Name:
Populus tremuloides / Ceanothus velutinus Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association occurs on the slopes of ridges and mountains in northwestern Wyoming and western Colorado. Elevations range from 2225-2680 m (7300-8800 feet). These forests occur on north to northeast slopes in Colorado and southern slopes in Wyoming. Soils vary from very well-drained, non-skeletal sandy loam and loam to very coarse rocky colluvium, and may be shallow to deep. Stands are often located at the middle to upper portions of the slope; slopes range from level to more than 100%. <i>Populus tremuloides</i> makes up a pure, but often open, tree canopy, while the shrub layer consists of a variable mix in which <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> is usually dominant. Other common shrub species include <i>Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Rubus parviflorus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier alnifolia, Spiraea betulifolia</i>, and <i>Sorbus scopulina</i>. The herbaceous layer is diverse and may include <i>Eucephalus engelmannii (= Aster engelmannii), Eurybia glauca, Lathyrus lanszwertii, Lupinus</i> spp., <i>Thalictrum fendleri, Machaeranthera canescens, Arnica cordifolia, Iliamna rivularis, Calamagrostis rubescens, Bromus porteri, Bromus carinatus, Achnatherum lettermanii</i>, and <i>Carex geyeri</i>. This association appears to be maintained by stand-replacing fire, as both <i>Populus tremuloides</i> and <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> will resprout after a cool fire. The seeds of <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> and the rootstocks of <i>Populus tremuloides</i> can persist in the soil for more than 100 years, and re-establish themselves from seeds and sprouts following a hot fire.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32731.CEGL000581
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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