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Populus tremuloides / Heracleum maximum Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Populus tremuloides / Heracleum maximum Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This association has been extensively documented from the East Front of the Rocky Mountains of Montana and into Alberta, on sites ranging from 1290-1750 m (4200-5750 feet). It occurs as small- to large-patch types in narrow mountain valleys, glacial moraine depressions underlain by clay lenses and often filled with loessal soils, lee slope position also having deep loess deposits, springs or seeps on hillslopes, and as a fringe about glacial kettle lakes. The overstory is dominated by <i>Populus tremuloides</i> with an occasional <i>Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa</i> and seedling/saplings of several conifer species scattered and showing little potential to eventually dominate. The dominant aspect of the undergrowth is that of a rich assortment of tall forbs, but occasionally <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i> comprises a conspicuous layer below the forbs. Forbs both diagnostic and usually dominant in various combinations include <i>Osmorhiza occidentalis, Angelica arguta</i> (or <i>Angelica dawsonii</i>), <i>Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Geranium richardsonii, Viola canadensis, Veratrum viride, Galium triflorum</i>, and <i>Actaea rubra</i>. Among the tall graminoids, <i>Elymus glaucus</i> often has the greatest canopy cover and highest constancy; others include <i>Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis canadensis, Schizachne purpurascens</i>, and <i>Cinna latifolia</i>. This type appears to be a self-perpetuating community as inferred by tree population age-class structure. Charcoal has not been found in the soil of these sites which indicates a lack of fire and points to long-term site occupancy by <i>Populus tremuloides</i> in a landscape where the prevailing model of succession predicts (erroneously) these sites to be eventually dominated by conifers. Conifers establish, if at all, at a glacial rate. This association is considered premier grizzly bear habitat in the spring and early summer and excellent wildlife habitat in general.  Accession Code: VB.CC.31137.CEGL000595 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689815 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Quaking Aspen / Common Cow-parsnip Forest   Scientific: Populus tremuloides / Heracleum maximum Forest   Code: CEGL000595