Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This plant association is characterized by a dense rhizomatous meadow of Carex aquatilis (10-80% cover), usually accompanied by a few other graminoids species such as Calamagrostis canadensis (1-40%) or Deschampsia cespitosa (1-16%), Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), and Poa palustris. Eleocharis quinqueflora can be abundant on organic substrates (1-49% cover) at high elevations. Carex utriculata (1-20% cover) may be present. When present, Carex utriculata is usually not more than one-third the cover of Carex aquatilis cover. If it is more than that, the stand may be classified as ~Carex aquatilis - Carex utriculata Wet Meadow (CEGL001803)$$ or ~Carex utriculata Wet Meadow (CEGL001562)$$. Forbs are often present, although sometimes inconspicuous (generally <10%, but can be as high as 40%). Species include Epilobium spp., Pedicularis groenlandica, Caltha leptosepala, Menyanthes trifoliata, Cardamine cordifolia, and Mertensia ciliata. Shrubs and trees have been observed invading the wetland from surrounding areas, including Betula nana, Salix maccalliana, and Picea engelmannii.

Dynamics:  Overgrazing by livestock can dry the site, increase non-native grass cover, and reduce the vigor of root structure. The wet and often saturated soils of this plant association are also vulnerable to compaction by livestock and heavy equipment. In order to maintain productivity and vigor of the plants and prevent damage to the soils, livestock grazing should be deferred until soils dry (Hansen et al. 1995). Deferred and rest rotation grazing systems are recommended for maintaining the vigor and productivity of this plant association. Rest periods are recommended in order to provide time for plant establishment. Late summer and fall grazing is not recommended because if there are adjacent willows, they are vulnerable to pruning damage due to limited regrowth before the end of the growing season (Kovalchik and Elmore 1992, Hansen et al. 1995).

Beaver activity in the vicinity of this plant association is important for maintaining the health of the riparian ecosystem. Beaver dams aid in controlling channel downcutting, streambank erosion, and downstream movement of sediment. Beaver dams raise the water table and provide water for hydrophytic plants including willows and sedges. The trapping of sediment behind beaver dams, along with plant reproduction, raises the channel bed and creates a wetland environment. Land managers should consider maintaining beaver activity in an area versus their removal (Hansen et al. 1995).

Burning of this plant association temporarily increases the productivity of Carex utriculata and Carex aquatilis. However, livestock grazing needs to be eliminated for the year prior to burning and for at least 2-3 years after burning. This is necessary in order to keep livestock from damaging young, palatable regrowth and to allow for root reserve build up. Prescribed burning is also an effective method of rejuvenating decadent clumps of willows. The willow species in this plant association vigorously sprout following quick, hot fires. Slow-burning fires can actually damage the plants (Hansen et al. 1995).

Presence of Carex utriculata may indicate the site has progressed from the more wet Carex utriculata community to the current less mesic conditions, and may become dominated by Salix planifolia or Salix wolfii (Youngblood et al. 1985a). Wilson (1969) reports that Carex aquatilis associations trap sediment from overbank flows which forms a clay pan, eventually raising the water table. This process drives retrogressive succession, and a plant association dominated by Carex utriculata takes over on these sites (Wilson 1969).