Name:
Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - 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 <i>Pinus contorta</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> forests and lower elevation pure <i>Populus tremuloides</i> stands. Total tree canopy ranges from 30-60% with heights between 10-15 m. <i>Populus tremuloides</i> dominates the tree canopy with 20-40% cover. Conifer species present are variable and include <i>Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa</i>, or <i>Picea engelmannii</i>; the total conifer cover ranges between 3 and 40%. <i>Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa</i> may be present with low cover. Short shrubs, averaging 0.5-2 m in height, dominate the midstory with 10-40% cover. <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i> and <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i> are consistently present with 1-30% cover and 1-3% cover, respectively. Other dominant shrubs that may be present include <i>Spiraea betulifolia</i> with 3-20% cover and <i>Rubus parviflorus</i> with 3-10% cover. <i>Rosa woodsii, Ribes inerme</i>, and <i>Sorbus scopulina</i> 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 <i>Heracleum maximum, Melica subulata, Elymus glaucus, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Thalictrum occidentale</i>, and <i>Angelica arguta</i>. Some herbaceous species that may have high cover include forbs <i>Viola glabella, Actaea rubra, Veratrum viride, Chamerion angustifolium, Prosartes trachycarpa (= Disporum trachycarpum), Geranium viscosissimum, Cirsium hookerianum</i>, and <i>Hackelia floribunda</i>, and graminoids <i>Carex geyeri, Bromus carinatus</i>, and <i>Melica smithii</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31852.CEGL005910
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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