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CEGL001435 Salix reticulata / Caltha leptosepala Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Netleaf Willow / White Marsh-marigold Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This wetland association has been documented from the alpine of three mountain ranges in southwestern Montana. Elevations range from 2950-3090 m. This minor community has been described exclusively from north-facing slopes, which are uncommon in the north/south-trending ranges where it is found. The three known sites are on gentle to steep, soil-mantled solifluction slopes that are subirrigated by late-persisting snowfields lying above. The typically clay soils are low in coarse fragment content (<10%) and derived from limestone parent materials. Stands are unevenly distributed, and seemingly appropriate habitats are often occupied by Salix arctica-dominated dwarf-shrublands. The lush dwarf-shrub layer averages 70% cover and is dominated by Salix reticulata. Salix rotundifolia ssp. dodgeana or Salix arctica may be common also. The herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial forb Caltha leptosepala, which averages 22% cover and 100% consistency. Several other forbs are present with lower consistency and cover. Silene acaulis was the only other forb with over 10% cover. There is also a sparse graminoid layer (>20% cover) composed of Carex haydenii and Poa alpina (the most consistent species) and Carex nova, Carex scirpoidea, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Luzula spicata, all with at least 5% average canopy cover. Diagnostic of this alpine wetland is the dominance of the dwarf-shrub Salix reticulata and the forb Caltha leptosepala.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community may be a relictual type, which would account in part for its sporadic distribution in Tendoy, Gravelly, and Anaconda-Pintlar ranges of southwestern Montana. This association possibly occurs more extensively within the Canadian Rockies. More survey work is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The lush dwarf-shrub layer averages 70% cover and is dominated by Salix reticulata. Salix rotundifolia ssp. dodgeana or Salix arctica may be common also. The herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial forb Caltha leptosepala, which averages 22% cover and 100% consistency. Several other forbs are present with lower consistency and cover. Silene acaulis was the only other forb with over 10% cover. There is also a sparse graminoid layer (>20% cover) composed of Carex haydenii and Poa alpina (the most consistent species) and Carex nova, Carex scirpoidea, Deschampsia cespitosa, and Luzula spicata, all with at least 5% average canopy cover. Diagnostic of this alpine wetland is the dominance of the dwarf-shrub Salix reticulata and the forb Caltha leptosepala.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevations range from 2950-3090 m. This minor community has been described exclusively from north-facing slopes, which are uncommon in the north/south-trending ranges where it is found. The three known sites are on gentle to steep, soil-mantled solifluction slopes that are subirrigated by late-persisting snowfields lying above. The typically clay soils are low in coarse fragment content (<10%) and derived from limestone parent materials. Stands are unevenly distributed, and seemingly appropriate habitats are often occupied by Salix arctica-dominated dwarf-shrublands.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from the alpine of the Tendoy, Gravelly, and Anaconda-Pintlar ranges of southwestern Montana. This community may be a relictual type, which would account in part for its sporadic distribution.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, BC?, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688190
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division | D043 | 4.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Nb.2 Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Blackroot Sedge - Moss Campion Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M099 | 4.B.1.Nb.2 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Mountain-heath species - Arctic Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland & Krummholz Group | G316 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
| Alliance | A3176 Arctic Willow - Snow Willow - Netleaf Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3176 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
| Association | CEGL001435 Netleaf Willow / White Marsh-marigold Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001435 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salix reticulata/Caltha leptosepala c.t. (Cooper et al. 1999)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
- Cooper, S. V., C. Jean, and B. L. Heidel. 1999. Plant associations and related botanical inventory of the Beaverhead Mountains Section, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 235 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, and D. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Report INT-GTR-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 61 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., and P. Lesica. 1992. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Conservation Biology Research, Helena, MT. 80 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.