen stands and mixed evergreen forests on the east side of Glacier National Park and in low-elevation areas that have burned in the last century on the west side of the park. Tree canopy cover averages 60-70% and is dominated by Populus tremuloides with four conifer species, Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The subcanopy tree layer is dominated by Populus tremuloides, but Abies lasiocarpa and Pseudotsuga menziesii may also be present. The short-shrub layer in the understory is prominent, with Spiraea betulifolia and Symphoricarpos albus the most abundant species. Juniperus communis is often present with low cover. Tall and dwarf-shrubs occur only occasionally, and when present comprise only 5% average cover. Common tall shrubs include Salix scouleriana, Acer glabrum, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Dwarf-shrub species include Clematis columbiana, Juniperus horizontalis, and Mahonia repens. Overall herbaceous abundance is variable with 5-80% cover. Carex geyeri and Calamagrostis rubescens may sometimes be present in these stands with high to very high cover. Dominant forbs include Thalictrum occidentale, Eurybia conspicua (= Aster conspicuus), and Chamerion angustifolium. Other common species include Pedicularis bracteosa, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Abies lasiocarpa and Populus tremuloides seedlings, Castilleja miniata, Elymus glaucus, Galium boreale, Lathyrus ochroleucus, and Maianthemum racemosum ssp. amplexicaule. Cover of nonvascular species is low at 0-5%.  Accession Code: VB.CC.28256.POPULUSTREMULOI Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 10-Feb-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet - Common Snowberry Forest   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730812 NatureServe Explorer   Scientific: Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Spiraea betulifolia - Symphoricarpos albus Forest   Code: CEGL005911 (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Spiraea betulifolia - Symphoricarpos albus Forest