Name:
Populus tremuloides / Carex geyeri Forest
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This relatively common deciduous forest association occurs in the southern and central Rocky Mountains and may extend north into Montana. This montane to subalpine forest type ranges from 2350 to 3170 m (7700-10,400 feet) elevation. Sites are variable, but stands often occur on cool, well-drained, gentle slopes (<20%). Substrates are moderately deep, sandy loam to clayey soils. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by <i>Populus tremuloides</i>, with no shrub layer, and a <i>Carex geyeri</i>-dominated herbaceous layer. Scattered conifers (<i>Picea pungens, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta</i>) may be present in the tree canopy. Occasional shrubs, such as <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, or <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i>, may be present but are too sparse to be considered a shrub layer (<10% cover). The moderate herbaceous layer is composed mostly of graminoids and is characteristically dominated by <i>Carex geyeri</i>. Other graminoids present include <i>Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Bromus</i> spp., <i>Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana</i>, and the introduced perennial graminoid <i>Poa pratensis</i>. <i>Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex rossii</i>, and <i>Festuca thurberi</i> are absent or have low cover. Forb species have low cover with relatively low diversity when compared to other aspen types.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32736.CEGL000579
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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