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CEGL002658 Salix monticola / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Park Willow / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This plant association is a major type in the upper montane valleys of the Southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado (2015-3265 m [6600-10,700 feet]). Physically, it is a tall (1.5-2.5 m [5-8 feet]), deciduous shrubland with an herbaceous layer dominated by a variety of grasses and forbs. Stands occur within 0.75 m (2.5 feet) of the annual high-water mark on sandy clays to silty clay loams. Salix monticola is always the most abundant willow species (20-100% cover), even if it is not the clear dominant. Other willows include Salix drummondiana, Salix planifolia, Salix bebbiana, Salix geyeriana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix wolfii, and Salix eriocephala. Alnus incana, Ribes inerme, and Lonicera involucrata are also often present. Total forb cover ranges from 10-70%. No single forb species is particularly more abundant than any other, nor is any species consistently present in all stands. Forb species that may be present include Heracleum maximum, Rudbeckia laciniata, Mertensia ciliata, and Fragaria virginiana. Graminoid cover ranges from 0-50%, but rarely exceeds total forb cover. Species present may include Calamagrostis canadensis and Carex utriculata.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Classification is based on 46 quantitative plots. Stands with non-native species may represent a grazing-induced shift from other Salix monticola-dominated plant associations.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This is a tall (1.5-2.5 m [5-8 feet]), deciduous shrubland with an herbaceous layer dominated by a variety of grasses and forbs. Salix monticola is always the most abundant willow species (20-100% cover), even if it is not the clear dominant. Other willows include Salix drummondiana, Salix planifolia, Salix bebbiana, Salix geyeriana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix wolfii, and Salix eriocephala. Alnus incana, Ribes inerme, and Lonicera involucrata are also often present. Total forb cover ranges from 10-70%. No single forb species is particularly more abundant than any other, nor is any species consistently present in all stands. Forb species that may be present include Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Rudbeckia laciniata, Mertensia ciliata, and Fragaria virginiana. Graminoid cover ranges from 0-50%, but rarely exceeds total forb cover. Species present may include Calamagrostis canadensis and Carex utriculata.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This plant association is a major type in the upper montane valleys of the Southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado (2015-3265 m [6600-10,700 feet]). Stands occur within 0.75 m (2.5 feet) of the annual high-water mark on sandy clays to silty clay loams.

Geographic Range: This plant association is known only from Colorado; however, within the state it is widespread in the Southern Rocky Mountains ecoregion. It has also been found in the eastern portions (the Colorado portions) of the Utah High Plateaus and the Colorado Plateau ecoregions.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G4

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Salix monticola / Mesic Forb Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Salix monticola/Mesic forb (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Rocky Mountain willow/Mesic Forbs (Salix monticola/Mesic Forbs) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
= Rocky Mountain willow/Mesic Forbs (Salix monticola/Mesic Forbs) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1997a)

Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: Western Ecology Group

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-09-98

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