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CEGL001083 Betula occidentalis - Dasiphora fruticosa Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Birch - Shrubby-cinquefoil Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community type is apparently very restricted in distribution, present at Pine Butte and/or Antelope Butte, Montana. The association occurs between 1372 and 1465 m (4500-4800 feet) elevation in an area of palustrine wetlands on the eastern front of the northern Rocky Mountains. These wetlands are located near low-elevation, low-gradient reaches of perennials rivers draining from the mountains to the west and are in areas transitional from the mountainous terrain and the plains to the east. They are in a region characterized by glacial outwash plains associated with small terminal moraines at canyon mouths. These glacial outwash materials are tightly compacted and overlay older deposits of highly porous Pliocene gravels, which in turn overlie relatively impermeable Cretaceous rock. Runoff moves laterally from the rivers, through the porous Pliocene gravels into adjacent wetland sites. Relative porosity of the glacial materials within the wetland sites allows upwelling in a complex of numerous seeps. Soils within the wetlands are variable, but those associated with the community are characterized by some development of an organic horizon over the glacial deposits. They are very wet, somewhat poorly drained and saturated throughout the profile, with clay texture (locally called "gumbo"). Water is moving through the sites, as there are actively upwelling seeps and anastomosing channels. The vegetation of this type is poorly described. It is dominated by the tall (10 m), broad-leaved deciduous shrub Betula occidentalis and the lower (0.5 m) deciduous shrub Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda. Other deciduous shrubs present include species of Salix and Cornus sericea. The herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial graminoids of the Cyperaceae, and is described as Carex spp. in rills. Carex laeviculmis is the only Carex species on the species list for the wetlands that is a wetland obligate.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community type is either extremely circumscribed or spuriously identified.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation of this type is poorly described. It is dominated by the tall (10 m), broad-leaved deciduous shrub Betula occidentalis and the lower (0.5 m) deciduous shrub Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Potentilla fruticosa). Other deciduous shrubs present include species of Salix and Cornus sericea. The herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial graminoids of the Cyperaceae, and is described as Carex spp. in rills. Carex laeviculmis is the only Carex species on the species list for the wetlands that is a wetland obligate.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The association occurs between 1372 and 1465 m (4500-4800 feet) elevation in an area of palustrine wetlands on the eastern front of the northern Rocky Mountains. These wetlands are located near low-elevation, low-gradient reaches of perennials rivers draining from the mountains to the west and are in areas transitional from the mountainous terrain and the plains to the east. They are in a region characterized by glacial outwash plains associated with small terminal moraines at canyon mouths. These glacial outwash materials are tightly compacted and overlay older deposits of highly porous Pliocene gravels, which in turn overlie relatively impermeable Cretaceous rock. Runoff moves laterally from the rivers, through the porous Pliocene gravels into adjacent wetland sites. Relative porosity of the glacial materials within the wetland sites allows upwelling in a complex of numerous seeps. Soils within the wetlands are variable, but those associated with the community are characterized by some development of an organic horizon over the glacial deposits. They are very wet, somewhat poorly drained and saturated throughout the profile, with clay texture (locally called "gumbo"). Water is moving through the sites, as there are actively upwelling seeps and anastomosing channels.
Geographic Range: This community type is apparently very restricted in distribution, present at either Pine Butte or Antelope Butte Swamp, or both; the literature (Lee and Jonkel 1980) contains inadequate information to place this community type with confidence. However, communication with personnel at Pine Butte Swamp Preserve (TNC) indicate this is not a community type on their lands. Of the 23 Betula occidentalis-dominated stands sampled by the Montana Wetland/Riparian Association Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda occurred in only one, as a minor component. Thus, this community type is either extremely circumscribed or spuriously identified.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685552
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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 | A3772 Water Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance | A3772 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL001083 Water Birch - Shrubby-cinquefoil Wet Shrubland | CEGL001083 | 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: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Lee, L. C., and C. J. Jonkel. 1980. The vegetation structure and ecology of grizzly bear habitat in the Pine and Antelope Butte Wetlands, Montana. Unpublished Border Grizzly Project Special Report 36. University of Montana, Missoula. 63 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.