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CEGL001080 Betula occidentalis Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Birch Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland occurs on stream benches and floodplains in narrow to moderately wide valleys and hillside seeps in mountains, canyons, foothills, and sheltered alcoves across much of the western U.S. Surface water is present for extended periods during the growing season. The water table, after flooding ceases, is variable, extending from saturated to well below the ground surface, but the roots of Betula occidentalis are always in saturated soil. Substrates are typically alluvial and range from fairly shallow, finer-textured soils to gravel and boulders. Soils usually have signs of saturation (mottles). The vegetation is characterized by a nearly continuous tall-shrub to small-tree canopy dominated by Betula occidentalis along the streambank. Other shrub species include Alnus incana, Cornus sericea, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Salix spp., Amelanchier utahensis, Rhus trilobata, Shepherdia argentea, and Prunus virginiana. Along narrow valleys at higher elevations, conifers may overhang the stream edge. Herbaceous undergrowth can be limited because of the dense shrub canopy. However, if the shrub canopy is open and the stand is on relatively well-drained yet mesic site (for example, elevated river benches), the herbaceous layer can be abundant. It is often a diverse mixture of grasses and forbs that is dominated by disturbance-induced species, including most commonly Agrostis stolonifera, Cirsium arvense, Phleum pratense, and Poa pratensis. Forb species include Maianthemum stellatum, Heracleum sphondylium, Thalictrum fendleri, and Rudbeckia laciniata. Graminoid cover is highly variable and can include Carex utriculata, Carex pellita, Carex microptera, Carex nebrascensis, Glyceria spp., Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, and introduced hay grasses. Diagnostic of this association is the Betula occidentalis-dominated tall-shrub layer and a variable, weedy, mixed herbaceous undergrowth that occurs on sites that are flooded for extended periods during the growing season.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is for stands that don''t fit purely graminoid-dominated or forb-dominated understories of other Betula occidentalis associations. Stands included here generally have roughly equal amounts of forb and graminoid cover, typically of weedy or disturbance-caused species. Stands with very little herbaceous cover are also included here. It is likely that this type will be split in the future as more inventory is completed and a better review of Betula occidentalis associations is completed.
Hansen and Hall (2002) and Hansen et al. (1995) describe the Betula occidentalis community type as an early- to mid-seral community associated with disturbance. In Montana, Hansen et al. (1995) consider this type to be seral to various Salix spp.-dominated "habitat types," and in eastern and southern Idaho, Hansen and Hall (2002) consider it to be seral to the presence of species representing climax vegetation types. One-half of Hansen et al.''s (1995) stands include Cornus sericea (average canopy cover 11%) with mesic forbs included in the undergrowth. ~Betula occidentalis / Cornus sericea Wet Shrubland (CEGL001161)$$ and ~Betula occidentalis / Maianthemum stellatum Wet Shrubland (CEGL001162)$$ are similar to this type but appear to have less exotic species present.
Hansen and Hall (2002) and Hansen et al. (1995) describe the Betula occidentalis community type as an early- to mid-seral community associated with disturbance. In Montana, Hansen et al. (1995) consider this type to be seral to various Salix spp.-dominated "habitat types," and in eastern and southern Idaho, Hansen and Hall (2002) consider it to be seral to the presence of species representing climax vegetation types. One-half of Hansen et al.''s (1995) stands include Cornus sericea (average canopy cover 11%) with mesic forbs included in the undergrowth. ~Betula occidentalis / Cornus sericea Wet Shrubland (CEGL001161)$$ and ~Betula occidentalis / Maianthemum stellatum Wet Shrubland (CEGL001162)$$ are similar to this type but appear to have less exotic species present.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Betula occidentalis forms a nearly continuous tall-shrub to small-tree canopy with 10-90% cover. Other shrub species include Alnus incana, Cornus sericea, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Salix exigua, Salix bebbiana, Shepherdia argentea, Jamesia americana, Amelanchier utahensis, Juniperus scopulorum, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus martinii, Purshia tridentata, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Salix boothii, and Salix monticola. Along narrow valleys at higher elevations, conifers may overhang the stream edge. At lower elevations, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, Populus tremuloides, and other Populus species may be present. Conifer species present include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Picea pungens. If the shrub canopy is dense, herbaceous undergrowth will be limited; if open, the herbaceous layer can be abundant. Herbaceous species are typically weedy or adapted to frequent disturbance. Herbaceous-rich stands generally have equal amounts of forb and graminoid cover. Forb species can include Aquilegia micrantha, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), Maianthemum stellatum, Heracleum sphondylium, Thalictrum fendleri, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum laevigatum, Mentha arvensis, Solidago gigantea, and Rudbeckia laciniata. Graminoid species include Calamagrostis canadensis, Poa palustris, Carex utriculata, Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa), Carex microptera, Carex nebrascensis, Glyceria spp., and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus). Introduced species typically present include Cirsium arvense, Taraxacum officinale, Agrostis stolonifera, and Poa pratensis.
