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Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This association is locally common on moderate to steep slopes on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. This mesic, montane association is located on moderately steep to very steep toeslopes to midslopes with mostly south and east aspects. Elevations range between 1000 and 1190 m (3300-3900 feet). Soils are moderately well- to well-drained sandy or silty loams or clay loams. Litter comprises 40-90% of the ground cover. This mixed conifer-deciduous forest occurs as a result of disturbance, either fire or avalanche. Total tree canopy cover ranges from 5-60% with heights between 5-35 m; some emergent trees may reach heights of 50 m. <i>Betula papyrifera</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> codominate the canopy layer, each with 3-30% cover. Trees tend to range in age from 30 to 65 years. <i>Larix occidentalis</i> may also be common, while <i>Pinus contorta</i> and <i>Picea engelmannii</i> remain scattered in the overstory with low constancy. Tall-shrub cover is high, ranging from 20-50% with heights mostly measuring 1-5 m. <i>Acer glabrum</i> and <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i> dominate the tall-shrub layer with 1-20% cover. <i>Rubus parviflorus</i> and <i>Cornus sericea</i> are also common; other common shrubs with lower cover include <i>Lonicera utahensis, Salix scouleriana</i>, and <i>Holodiscus discolor</i>. <i>Taxus brevifolia, Ribes lacustre</i>, and <i>Sorbus scopulina</i> may be present in certain areas with moderate to high cover. Short-shrub cover ranges from 1-30% with heights from less than 0.5 to 1m. <i>Symphoricarpos albus</i> and <i>Paxistima myrsinites</i> are the most common short shrubs, while <i>Spiraea betulifolia, Vaccinium membranaceum</i>, and <i>Shepherdia canadensis</i> are often also present with low cover. The herbaceous cover ranges from 10-50%. The presence of <i>Clintonia uniflora</i> is the indicator for this association, even if other herbaceous species have higher cover. Other common forbs include <i>Aralia nudicaulis, Prosartes hookeri</i>, and <i>Viola orbiculata</i> with 1-25% cover. Other high-constancy species include <i>Adenocaulon bicolor, Bromus vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Osmorhiza berteroi</i>, and <i>Elymus glaucus</i> with 1-3% cover. Nonvascular cover is low (0-5%). 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34557-{71F28B2B-B84B-4BF8-929B-CAC0B2FDF0A3}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 09-Feb-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730778 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005904
  Translated: Paper Birch - Conifer / Bride's Bonnet Woodland
  Scientific: Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland
(similar) Betula papyrifera - Conifer / Clintonia uniflora Woodland