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BC Conservation Data Centre: Ecological Community Summary

Populus trichocarpa - Alnus rubra / Rubus spectabilis
black cottonwood - red alder / salmonberry

 
Scientific Name: Populus trichocarpa - Alnus rubra / Rubus spectabilis
English Name: black cottonwood - red alder / salmonberry
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: Meidinger, D. 1992. Vegetation classification hierarchy: DBASE September 1992. B.C. Minist. For. Res. Branch, Victoria.
Ecosystem Group: Terrestrial Realm - Flood Group (F): Middle Bench Flood Class (Fm)
Terrestrial Realm - Forest: Broadleaf - moist/wet
   
Conservation Status / Legal Designation
Global Status: GNR
Provincial Status: S3 (Jul 2010)
BC List: Blue
Provincial FRPA list:   
Notable Species:
 
Ecology & Dynamics
Environmental Summary: This ecological community is found on the floodplains of rivers on the British Columbia coast and coastal mountains, and on Vancouver Island. It occurs on fluvial benches that are flooded frequently, perhaps annually, for moderately long periods and have a high water table for prolonged periods; these conditions inhibit conifer establishment. Sites are level with regosolic soils that usually have a sandy or coarse loamy texture and are built up over time from fluvial deposits. Gravels are usually found at depth. Sites with silty or clayey soil layers are common. The growing conditions are rich to very rich and the moisture regime subhygric to hygric. The forest floor is usually poorly developed and may show evidence of recent mineral deposits (McLennan 1995, Green and Klinka 1994, MacKenzie and Moran 2004).
Vegetation Summary: This deciduous forest ecosystem is found in coastal areas of British Columbia and in the Coast Mountains. These forests have a canopy of Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), often with a component of Alnus rubra (red alder), Thuja plicata (western redcedar) and Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce). The dense shrub layer is dominated by Rubus spectabilis (salmonberry), but may have a significant component of Cornus stolonifera (red-osier dogwood), Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry), Sambucus racemosa (red elderberry), Oplopanax horridus (devil's club), Ribes bracteosum (stink currant) and young Picea sitchensis and Alnus rubra trees. The herb layer is often sparse and may contain a variety of species including Maianthemum dilatatum (false lily-of-the-valley) and Equisetum arvense (common horsetail). Sites with finer soil horizons often have herb species such as Oenanthe sarmentosa (Pacific water-parsley), Carex utriculata (beaked sedge) and Scirpus microcarpus (small-flowered bulrush) that indicate wetter sites (Mackenzie and Moran 2004, Banner et al. 1993). Some indicator species may be absent from northern portions of the range of this ecosystem (Fuller 2002). This ecosystem is distinguished from low bench ecosystems by the lack of willows and taller vegetation stature, and from high-bench ecosystems by low cover of conifers and less frequent flooding (Banner et al. 1993).
Dynamic Processes Summary: This is a young to old riparian forest ecosystem that forms on active fluvial deposits along coastal rivers. These fluvial deposits are subject to depositional and erosional processes, and thus may not be permanent on the landscape. The establishment of conifers may be restricted to elevated microsites and coarse woody debris (Banner et al. 1993, Green and Klinka 1994, McLennan 1995, de Groot et al. 2005). These ecosystems usually develop from low-bench ecosystems and often develop into the conifer dominated high-bench ecosystems, as the accumulation of fluvial sediments raise the site making flooding less frequent (McLennan 1995, MacKenzie and Moran 2004).
Spatial Pattern:
 
Distribution
Endemic:
   
