Print Report

CEGL001823 Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Wet Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Sedge - White Marsh-marigold Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Rocky Mountain alpine to subalpine association occurs in wet meadows and fens. Stands occur on level to gently sloping marshy areas adjacent to streams or melting snow fields, often at the headwaters of creeks. Stream channels are moderately steep (Rosgen''s Channel Type: B3). Soils are saturated and generally poorly drained. Organic content varies from a thin layer to 15 cm of peat and duff, and may overlie a meter of muck. Soil textures range from clay to sandy clay loam to loam with mottles present near the surface to Histic Epipedons overlying clay loam. Parent materials are typically alluvium. Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous cover strongly dominated by Carex scopulorum and codominated by Caltha leptosepala. A few other graminoids that can be abundant, but are not consistently present in all stands, include Agrostis humilis, Carex aquatilis, Carex illota, Carex jonesii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Eleocharis quinqueflora with 0-30% cover. If present, Elymus trachycaulus has low cover. Other common forbs include Epilobium hornemannii, Ligusticum filicinum, Saxifraga odontoloma, Packera dimorphophylla, Pedicularis groenlandica, Polygonum bistortoides, and Rhodiola rhodantha.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

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

Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous cover strongly dominated by Carex scopulorum and codominated by Caltha leptosepala. A few other graminoids that can be abundant, but are not consistently present in all stands, include Agrostis humilis (= Agrostis thurberiana), Carex aquatilis, Carex illota, Carex jonesii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Eleocharis quinqueflora with 0-30% cover. If present, Elymus trachycaulus has low cover. Other common forbs include Epilobium hornemannii, Ligusticum filicinum, Saxifraga odontoloma, Packera dimorphophylla, Pedicularis groenlandica, Polygonum bistortoides, and Rhodiola rhodantha.

