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CEGL002652 Alnus incana - Salix drummondiana Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gray Alder - Drummond''s Willow Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This riparian shrubland association is common in mountains of Colorado and western Wyoming and likely occurs in adjacent New Mexico. Stands are generally found along steep-gradient streams between 2038 and 3000 m (6686-9835 feet) elevation. It is an early- to mid-seral community restricted to stream margins, alluvial surfaces, and coarse-textured cobble bars, rarely forming large or extensive stands. The vegetation is characterized by a dense, closed, tall-shrub canopy of 10-100% cover of Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia and 10-60% cover of Salix drummondiana. Other shrubs occurring with greater than 25% frequency include Salix monticola, Lonicera involucrata, Ribes inerme, Cornus sericea, Rosa woodsii, and Amelanchier utahensis. Tree cover ranges from 0-20% dominated by Picea pungens (0-10%) and Picea engelmannii (0-23%). In some stands, heavy shading and recent flood scouring limit herbaceous growth (<10%). Other stands have a rich herbaceous understory that includes Heracleum maximum, Equisetum pratense, Rudbeckia laciniata, and Angelica ampla. Diagnostic of this shrubland association is the codominance of Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia and Salix drummondiana on sites that are flooded for brief periods during the growing season.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Classification is based on 18 quantitative plots and 2 additional element occurrence records. ~Alnus incana / Equisetum arvense Wet Shrubland (CEGL001146)$$ is a closely related community, but does not necessarily have Salix drummondiana in the shrub canopy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This plant association is characterized by a dense, closed canopy of Alnus incana (thinleaf alder) (10-100% cover) and Salix drummondiana (10-60% cover) bordering the stream, sometimes with occasional emergent trees (Picea pungens and Picea engelmannii). Other willows that may be present include Salix monticola, Salix boothii, Salix exigua, Salix lucida (ssp. caudata or ssp. lasiandra), Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, and Salix planifolia. Other shrubs occasionally present include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier utahensis, Cornus sericea, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Lonicera involucrata, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, and Ribes montigenum (Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a). A moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer is usually present and composed of a mixture of mesic graminoids and forbs, including Angelica ampla, Cardamine cordifolia, Carex aquatilis, Carex utriculata, Calamagrostis canadensis, Elymus glaucus, Equisetum spp., Erigeron peregrinus, Galium triflorum, Glyceria striata, Heracleum maximum, Leersia oryzoides, Mertensia ciliata, Osmorhiza berteroi, Oxypolis fendleri, Rudbeckia spp., Senecio triangularis, and Thalictrum spp. However, in some stands, the herbaceous undergrowth is sparse (less than 10% cover) due to shading and flood-scouring. Introduced forage species, such as Agrostis stolonifera, Bromus inermis, Poa pratensis, may degrade stands (Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a).
Populus angustifolia or Picea pungens woodlands occur on adjacent streambanks and floodplains. Salix exigua shrublands occur along adjacent gravel bars and streambanks. Carex utriculata wetlands occur in low-lying swales on wider floodplains. At higher elevations, Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii and Populus tremuloides forests occur on adjacent hillslopes. At lower elevations, Quercus gambelii shrublands, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii forests are present (Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a).
Populus angustifolia or Picea pungens woodlands occur on adjacent streambanks and floodplains. Salix exigua shrublands occur along adjacent gravel bars and streambanks. Carex utriculata wetlands occur in low-lying swales on wider floodplains. At higher elevations, Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii and Populus tremuloides forests occur on adjacent hillslopes. At lower elevations, Quercus gambelii shrublands, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii forests are present (Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This riparian shrubland association is common in the mountains of Colorado and southern Wyoming and likely occurs in adjacent New Mexico. Sites occur in montane and subalpine zones along steep-gradient streams with stable, shaded streambanks between 2038 and 3000 m (6686-9835 feet) elevation. Streams are often fast-moving and found in very steep, sheer-walled, confined canyons, but this shrubland also occurs along or within the active channel of moderately to slightly entrenched channels in wider valleys. It is an early- to mid-seral community restricted to stream margins, alluvial surfaces, and coarse-textured cobble bars, rarely forming large or extensive stands. Soils are highly variable, but most are stratified alluvium with buried A horizons. Stands with a rich, herbaceous undergrowth have a thick layer, 10-30 cm (5-10 inches), of fine sandy loam and sandy clay loam over a coarse alluvial deposit. Stands with little shrub cover and herbaceous growth have coarse, skeletal soils without an accumulated fine layer at the surface (Kittel et al. 1999b, Carsey et al. 2003a).
Geographic Range: This montane to subalpine riparian shrubland association is common in the mountains of Colorado and western Wyoming and likely occurs in adjacent New Mexico. In Colorado it is commonly found in the Rio Grande, Gunnison, Saint Vain and Arkansas river basins.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685055
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.d Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group | G527 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Alliance | A3771 Gray Alder - Green Alder Wet Shrubland Alliance | A3771 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL002652 Gray Alder - Drummond''s Willow Wet Shrubland | CEGL002652 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix drummondiana Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix drummondiana Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-Salix drummondiana (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Thinleaf alder-Drummond willow (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-Salix drummondiana) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix drummondiana Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-Salix drummondiana (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Thinleaf alder-Drummond willow (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-Salix drummondiana) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
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- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
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- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and S. Kettler. 1995. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Gunnison River Basin, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins. 114 pp.
- Richard, C., G. Kittel, and S. Kettler. 1996. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the San Juan National Forest. Draft 1 report. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- 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.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.