Name:
Populus balsamifera (ssp. trichocarpa, ssp. balsamifera) / Symphoricarpos (albus, oreophilus, occidentalis) Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association is known from the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, through the Columbia Basin to the Cascades of eastern Washington, into central and northern Idaho, western Wyoming, and north to the mountains of southern British Columbia. This late-seral association typically occurs at low elevations from 579 to 2040 m (1900-6693 feet) in broad mountain valleys and canyons of low- to moderate-gradient streams and rivers. The association occupies alluvial terraces with deep silty loam soils (over cobble and gravel) on infrequently flooded sites well above the average high-water line and summer water table. Tall and mature <i>Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa</i> form the open to closed overstory canopy, with occasional understory asexual reproduction and conifers present. Conifer species, especially <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>, may indicate the potential successional pathway on these relatively dry terrace sites. The shrub layer is clearly dominated by one species of <i>Symphoricarpos</i>, either <i>Symphoricarpos albus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, or <i>Symphoricarpos occidentalis</i> (usually with at least 20% cover), although a variety of other tall and medium shrubs (all with cover less than <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i>) are often present. The most consistently prominent shrubs are <i>Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Crataegus douglasii, Philadelphus lewisii, Prunus virginiana, Rosa</i> spp., and <i>Rubus parviflorus</i>, the presence of which may reflect successional relationships with other alluvial terrace associations. The herbaceous layer is diverse, but has only moderate cover, and often includes exotic species indicative of past disturbance. Perennial grasses, especially <i>Elymus glaucus, Phalaris arundinacea</i>, and <i>Poa pratensis</i>, often codominate with various tall forbs and <i>Equisetum</i> spp. The most important forbs include <i>Clematis ligusticifolia, Heracleum maximum, Maianthemum</i> spp., <i>Thalictrum occidentale</i>, and <i>Urtica dioica</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32038.CEGL000677
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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- status: accepted
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This Community's Level:
association
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 This Community's Children:
[none]
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Names:
UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687134
NatureServe
Explorer
Translated: (Black Cottonwood, Balsam Poplar) / (Common Snowberry, Mountain Snowberry, Western Snowberry) Forest
Scientific: Populus balsamifera (ssp. trichocarpa, ssp. balsamifera) / Symphoricarpos (albus, oreophilus, occidentalis) Forest
Code: CEGL000677
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