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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 from 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 <i>Populus tremuloides</i> with four conifer species, <i>Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. The subcanopy tree layer is dominated by <i>Populus tremuloides</i>, but <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> may also be present. The short-shrub layer in the understory is prominent, with <i>Spiraea betulifolia</i> and <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i> the most abundant species. <i>Juniperus communis</i> 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 <i>Salix scouleriana, Acer glabrum</i>, and <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i>. Dwarf-shrub species include <i>Clematis columbiana, Juniperus horizontalis</i>, and <i>Mahonia repens</i>. Overall herbaceous abundance is variable with 5-80% cover. <i>Carex geyeri</i> and <i>Calamagrostis rubescens</i> may sometimes be present in these stands with high to very high cover. Dominant forbs include <i>Thalictrum occidentale, Eurybia conspicua (= Aster conspicuus)</i>, and <i>Chamerion angustifolium</i>. Other common species include <i>Pedicularis bracteosa, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Populus tremuloides</i> seedlings, <i>Castilleja miniata, Elymus glaucus, Galium boreale, Lathyrus ochroleucus</i>, and <i>Maianthemum racemosum ssp. amplexicaule</i>. Cover of nonvascular species is low at 0-5%.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32250.CEGL005911 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.2.730812 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Quaking Aspen - Conifer / Shinyleaf Meadowsweet - Common Snowberry Forest   Scientific: Populus tremuloides - Conifer / Spiraea betulifolia - Symphoricarpos albus Forest   Code: CEGL005911