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Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana Riparian Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana Riparian Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This riparian plant association is located in narrow ravines and along first- and second-order streams in Colorado at elevations of 2480 to 2930 m (8140-9600 feet). At the upper end of its elevational range it typically occurs where upland <i>Populus tremuloides</i> forests intermix with riparian shrub vegetation, while at lower elevations it occurs where <i>Populus tremuloides</i> persists only in the riparian zone. Stream gradients range from 1 to 30% slopes. Soils are generally skeletal, shallow, sandy and sandy clay loams or deeper sandy clay loams. The open to closed tree canopy has 10-70% cover of <i>Populus tremuloides</i>. Several conifer species can occur, but <i>Populus tremuloides</i> is clearly the dominant tree species. Other tree species that may be present include <i>Pinus contorta, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea pungens</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. The shrub layer is dominated by 10-70% cover of <i>Alnus incana</i>, which is diagnostic of this riparian type. Other associated shrubs may include <i>Salix drummondiana, Lonicera involucrata, Rosa woodsii</i>, and <i>Salix bebbiana</i>. The forb layer can be dense and includes <i>Cardamine cordifolia, Mertensia ciliata, Osmorhiza depauperata</i>, and <i>Senecio triangularis</i>. Graminoid cover may include <i>Calamagrostis canadensis, Equisetum arvense</i>, and <i>Carex disperma</i>. The presence of obligate riparian species in the shrub and forb canopies along the immediate streambank distinguishes this riparian plant association from the adjacent upland <i>Populus tremuloides</i> associations. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30059-{9AF8BA89-962E-4B31-A427-4CA41AD80A8D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 20
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 05-May-2005 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686302 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001150
  Translated: Quaking Aspen / Gray Alder Riparian Forest
  Scientific: Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana Riparian Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL001150
(similar) Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana Forest
(similar) Populus tremuloides / Alnus incana Forest