Name:
Populus tremuloides / Shepherdia canadensis Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This <i>Populus tremuloides</i> forest association occurs in eastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and central Colorado. It occurs on dry ridges between 2092 and 3078 m (6860-10,100 feet) elevation. This association is considered one of the driest aspen types. Stands usually occur on steep low to midslopes, although stands have also occurred on near-flat terraces. Soils are often dry, well-drained sandy loams. The tree canopy is dominated by <i>Populus tremuloides</i>. Scattered conifers, such as <i>Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>, or <i>Pinus contorta</i>, are frequently present in small amounts. The shrub layer is characterized by the dominance of <i>Shepherdia canadensis</i>. <i>Juniperus communis</i> can also have high cover. Additional shrub associates can include <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i>, and <i>Paxistima myrsinites</i> among others. The herbaceous layer is composed of a mix of graminoids and forbs, the latter often more abundant and diverse. Common (but not consistent) graminoid species include <i>Elymus trachycaulus, Bromus ciliatus</i>, and sometimes <i>Calamagrostis rubescens</i>. Forbs usually present (but no one species consistently so) include <i>Geranium viscosissimum, Lupinus argenteus, Thalictrum fendleri, Osmorhiza berteroi, Fragaria vesca, Galium boreale</i>, and <i>Achillea millefolium</i>. Diagnostic for this association is the prominence of <i>Shepherdia canadensis</i> in the shrub layer, below a <i>Populus tremuloides</i>-dominated overstory.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29515-{B56EFA44-A658-428C-9503-9A87804E5767}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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