Print Report

CEGL001131 Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Snowberry Shrubland

Colloquial Name: Northern Plains Snowberry Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This western snowberry shrubland is found in the northern Great Plains, and in the foothills of the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada. Stands occur in mesic depressions and swales, typically surrounded by upland grassland communities. The soils are silts and loams. This type has three distinct vegetation layers, a shrub layer (approximately 80 cm tall), a graminoid-dominated layer (approximately 30 cm tall), and a forb-dominated layer (<20 cm tall). Symphoricarpos occidentalis is the predominant species in the shrub layer and at times forms almost monospecific stands. Rosa woodsii commonly occurs interspersed with the Symphoricarpos occidentalis. Other shrubs, such as Rhus trilobata and Prunus virginiana, often occur as thickets on the fringe of this community. Rhus trilobata and Prunus virginiana can reach 2 m or more. The herbaceous layer is poorly represented where the shrubs are dense, although Poa pratensis occurs in many stands. Common forbs include Artemisia ludoviciana, Solidago spp., and Achillea millefolium. Vines, such as Parthenocissus vitacea, are often found climbing through the shrubs. This type is frequently observed in heavily grazed meadows and prairies.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type often occurs in heavily disturbed areas in conjunction with exotic species such as Poa pratensis and Cirsium arvense. Because it occurs in mesic swales, depressions, ravine bottoms and floodplains, some stands are occasionally flooded, whereas others are just very moist. Thus, it tends to fall on both sides of the upland/wetland division. In Nebraska and South Dakota, the associated Rhus species may be Rhus aromatica, rather than Rhus trilobata. This may be a mix of several types dominated by Symphoricarpos occidentalis. In Alberta, a Symphoricarpos occidentalis - Rosa woodsii type of depressions and swales in the grassland matrix as well as a Symphoricarpos occidentalis with Calamovilfa on sandy soils seem to be separate types. If Colorado needs a type like this, use G133 -A4038.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Throughout its range this community is dominated by shrubs approximately 1 m tall. Shrub cover is typically greater than 50%, and in places it can approach 100%. These shrubs form dense clumps that exclude most other species. Symphoricarpos occidentalis is the most common shrub, but Rhus trilobata and Prunus virginiana can be locally abundant and can grow to 2-3 m in places. Toxicodendron rydbergii, Amelanchier alnifolia, Rubus idaeus, and Rosa acicularis may also be present. Herbaceous species and smaller shrubs are most abundant at the edges of this community and in gaps between the clumps of taller shrubs where the shading is less complete. Rosa woodsii is a typical smaller shrub. Common graminoids include Pascopyrum smithii, Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis rubescens, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Poa pratensis. Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, and Solidago spp. are common forbs of this community. Woody vines sometimes occur, including Parthenocissus vitacea. The invasive exotic Cirsium arvense occurs especially in more disturbed sites. This shrubland type occurs throughout its range as thickets surrounded by grasslands or occasionally by tall shrublands (e.g., Prunus virginiana).

Dynamics:  Stands may occasionally be flooded (Jones and Walford 1995). Symphoricarpos occidentalis seems to thrive in disturbed areas (Hansen and Hoffman 1988), especially those subject to disturbance by fire and cattle grazing. These shrublands often have a significant component of exotic species, especially where grazing has been heavy. Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, and Poa pratensis are among the most abundant of these exotics. Overgrazing of prairies can lead to the expansion of degraded forms of this community.
Environmental Description:  This community is found on relatively deep soils in mesic swales, depressions, ravines and floodplains. Some examples of this community experience intermittent and brief flooding. In Glacier National Park, it occurs at 1022-1092 m (3350-3580 feet) elevation. The soils are fertile and well-drained to imperfectly drained silts and loams. The upper soil horizon is usually deep, although a thin layer of sand may be present if the site has been recently flooded (Jones and Walford 1995).
Geographic Range: This western snowberry shrubland is found in the the northern Great Plains, and in the foothills of the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CO, MB, MT, ND, NE, SD, SK, WY?


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D023 2.B.2.Nb
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nb.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup M051 2.B.2.Nb.2
Group 2.B.2.Nb.2.c Western Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread - Little Bluestem Mixedgrass Prairie Group G141 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Alliance A4384 Chokecherry - Western Snowberry - Saskatoon Serviceberry Northern Plains Shrubland Alliance A4384 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Association CEGL001131 Western Snowberry Shrubland CEGL001131 2.B.2.Nb.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Symphoricarpos occidentalis / Elytrigia smithii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community (Jones and Walford 1995)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community (Hansen et al. 1984)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community (Hansen et al. 1995)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community (Thompson and Hansen 2002)
? Symphoricarpos occidentalis Series (Jones 1992b)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland (Cooper et al. 2001)
= Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Low Shrub (Meyer 1985)
= Snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1997a)
Concept Author(s): J. Drake

Author of Description: J. Drake and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-21-04
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