Abstract for CNVC00083
Forest
Forêt
Picea glauca – Populus tremuloides – P. balsamifera / Lonicera involucrata / Rubus pubescens
White Spruce – Trembling Aspen – Balsam Poplar / Bracted Honeysuckle / Dwarf Raspberry
Épinette blanche – Peuplier faux-tremble – Peuplier baumier / Chèvrefeuille involucré / Ronce pubescente
CNVC00083 is a boreal mixedwood forest Association that occurs in Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan and likely British Columbia (BC). It has a moderately closed canopy that is usually dominated by white spruce (Picea glauca) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and, in the Rocky Mountain foothills, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), are common overstory associates. The understory is relatively species rich. The well-developed shrub layer usually includes squashberry (Viburnum edule), prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) and bracted honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata), although red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and green alder (Alnus viridis) can be abundant when present. Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) often dominates the moderately developed to dense herb and dwarf shrub layer. This layer typically also includes bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), naked mitrewort (Mitella nuda), arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), tall bluebells (Mertensia paniculata) and in the BC and Alberta portions of the range, bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis). The forest floor cover is mainly broad-leaf and grass litter so the moss layer is sparse with only minor cover of feathermosses (Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens and Ptilium crista-castrensis). CNVC0083 occurs in a region with a subhumid continental boreal climate. It is found on moist to mesic, nutrient-rich to medium sites; these are among the most productive sites in the region. It can succeed an early seral, post-fire Association or be the first cohort following disturbance. Disturbance type and history affect the relative dominance of trembling aspen and white spruce in each stand of this Association.
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