Dynamics: This association represents an early/mid-seral successional stage (Hansen et al. 1995), although in canyons of the Colorado Plateau it will persist for many decades following shifts in channel location. Betula occidentalis is highly adapted to most forms of disturbance. It will resprout after floods or fire. However, heavy grazing may eliminate the more palatable undergrowth of native graminoids, thereby replacing them with introduced species or less palatable native species.
Environmental Description: This shrubland occupies moderately wide stream benches and floodplains in narrow to moderately wide valleys and hillside seeps in mountains and foothills, as well as on streambanks, canyon bottoms and sheltered alcoves in the Colorado Plateau. It is found primarily along fast-moving, moderate- to high-gradient mountain and foothill streams, although in the Colorado Plateau it occurs more frequently on low-gradient perennial or intermittent streams. Elevation ranges from 910 to 2700 m (2975-6630 feet). Stands also occur along small floodplains of steep-gradient, narrow streams where the valley sideslope meets the stream edge. In high-gradient situations, the community often occurs as narrow, linear stringers where Betula occidentalis forms a closed canopy crowding the streambank. Broader stands occur around seeps adjacent to the stream channel, or along isolated springs on hillslopes away from the valley bottom, and on the floodplains of low-gradient streams. Surface water is present for extended periods during the growing season. After flooding ceases, the water table is variable and ranges from nearly saturated to well below the ground surface.
Soils are fairly shallow, ranging from 30 cm to greater than 60 cm, often overlying river cobbles. Most soils have a surface layer of 50-90% organic matter. Subsurface layers range from loam to sand with abundant gravel throughout the profile (Hansen et al. 1995). Skeletal layers, derived from alluvium, occur at a greater depth. In the northern range of Yellowstone National Park, soils typically have a large ash component. Stands along narrow, steep stream channels occur between large alluvial and colluvial boulders and have almost no soil development.
Soils are fairly shallow, ranging from 30 cm to greater than 60 cm, often overlying river cobbles. Most soils have a surface layer of 50-90% organic matter. Subsurface layers range from loam to sand with abundant gravel throughout the profile (Hansen et al. 1995). Skeletal layers, derived from alluvium, occur at a greater depth. In the northern range of Yellowstone National Park, soils typically have a large ash component. Stands along narrow, steep stream channels occur between large alluvial and colluvial boulders and have almost no soil development.
Geographic Range: This association is known from mountainous regions of many western states, the high plateaus of southern Utah, and sheltered alcoves of canyonlands of eastern Utah.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686448
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | CEGL001080 Water Birch Wet Shrubland | CEGL001080 | 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 - Betula occidentalis Association (Crowe et al. 2004) [This association includes stands dominated by birch.]
< Betula occidentalis /Mesic Graminoid --Trough Stream Terrace Ecological Type (Weixelman et al. 1996)
= Betula occidentalis Bench Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995) [(p.72)]
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [(p.355)]
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Chadde et al. 1988)
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen and Hall 2002)
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1991)
= Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997) [(p.255)]
= Betula occidentalis Dominance Type (Evans 1989a) [(p.12)]
< Betula occidentalis /Mesic Graminoid --Trough Stream Terrace Ecological Type (Weixelman et al. 1996)
= Betula occidentalis Bench Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995) [(p.72)]
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [(p.355)]
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Chadde et al. 1988)
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen and Hall 2002)
< Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hansen et al. 1991)
= Betula occidentalis Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997) [(p.255)]
= Betula occidentalis Dominance Type (Evans 1989a) [(p.12)]
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