Print Report

CEGL001178 Salix boothii / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: Stands occur between 1800 and 2805 m (5900-9200 feet) in elevation. Sites are usually in wide valley bottoms on low-gradient floodplains, often associated with abandoned and current beaver ponds. This cold-deciduous shrubland is composed of tall willows, from 1.2-2.4 m (4-8 feet) in height. Salix boothii is the dominant species, as a monoculture or with lesser amounts to near codominance of Salix geyeriana, Salix lucida, Salix drummondiana, or Salix wolfii. Other shrubs may be present in small amounts; generally underneath the taller shrubs are Lonicera involucrata, Betula glandulosa, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Ribes inerme, or Ribes lacustre. The herbaceous undergrowth is very abundant, often a dense sward of pure Carex utriculata.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Stands reported in Oregon (Kovalchik 1987, Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997, Crowe et al. 2004) may be mixed with other willows (Salix geyeriana, Salix lemmonii, Salix bebbiana); stands dominated by Salix boothii are a possibility.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This cold-deciduous shrubland is composed of tall willows, from 1.2-2.4 m (4-8 feet) in height. Salix boothii is the dominant species, as a monoculture or with lesser amounts to near codominance of Salix geyeriana, Salix lucida, Salix drummondiana, or Salix wolfii. Other shrubs may be present in small amounts; generally underneath the taller shrubs are Lonicera involucrata, Betula glandulosa, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Ribes inerme, or Ribes lacustre. The herbaceous undergrowth is very abundant, often a dense sward of pure Carex utriculata. Other graminoids can be present, rarely codominant, and include Carex aquatilis, Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa), Glyceria grandis, Calamagrostis stricta, Calamagrostis canadensis, Poa palustris, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Forb cover is generally sparse; the species present are highly variable but are usually high-moisture indicators. Forb species reported include Symphyotrichum foliaceum (= Aster foliaceus), Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium), Castilleja miniata, Fragaria virginiana, Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Mentha arvensis, Veronica americana, or Pedicularis groenlandica, and many others.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This is one of the wettest Salix boothii shrublands. Stands occur between 1800 and 2805 m (5900-9200 feet) in elevation. Sites are usually in wide valley bottoms on low-gradient floodplains, often associated with abandoned and current beaver ponds. However, this shrubland can occur on seeps, wet toeslopes, streambanks of small meandering streams, and moist terraces, and has been seen on narrow and steep riparian corridors as well, but this is more the exception. Ground surface can be smooth or of undulating topography. Soils are for the most part accumulated fine particles from periodic inundation and are most often classified as Mollisols, but occasionally are Entisols. Soil textures are clays, fine loams or sandy, and can have an organic layer at the surface. Soils are usually wet, with the water table at the surface throughout the growing season, but can be drier with water tables up to 1 m in depth.
Geographic Range: This wet riparian shrubland is known from Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and possibly California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA?, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

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 A3769 Booth''s Willow - Geyer''s Willow - Yellow Willow Montane Wet Shrubland Alliance A3769 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001178 Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001178 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: < Salix / Carex rostrata (Kovalchik 1987) [(p.84) Some stands dominated by Salix boothii, others by Salix geyeriana.]
< Salix boothii - Salix geyeriana / Carex utriculata Association (Crowe et al. 2004) [Most stands are a mix of the two willows, but apparently some stands have only Salix boothii (J. Christy pers. comm. 2005).]
< Salix boothii / Carex rostrata Community Type (Norton et al. 1981) [This type includes stands dominated by Salix drummondiana or Salix boothii, and the undergrowth may be dominated by Carex utriculata or Carex aquatilis.]
= Salix boothii / Carex rostrata Community Type (Walford et al. 2001)
= Salix boothii / Carex rostrata Community Type (Youngblood et al. 1985a)
= Salix boothii / Carex rostrata Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Salix boothii / Carex utriculata (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Salix boothii / Carex utriculata Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
< Salix drummondiana - Salix myrtillifolia / Carex rostrata Community Type (Mutz and Queiroz 1983) [Salix myrtillifolia = Salix boothii in Utah; this type includes stands dominated by Salix boothii with Carex rostrata.]
< Salix geyeriana / Carex rostrata Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [Hansen placed stands dominated by Salix boothii with stands dominated by Salix geyeriana "due to similarities in environmental conditions and management concerns." Some stands are dominated by Salix boothii with Carex utriculata-dominated undergrowth.]
< Salix spp. / Carex rostrata (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [Some stands dominated by Salix boothii, others by Salix geyeriana.]
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-09-05
  • 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.
  • CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
  • 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.
  • Christy, John. Personal communication. Wetlands Ecologist. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland, OR.
  • Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
  • Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
  • Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
  • Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
  • Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
  • IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
  • Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Kettler, S., and A. McMullen. 1996. Routt National Forest riparian vegetation classification. Report prepared for Routt National Forest by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • Kittel, G. M., and N. D. Lederer. 1993. A preliminary classification of the riparian vegetation of the Yampa and San Miguel/Dolores river basins. Unpublished report prepared for Colorado Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency by The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Field Office, Boulder.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user''s guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, N. Lederer, and D. Randolph. 1994. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the White and Colorado River basins, Colorado. Final report submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Boulder. 166 pp.
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national forests. Technical Paper 279-87. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
  • Mutz, K. M., and J. Queiroz. 1983. Riparian community classification for the Centennial Mountains and South Fork Salmon River, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region under contract 53-84M8-2-0048 by Meiiji Resource Consultants, Layton, UT. 168 pp.
  • Mutz, K. M., and R. Graham. 1982. Riparian community type classification-Big Piney Range District, Wyoming. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region under contract 53-84M8-1-974, by Meiiji Resource Consultants, Layton, UT. 88 pp.
  • Norton, B. E., J. Tuhy, and S. Jensen. 1981. Riparian community classification for the Grey''s River, Wyoming. Unpublished final report prepared by Department of Range Science, Utah State University, Logan for USDA Forest Service, Region 4, Ogden, UT. 188 pp.
  • Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1988b. Riparian community type classification of Utah. Publication R4-ECOL-88-01. USDA Forest Service, Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
  • Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
  • Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
  • Tuhy, J. S., and S. Jensen. 1982. Riparian classification for the Upper Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon River drainages, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region by White Horse Associates, Smithfield, UT. 183 pp.
  • WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
  • Walford, G., G. Jones, W. Fertig, S. Mellman-Brown, and K. Houston. 2001. Riparian and wetland plant community types of the Shoshone National Forest. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-85. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 122 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Youngblood, A. P., W. G. Padgett, and A. H. Winward. 1985a. Riparian community type classification of eastern Idaho-western Wyoming. R4-Ecol-85-01. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 78 pp.
  • Youngblood, A. P., W. G. Padgett, and A. H. Winward. 1985b. Riparian community type classification of northern Utah and adjacent Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 104 pp.