Name:
Populus angustifolia / Prunus virginiana Riparian Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This is a riparian woodland of low-elevation (1600-2500 m [5240-8200 feet]) foothills in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, along the western edge of the Great Plains and in the intermountain basins. Stands of this association occur in narrow to moderately broad stream valleys and narrow canyons in the foothills on narrow, elevated, or steeply sloping streambanks and benches. On these higher terraces, stands are infrequently flooded (10- to 100-year estimated recurrence interval). Stream channels are broad, low- to medium-gradient, and slightly sinuous. Soils are typically shallow sandy clay loams with many fine layers from fluvial deposition. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (>50% cover) overstory canopy dominated by <i>Populus angustifolia</i> (or in some stands <i>Populus x acuminata</i>) with a moderately dense to very dense shrub layer dominated by <i>Prunus virginiana</i>. Other trees occasionally present with low cover include <i>Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Populus tremuloides</i>, and <i>Quercus gambelii</i>, especially at on the fringes of stands. <i>Acer negundo</i> may also be present in substantial amounts. The shrub layer may also include substantial amounts of <i>Acer glabrum, Alnus incana, Amelanchier alnifolia, Cornus sericea ssp. sericea, Betula occidentalis, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos</i> spp., tree saplings, and the woody vine <i>Parthenocissus vitacea</i>. <i>Salix</i> spp. are typically poorly represented or absent. <i>Prunus virginiana</i> is considered a non-obligate riparian species because it typically grows on the outer edge of the riparian area. The herbaceous cover is moderate to dense and frequently dominated by introduced perennial grasses such as <i>Poa pratensis, Agrostis gigantea, Agrostis stolonifera, Bromus inermis, Bromus tectorum</i>, and <i>Phleum pratense</i>. Native graminoids <i>Carex geyeri, Carex pellita, Carex praegracilis, Elymus canadensis, Elymus trachycaulus, Juncus arcticus</i>, and wet or mesic forbs, such as <i>Equisetum arvense, Galium</i> spp., <i>Hydrophyllum fendleri, Heracleum maximum</i>, and <i>Solidago canadensis</i>, are also common.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29560-{68D2D489-230E-4F8A-BEA5-B3D36DE6E62D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
3
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