Print Report

CEGL001173 Salix bebbiana Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bebb''s Willow Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: Bebb''s Willow Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This riparian willow shrubland is found in the montane regions and western plains of the United States, and also along the eastern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. This community is a briefly flooded scrub-shrub wetland on slightly to moderately alkaline soils, usually near low-gradient streams. This shrubland is typically dominated by a dense growth of shrubs 0.5-3 m tall. The most abundant species in the shrub layer are Salix bebbiana, Salix scouleriana, and Salix lucida ssp. caudata. Other species found in this stratum include Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea ssp. sericea, Salix exigua, Salix melanopsis, Salix lutea, Salix prolixa, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Prunus virginiana. A shorter shrub layer is sometimes present, with Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Ribes inerme, Lonicera involucrata, and Rosa acicularis. The herbaceous layer can be very abundant and predominantly graminoids; common species include Schoenoplectus spp. and/or Scirpus spp., Carex spp., Triglochin palustris, Calamagrostis canadensis, Bromus carinatus, Poa palustris, and Equisetum spp. along the wetter margins of the community. Forbs can be abundant and variable in composition, ranging from mesic-site forbs to ones adapted to drier conditions. Species include Heracleum maximum, Cicuta maculata, Geranium richardsonii, Geum macrophyllum, Gentianella amarella ssp. acuta, Prunella vulgaris, Pyrola asarifolia, Zizia aptera, Sanicula marilandica, Viola canadensis, Vicia americana, and Ranunculus macounii.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The distribution and classification of this community need further investigation. Changes in historic natural processes, including flooding, and more recent human impacts, such as grazing, have altered this community. While Hansen et al. (1995) report Salix bebbiana communities to be widespread and common in Montana (they sampled 27 stands), the relationship of their Salix bebbiana community type to this plant association is unclear. Most, if not all, of Hansen et al.''s (1995) stands had understories dominated by introduced and weedy species, such as Poa pratensis, Phleum pratense, Agrostis stolonifera, and Solidago canadensis. They also considered that these communities represent browsing or grazing disclimax communities of Salix geyeriana, Salix drummondiana, or Salix lutea habitat types.

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

Floristics: This shrubland is typically dominated by a dense growth of shrubs 0.5-3 m tall. The most abundant species in the shrub layer are Salix bebbiana, Salix scouleriana, and Salix lucida ssp. caudata (= Salix fendleriana). Other species found in this stratum include Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea ssp. sericea, Salix exigua, Salix melanopsis (= Salix fluviatilis), Salix lutea, Salix prolixa (= Salix rigida ssp. mackenzieana), Amelanchier alnifolia, and Prunus virginiana. Multi-stemmed trees and/or shrubs 1.5-5 m tall have 30-100% cover; single-stemmed trees have less than 30% cover. The herbaceous layer often contains Schoenoplectus spp. and/or Scirpus spp., Carex spp., Triglochin palustris, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Equisetum spp. along the wetter margins of the community. In the drier areas Gentianella amarella ssp. acuta (= Gentiana strictiflora), Prunella vulgaris, Pyrola asarifolia, Zizia aptera (= Zizia cordata), Sanicula marilandica, Viola canadensis, Vicia americana, and Ranunculus macounii are frequently present.

Dynamics:  Brief floods can occur in spring or after heavy rains. Hansen et al. (1995) report that Salix bebbiana is extremely tolerant of browsing and will often be the only willow remaining on a site that has been heavily impacted by cattle or ungulates.
Environmental Description:  This is a riparian association, occurring along creeks, small rivers, and seasonally flooded terraces. It occurs in primarily montane to lower montane and foothill zones of the mountains and mountain valleys. Stands occur on slightly to moderately alkaline soils, usually near low-gradient streams. The water table is well below the soil surface for over half the growing season. However, there are brief periods of several days to a few weeks when water is at the surface. The ground surface often has high cover of litter.
Geographic Range: This beaked willow shrubland is found in the montane regions and western plains of the United States, ranging from South Dakota and Montana south to New Mexico.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, SD, WY


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 A3769 Booth''s Willow - Geyer''s Willow - Yellow Willow Montane Wet Shrubland Alliance A3769 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001173 Bebb''s Willow Wet Shrubland CEGL001173 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: < Betula - Salix Association (Hayward 1928)
>< Salix bebbiana Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [Uncertain what the relationship is to this type.]
= Salix bebbiana Community Type (Szaro 1989)
= Salix bebbiana Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1997a)
= Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
Concept Author(s): J. Drake

Author of Description: J. Drake and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-19-04
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