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CEGL001580 Pascopyrum smithii - Distichlis spicata Wet Meadow
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Wheatgrass - Saltgrass Wet Meadow
Colloquial Name: Western Wheatgrass - Saltgrass Saline Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This western wheatgrass saline prairie type is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States. Stands occur in depressions and on (ephemeral) stream terraces on deep, moderately saline soils, sometimes with a clay subsoil. These soils are wet for part of the year and may flood periodically. The vegetation is dominated by graminoids, which may be as tall as 1 m, but typically are less than 0.6 m. The dominants are Pascopyrum smithii and Distichlis spicata. Other common graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa comata, Hordeum jubatum, and Carex duriuscula. Forbs that may be present are Iva annua, Helianthus petiolaris, Plantago patagonica, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Asteraceae spp., including Symphyotrichum falcatum. Woody plants are minor species, but Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Artemisia cana ssp. cana, and Populus deltoides are present in some stands. In Nebraska, alkaline indicators, such as Muhlenbergia asperifolia and Sporobolus airoides, may also be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is somewhat complex, with Pascopyrum smithii more important in less saline/alkaline areas, and Distichlis spicata and other alkaline indicators present in more alkaline areas. As such this type tends to share similarities to ~Distichlis spicata - (Hordeum jubatum, Poa arida, Sporobolus airoides) Wet Meadow (CEGL002042)$$, which, in Nebraska, is called "western alkaline meadows" (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by graminoids, which may be as tall as 1 m, but typically are less than 0.6 m. The depth to the clay layer affects the height and amount of vegetation, and the deeper the clay layer is buried, the taller the vegetation (Hirsch 1985). The dominants are Pascopyrum smithii and Distichlis spicata. Other common graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Hordeum jubatum, and Carex duriuscula (= Carex eleocharis). Forbs that may be present are Iva annua, Helianthus petiolaris, Plantago patagonica, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and members of the Asteraceae (including Symphyotrichum falcatum (= Aster falcatus)). Woody plants are rare. In Wyoming, some stands may have scattered Artemisia frigida or Artemisia cana ssp. cana. In Nebraska stands may have scattered Populus deltoides. There, alkaline indicators, such as Muhlenbergia asperifolia and Sporobolus airoides, may also be present. Exotic species, principally Atriplex micrantha (= Atriplex heterosperma) and Cirsium arvense, are ubiquitous and may contribute substantial cover in many stands (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003). In Nebraska an "alkaline intermittent stream bottom" type dominated by Distichlis spicata, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa arida (= Poa glaucifolia), and Poa secunda (= Poa juncifolia) is also included in this type.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found in depressions and on stream terraces, including ephemeral streams. Stands contain moderately saline silt loam and sandy loam soils, sometimes with a clay subsoil (Hanson and Whitman 1938, Johnston 1987, Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003). Hirsch (1985) found the clay layer to be 0-25 cm below the surface. The soils are wet for part of the year and may flood periodically.
Geographic Range: This western wheatgrass saline prairie type is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States, extending from perhaps Montana south to Nebraska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT, ND, NE, SD, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683739
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Na North American Great Plains Saline Marsh Division | D033 | 2.C.5.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Na.1 Great Plains Saline Wet Meadow & Marsh Macrogroup | M077 | 2.C.5.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Na.1.a Saltgrass - Foxtail Barley - Western Wheatgrass Great Plains Saline Wet Meadow & Marsh Group | G324 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A1354 Western Wheatgrass - Saltgrass - Foxtail Barley Wet Meadow Alliance | A1354 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL001580 Western Wheatgrass - Saltgrass Wet Meadow | CEGL001580 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Elytrigia smithii / Distichlis spicata Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
< Pascopyrum smithii - Bouteloua gracilis - Distichlis spicata Habitat Type (Hirsch 1985)
= Pascopyrum smithii - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pascopyrum smithii - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Vegetation (Cooper et al. 2001)
= Saltgrass - Western Wheatgrass Type (Hanson and Whitman 1938)
< Pascopyrum smithii - Bouteloua gracilis - Distichlis spicata Habitat Type (Hirsch 1985)
= Pascopyrum smithii - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pascopyrum smithii - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Vegetation (Cooper et al. 2001)
= Saltgrass - Western Wheatgrass Type (Hanson and Whitman 1938)
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- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
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