Dynamics:  This plant association is usually a stable, long-lived community that represents undisturbed sites (Manning and Padgett 1995). Moderate disturbance can convert this community to a "Mesic Forbs" type where Carex scopulorum cover is reduced and multiple forb species comprise the bulk of the biomass of the community. Non-native species may be present and abundant. Continued disturbance can result in bare ground. Moderately disturbed sites improve rapidly with protection due to the abundance of moisture and the dense rhizomatous nature of Carex scopulorum (Hansen et al. 1988b).
Environmental Description:  This Rocky Mountain alpine to subalpine association occurs in wet meadows and fens. Elevation ranges in Colorado from 3300-4000 m (10,500-13,200 feet) and in Montana from 2870-2990 m (9400-9800 feet). Stands occur on level to gently sloping marshy areas adjacent to streams or melting snow fields, often at the headwaters of creeks. Stream channels are moderately steep (Rosgen''s Channel Type: B3) (Rosgen 1996). Soils are saturated and generally poorly drained (Johnston 1987). Organic content varies from a thin layer to 15 cm of peat and duff, over a meter of muck (Osburn 1963). Soil textures range from clay to sandy clay loam to loam with mottles present near the surface to Histic Epipedons overlying clay loam. Parent materials are typically alluvium derived from volcanic or granitic rock. The soils classify as Cumulic and Histic Cryaquolls, Cryaquepts, Cryosaprists, and Cryorthents (Komarkova 1986, Kittel et al. 1999b). Stands from southern Rocky Mountain alpine marshes tend to be poorly developed when compared to northern stands, probably because of drier climate and steeper terrain, and develop shallower peat layers (Komarkova 1986).
Geographic Range: This association is reported from the Rocky Mountains from Colorado to Montana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, MT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.b Sedge species - Reedgrass species Montane Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G521 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Alliance A3806 Clustered Field Sedge - Mountain Sedge - Few-flower Spikerush Wet Meadow Alliance A3806 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL001823 Mountain Sedge - White Marsh-marigold Wet Meadow CEGL001823 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Habitat Type (Hess and Wasser 1982)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation (Cooper et al. 1999)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Carex scopulorum - Psychrophila leptosepala Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
= Carex scopulorum/Caltha leptosepala c.t. (Cooper et al. 1997)
< Carex scopulorum (Kovalchik 1987)
< Carex scopulorum Bog Community Type (Tweit and Houston 1980)
= Carex scopulorum Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
< Carex scopulorum Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995) [Caltha leptosepala ssp. howellii (= Caltha biflora) is a codominant forb.]
< Caricetum scopulorentis Association (Kiener 1939) (Willard 1963)
< Association Clementsio rhodanthae - Rhodioletum integrifoliae (Komarkova 1976) (Komarkova 1979)
= Nodum V - Caltha leptosepala - Pedicularis groenlandica, Wet Meadow (May 1973) [Caltha leptosepala, Carex scopulorum, and Pedicularis groenlandica are dominant species.]
= Stand Type III Carex scopulorum (Osburn 1963)
= Wet Meadow (May and Webber 1982) [It is characterized by Caltha leptosepala, Carex scopulorum, and Aulacomnium palustre (moss).]
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-05-05
  • Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
  • CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
  • Carsey, K., D. Cooper, K. Decker, D. Culver, and G. Kittel. 2003b. Statewide wetlands classification and characterization: Wetland plant associations of Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 79 pp. [http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/documents/2003/wetland_classification_final_report_2003.pdf]
  • Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Clements, F. E. 1904. Formation and succession herbaria. University of Nebraska, University Studies IV(4):329-355.
  • Cooper, S. V., C. Jean, and B. L. Heidel. 1999. Plant associations and related botanical inventory of the Beaverhead Mountains Section, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 235 pp.
  • Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, and D. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Report INT-GTR-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 61 pp.
  • Cooper, S. V., and P. Lesica. 1992. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Conservation Biology Research, Helena, MT. 80 pp.
  • Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
  • Hansen, P. L., S. W. Chadde, and R. D. Pfister. 1988b. Riparian dominance types of Montana. University of Montana Miscellaneous Publication 49. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Missoula. 411 pp.
  • Hess, K. 1981. Phyto-edaphic study of habitat types of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 558 pp.
  • Hess, K., and C. H. Wasser. 1982. Grassland, shrubland, and forest habitat types of the White River-Arapaho National Forest. Unpublished final report 53-82 FT-1-19. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 335 pp.
  • Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
  • Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
  • Kiener, W. 1939. Sociological studies of the alpine vegetation on Long''s Peak. Unpublished dissertation, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user''s guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
  • Komarkova, V. 1979. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Flora et vegetatio mundi 7, R. Tuxen, editor, 2 volumes, Vaduz: J. Cramer. 591 pp.
  • Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national forests. Technical Paper 279-87. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
  • MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
  • Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1989. Preliminary riparian community type classification for Nevada. Draft report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 134 pp.
  • Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
  • May, D. E. 1973. Models for predicting composition and production of alpine tundra vegetation from Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Unpublished thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder. 99 pp.
  • May, D. E., and P. J. Webber. 1982. Spatial and temporal variation of the vegetation and its productivity, Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Pages 35-62 in: Ecological studies in the Colorado alpine. University of Colorado Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. Occasional Paper 37, Boulder, CO.
  • Osburn, W. S., Jr. 1963. The dynamics of fallout distribution in a Colorado alpine tundra snow accumulation ecosystem. Pages 51-71 in: S. Vincent and A. W. Klement, Jr., editors. Radioecology: Selected papers from the Symposium. Reinhold Publishing Company, New York, and American Institute of Biological Science.
  • Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied river morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO.
  • Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
  • Scott-Williams, B. W. 1965. The ecology of the alpine tundra on Trail Ridge. Pages 13-16 in: C. B. Schulz and H. T. Smith, editors. Guidebook for one-day field conferences -- Boulder area, Colorado. VIIth International Association for Quaternary Research Congress, Nebraska Academy of Science, Lincoln, NE.
  • Tweit, S., and K. Houston. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of the Shoshone National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Shoshone National Forest.
  • Wasser, C. H., and K. Hess. 1982. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A synthesis. Final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 140 pp.
  • Webber, P. J., J. C. Emerick, D. May, and V. Komarkova. 1976. The impact of increased snowfall on alpine vegetation. Pages 201-264 in: H. Steinhoff and J. Ives, editors. Ecological impacts of snowpack augmentation in the San Juan Mountains. Report of the San Juan Ecology Project, Fort Collins, to USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Division of Atmosphere and Water Resource Management, Denver, CO.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Willard, B. E. 1960. The ecology and phytosociology of the Tundra Curves, Trail Ridge, Colorado. Unpublished thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder. 144 pp.
  • Willard, B. E. 1963. Phytosociology of the alpine tundra of Trail Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder.