Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland & Shrubland

Foothills riparian woodlands

Foothills riparian woodland zones are diverse in terms of water sources. In some locations, these woodland communities grow near ponds or lakes while in others they predominate along streams and rivers. Some of these streams run dry for parts of the year and are subject to seasonal or occasional flooding. Clay loams and sandy loams are common surface soils.

These zones tend to include large communities of cottonwood trees (Populus spp.) and also willows (Salix spp). In some cases, these woodlands also include significant populations of Rocky Mountain Junipers (Juniperus scopulorum), which sometimes act as co-dominant species with Populus spp. Other native trees and shrubs in these zones include, but are not limited to, wild plum (Prunus americana), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum), silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea), smooth rose (Rosa blanda), thinleaf alder (Alnus incana), water birch (Betula occidentalis), and western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia).

Salix spp. communities tend to dominate areas that are subject to regular flooding whereas the regions with higher numbers of Populus spp. and Juniperus scopulorum tend to be comparatively arid.

Some Commonly Associated Plants

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