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CEGL002898 Carex aquatilis - Sphagnum spp. Fen
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Sedge - Peatmoss species Fen
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is limited to fen wetlands fed by springs arising from hydrothermally altered bedrock. Most examples are at or above 2743 m (9000 feet) elevation, on slopes or valley bottoms. The pH of these springs ranges from 3.4 to 5.2 because the high sulfur content of the parent rock turns groundwater to sulfuric acid. Occurrences are characterized by a monoculture of Carex aquatilis with an understory dominated by Sphagnum mosses that are tolerant of acidic conditions (e.g., Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum balticum, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, or Sphagnum fuscum). Sphagnum squarrosum is generally absent. A low cover of Betula glandulosa or Vaccinium myrtillus may be present; the association usually occurs in a mosaic with shrub-scrub or woodland communities dominated by Betula glandulosa, Picea engelmannii, or Pinus contorta. The organic-iron deposit known as limonite is generally present and is diagnostic. Willows such as Salix planifolia occur only on the margins of these acidic fens or where non-acidic springs or streams intersect the wetland.
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: Occurrences are characterized by a monoculture of Carex aquatilis with an understory dominated by Sphagnum mosses that are tolerant of acidic conditions (e.g., Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum balticum, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, or Sphagnum fuscum). Sphagnum squarrosum is generally absent. A low cover of Betula glandulosa or Vaccinium myrtillus may be present. The association usually occurs in a mosaic with shrub-scrub or woodland communities dominated by Betula glandulosa, Picea engelmannii, or Pinus contorta. Willows such as Salix planifolia occur only on the margins of these acidic fens or where non-acidic springs or streams intersect the wetland.
Dynamics: The springs that feed these acidic fen wetlands are mobile on the landscape. Limonite deposits will eventually plug their springs, forcing groundwater to emerge in a new place and leaving the area around the blocked spring to dry out. Most iron fens exhibit this mobility in that they contain dry patches of limonite with remnant wetland vegetation adjacent to saturated ground. These wetlands are at risk of alterations to groundwater chemistry or flow caused by pumping associated with hard-rock mining. Nearly every known iron fen is associated with mining of some sort, and it can be difficult to determine whether drying of parts of a fen is due to natural processes or groundwater alteration.
Environmental Description: This association is limited to fen wetlands fed by springs arising from hydrothermally altered bedrock. Most examples are at or above 2743 m (9000 feet) elevation, on slopes or valley bottoms. The pH of these springs ranges from 3.4 to 5.2 because the high sulfur content of the parent rock turns groundwater to sulfuric acid. The organic-iron deposit known as limonite is generally present and is diagnostic.
Geographic Range: This association is found in thee Rocky Mountains of central and southwestern Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686403
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup | M876 | 2.C.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.c Water Sedge - Woolly-fruit Sedge - Peatmoss species Rocky Mountain Acidic Fen Group | G515 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3437 Woolly-fruit Sedge - Livid Sedge - Threeway Sedge Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance | A3437 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002898 Water Sedge - Peatmoss species Fen | CEGL002898 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = (Picea engelmannii) / Betula nana (= glandulosa) / Carex aquatilis / Sphagnum angustifolium (Carsey et al. 2003a)
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.