Name:
Populus deltoides (ssp. wislizeni, ssp. monilifera) / Distichlis spicata Riparian Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This riparian woodland association is described from major river systems of eastern Colorado, primarily the South Platte and Arkansas rivers and their major tributaries in the plains. It also occurs in the floodplains of the Yampa and Green rivers in northwestern Colorado. Stands may also occur in western Nebraska, New Mexico, eastern Wyoming and northeastern Utah. Sites are floodplains of major streams and rivers at elevations ranging from 1000 to 1700 m (3280-5600 feet). The floodplains of these rivers are typically wide and flat with a variety of depositional features present. Stands occur on higher terraces away from the active floodplain, where the soil surface is drier, but trees are able to tap the deeper water table. Flooding is infrequent on these terraces. Soils are well-drained, alkaline, poorly developed and typically derived from alluvium, eolian deposits and shale. A relatively open canopy of the broad-leaved deciduous tree <i>Populus deltoides</i> characterizes these woodlands, with cover varying from roughly 20% to over 70%. Other deciduous trees are occasionally present, including the natives <i>Salix amygdaloides</i> and <i>Acer negundo</i>, and several introduced species such as <i>Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Tamarix</i> spp., <i>Ulmus</i> spp., and <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i>. The shrub layer is poorly developed or entirely absent. Shrubs, when present, include <i>Ribes aureum, Rosa woodsii, Salix exigua, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Toxicodendron radicans</i>, and introduced <i>Tamarix</i> spp. The sparse to dense herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial grass <i>Distichlis spicata</i> (6-70% cover). Herbaceous cover varies with tree canopy closure in that the more open woodlands have denser graminoid cover. <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus, Elymus canadensis</i>, and <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i> are other common perennial grasses. Many other graminoid and forb species may be common, including several introduced species, especially in disturbed stands.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29848-{8A8E819D-D9D5-4CF7-9FE6-7B5D3CA067FD}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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