Authors / Contributors
Author: de Groot, A.
Last updated: Mar 30, 2012
   
References and Related Literature
B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) Map, WHSE_FOREST_VEGETATION.BEC_BIOGEOCLIMATIC_POLY [ESRI ArcSDE format]. Version 9. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch, Victoria, B.C. Updated Regularly.
Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thomson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. B.C. Minist. For., Res. Branch, Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 26.
Clement, C. 1990. Ecosystem units of the Khutzeymateen and Kateen drainages. Unpubl. rep. prepared for For. Sci. Sect., B.C. Minist. of For., Smithers, B.C. 81pp.
de Groot, A., S. Haussler and D. Yole. 2005. Landscape and Stand Scale Structure and Dynamics, and Conservation Ranking, of the Skeena River Floodplain Forests. Bulkley Valley Centre for Natural Resource Research and Management, Smithers, B.C.
Green, R.N., and K. Klinka. 1994. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. B.C. Minist. For., Res. Branch, Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 28.
MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: a guide to identification. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 52.
McLennan, D.S. 1995. Vegetation Dynamics and Ecosystem Classification on Alluvial Floodplains in Coastal British Columbia. In K.E. Morgan and M.A. Lashmar (eds). Proceedings of a Workshop Sponsored by Environment Canada and the B.C. Forestry Continuing Studies Network held in Kamloops, BC, 4-5 May, 1993: 33-43. Fraser River Action Plan Special Publication. Environment Canada: North Vancouver, B.C.
McPhee, M., P. Ward, J. Kirkby, L. Wolfe, N. Page, K. Dunster, N.K. Dawe, and I. Nykwist. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, 1993 - 1997. Volume 2: Conservation Manual. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 345, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
Predictive Ecosystem Mapping [PEM] - EcoGen of the Morice Forest District. March 2001b. Ministry of Forests Research Branch, Ministry of Forests Prince Rupert Region and, Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Skeena Region. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Predictive Ecosystem Mapping [PEM] of the Lillooet TSA, Final Report. March, 2004. Prepared for Ainsworth Lumber Company, by Shamaya Consulting, Vernon, B.C. and Silvatech Group Consulting Ltd., Salmon Arm, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands: Sensitive Ecosystems Mapping, Disturbance Mapping and Re-evaluation of Major Riparian Corridors. 2004. Prepared by Axys Environ. Consulting Ltd. for Environ. Can., Can. Wildl. Serv., B.C. Minist. Sustainable Resour. Manage., and B.C. Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., and the Habitat Conserv. Trust Fund. 66 mapsheets, 1:20 000 scale.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent Islands. 2005. Cadrin, C., C. Erwin, B. Fuller, C. Schaefer and J. Stacey. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] (Reconnaissance Level), of the King Island and Ingram-Ellerslie Lake Study Area of the central B.C. coast. March 31, 2006. Prepared for David Byng, Western Forest Products Inc., Campbell River, B.C., by R.N. Green, B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd.1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the BC GAS Inland Pacific Connector Project. 2002. Prepared for Wayne Biggs at Westland Resource Group, by JMJ Holdings Inc., Nelson, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Atleo, Bedwell, Bulson River, Catface, Flores Island, Fortune, Hesquiat, Hesquiat Peninsula, Pretty Girl, Sydney River, Tranquil Creek and Ursus Creek study areas). March 1999h. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Marble study area). March 1999f. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Muriel Ridge study area). March 1999g. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Study Area, Year Four. March 2002f. Prepared for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Hope Innovative Forestry Practices Agreement (IFPA). 2003g. B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park and Chilliwack River Ecological Reserve. 2002b. Prepared for the Planning, Innovation and Enforcement (P.I.E.) Division of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air, by Atticus Resource Consulting Ltd. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, Chilliwack River Ecological Reserve and Nahatlatch Provincial Park, Chilliwack study area. 2002c. Prepared for the Planning, Innovation and Enforcement (P.I.E.) Division of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air, by Atticus Resource Consulting Ltd. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, Chilliwack River Ecological Reserve and Nahatlatch Provincial Park, Nahatlatch study area. 2002g. Prepared for the Planning, Innovation and Enforcement (P.I.E.) Division of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Lower Mainland Region, by Atticus Resource Consulting Ltd. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Indian Arm and Mount Seymour Provincial Parks. 2000d. Prepared for BC Parks, Lower Mainland Region, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, by Innes, T., R. Fuller and D. Spaeth Filatow. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Knight Inlet (TFL 45). 1999c. Prepared for Interfor, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Princess Royal Island. January, 1997c. Norecol, Dames and Moore, Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia. 1:50 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Sooke Hills Wilderness and Mount Wells Regional Parks. March, 2000f. Prepared for CRD Parks, Victoria, B.C., by the Wildlife Inventory Section, Resources Inventory Branch, Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of TFL 41 - Dala Creek. 1997. Acer Resource Consulting. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Deer Group and Vernon Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. March 2002d. Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20, 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Dewdney Creek Study Area. 2003. Prepared for Interfor by B. Green. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Escalante Watershed Unit. March 2002e. Prepared for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Coast Region, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Gold River and Conuma Study Areas (TFL 19). February 1999e. Prepared for Western Forest Products Ltd., Gold River Woodlands, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Khutzeymateen River Study Area. 1989. Shearwater Mapping Ltd. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Lull Sallie Study Area. 2003c. Shearwater Mapping Ltd., Victoria, B.C. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Mission Tree Farm. March 31, 2003d. Prepared for District of Mission, B.C., by R.N. Green, B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd., B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Mt. Cornation Study Area. 1997b. Madrone Consultants Limited. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Eliza Kaouk Landscape Unit. 2003b. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Fullmore Landscape Unit. 2004. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Gold Landscape Unit. 2004b. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Tahsis Landscape Unit. 2005. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Tulsequah Chief Mine and Access Road Expanded Study Area. October, 2002h. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Smithers, B.C., by Robert Fuller and Forest Information Systems. Victoria, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Tulsequah Chief Study Area. 1996c. JMJ Holdings Inc., Nelson, B.C. 1:50 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] Report for Effingham River and Toquart Bay. January 2003f. Prepared for Ministry Of Forests Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
University of British Columbia Department of Forest Sciences. 1991. Vegetation and Site Classification for Coastal British Columbia. Vegetation and Environment Summaries. Univ. B.C., Vancouver, BC.
Ward, P., G. Radcliffe, J. Kirkby, J. Illingworth, and C. Cadrin. 1998. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands 1993-1997. Volume 1: Methodology, Ecological Descriptions and Results. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 320, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2012. Ecological Community Summary: Populus trichocarpa - Alnus rubra / Rubus spectabilis. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 3, 2026).