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CEGL001199 Salix exigua / Agrostis stolonifera Ruderal Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Narrowleaf Willow / Creeping Bentgrass Ruderal Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs in the foothills and in wide lowland valleys and canyons at low to mid elevations of 1560 to 2070 m (5125-6775 feet) of the Pecos, Rio Grande and Canadian River watersheds in northeastern and central New Mexico. This type is typically found on young alluvial bars that are flooded every two to five years, but it can also occur on higher bars or in partially filled back channels that are more rarely flooded. Soils are weakly developed Entisols that are generally loamy, or loamy over a matrix of sands and gravels. Salix exigua forms dense thickets with over 75% cover that are 1.5 to 2.5 m (4-8 feet) tall. In the shady and moist understory, exotic European pasture grasses, such as Agrostis stolonifera or the closely related Agrostis gigantea, are usually abundant to luxuriant in cover (25-75% or more cover). Other occasional shrub associates that are well-represented are Salix lutea, Rosa woodsii, and Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens. Mature trees are absent, but seedlings or saplings of obligate riparian tree species, including Populus deltoides or Populus angustifolia, can be present. Generally the herbaceous understory is very diverse but variable.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Grazing-induced modification of natural riparian shrublands. Stands in the Colorado Front Range foothills may be composed of intermediates of Salix exigua and Salix interior (G. Kittel pers. comm.).
This is one of the most common types found in New Mexico. While the diversity of species and density of some stands have an appearance of functionality and good condition, the species composition reflects nearby agricultural use and possibly degraded streamside conditions. Exotic grasses such as Agrostis gigantea, Poa pratensis, Agropyron spp., Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, and Dactylis glomerata have effectively replaced the native graminoids, including sedges and rushes. Where these introduced graminoids dominate, streambanks are more susceptible to sloughing and accelerated erosion. These introduced species are highly palatable and therefore more susceptible to overgrazing. They also have fragile root systems that are less fibrous, thinner, and rooted at shallower depths than their native counterparts (i.e., Carex, Juncus, Scirpus, and, at upper elevations, Glyceria). Due to close proximity of water, this type often receives disproportionately heavy use by livestock. In general, effective restoration of the native species to enhance biodiversity, ecosystem quality, and streambank condition may require several years of minimal disturbance and responsible management of upland watershed conditions.
This is one of the most common types found in New Mexico. While the diversity of species and density of some stands have an appearance of functionality and good condition, the species composition reflects nearby agricultural use and possibly degraded streamside conditions. Exotic grasses such as Agrostis gigantea, Poa pratensis, Agropyron spp., Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, and Dactylis glomerata have effectively replaced the native graminoids, including sedges and rushes. Where these introduced graminoids dominate, streambanks are more susceptible to sloughing and accelerated erosion. These introduced species are highly palatable and therefore more susceptible to overgrazing. They also have fragile root systems that are less fibrous, thinner, and rooted at shallower depths than their native counterparts (i.e., Carex, Juncus, Scirpus, and, at upper elevations, Glyceria). Due to close proximity of water, this type often receives disproportionately heavy use by livestock. In general, effective restoration of the native species to enhance biodiversity, ecosystem quality, and streambank condition may require several years of minimal disturbance and responsible management of upland watershed conditions.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Salix exigua forms dense thickets with over 75% cover that are 1.5 to 2.5 m (4-8 feet) tall. In the shady and moist understory, exotic European pasture grasses, such as Agrostis stolonifera or the closely related Agrostis gigantea, are usually abundant to luxuriant in cover (25-75% or more cover). Other occasional shrub associates that are well-represented are Salix lutea, Rosa woodsii, and Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens. Mature trees are absent, but seedlings or saplings of obligate riparian tree species including Populus deltoides or Populus angustifolia) can be present. Generally the herbaceous understory is very diverse but variable. Of the 174 herbaceous species that have been recorded for the type, 51 are exotic species. Of the 38 native herbaceous wetland indicators, the most common and abundant are Eleocharis palustris, Phalaris arundinacea, Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens), Argentina anserina, Symphyotrichum foliaceum (= Aster foliaceus), Cicuta douglasii, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum laevigatum, Lycopus americanus, and Mentha arvensis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs in the foothills and in wide lowland valleys and canyons at low to mid elevations of 1560 to 2070 m (5125-6775 feet). This type is typically found on young alluvial bars that are flooded every two to five years, but it can also occur on higher bars or in partially filled back channels that are more rarely flooded. Soils are weakly developed Entisols that are generally loamy, or loamy over a matrix of sands and gravels. They range from the wetter Aeric Fluvaquents to somewhat drier Oxyaquic Ustifluvents. During most parts of the year, they tend to be moist at lower depths between 20 to 100 cm (8-18 inches).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Pecos, Rio Grande and Canadian River watersheds in northeastern and central New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688544
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Western North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M301 | 2.C.4.Nb.90 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nb.90.a Kentucky Bluegrass - Canadian Horseweed - Canada Thistle Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group | G524 | 2.C.4.Nb.90.a |
| Alliance | A4217 Willow species - Silver Sagebrush Ruderal Understory Wet Shrubland Alliance | A4217 | 2.C.4.Nb.90.a |
| Association | CEGL001199 Narrowleaf Willow / Creeping Bentgrass Ruderal Wet Shrubland | CEGL001199 | 2.C.4.Nb.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Salix exigua / Mesic Graminoid Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
< Salix / Mesic Graminoid (Manning and Padgett 1989)
< Salix / Mesic Graminoid (Manning and Padgett 1989)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1989. Preliminary riparian community type classification for Nevada. Draft report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 134 pp.
- Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000a. Handbook of wetland vegetation communities of New Mexico. Volume I: Classification and community descriptions. Final report to the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.