Name:
Populus tremuloides / Invasive Perennial Grasses Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This association is a widespread grazing-induced type found across much of the western U.S. within the range of aspen, including the southern and central Rocky Mountains west into the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin into eastern California and throughout much of Idaho and Montana. Stands typically occur within the elevational range of 1830-2830 m (6000-9280 feet) on flat to moderate (1-27%) benches, alluvial terraces and lower slopes, swales, near springs and especially along stream channels and valley bottoms where livestock congregate. Stands typically have current or past heavy grazing. Aspects and substrates are variable. Soils are often relatively mesic and well-developed (Mollisols) but include sandy, silty, or clay loams derived from recent alluvium, shales, granite or volcanics. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (40-60% cover) tree canopy 5-15 m tall composed of <i>Populus tremuloides</i> but may include sparse and scattered conifers, such as <i>Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii</i>, and <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i>. There is no distinct shrub stratum; however, scattered shrubs, such as <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus communis var. montana, Mahonia repens, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i>, may be present. The diagnostic feature of the understory is the lush herbaceous layer that is strongly dominated by introduced perennial graminoids, usually <i>Poa pratensis</i> (20-30% cover or more), or other introduced forage species, such as <i>Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus</i> spp., <i>Bromus inermis, Dactylis glomerata</i>, and <i>Phleum pratense</i>. Other graminoid species may include <i>Bromus carinatus, Bromus ciliatus, Bromus porteri, Carex</i> spp., <i>Elymus trachycaulus</i>, and <i>Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis</i>. Forb cover is generally low but often diverse. Forb species with high frequency include <i>Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Astragalus miser, Fragaria</i> spp., <i>Galium boreale, Geranium viscosissimum, Ligusticum porteri, Lupinus</i> sp., <i>Potentilla</i> spp., <i>Thalictrum fendleri, Thermopsis divaricarpa</i>, and <i>Trifolium longipes</i>. Introduced species, such <i>Taraxacum officinale</i> and <i>Trifolium</i> spp., are common in this frequently grazing-disturbed type.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32610-{6740D88F-835A-403B-BC05-EDC613674A60}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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