Print Report

CEGL001210 Salix geyeriana / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Geyer''s Willow / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is an important association in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Colorado, and northwestern Wyoming. Stands of this association are often found in wide mountain valleys, cirques, and troughs, at elevations from about 1525 to 2745 m (5000-9000 feet) with narrow, meandering streams or braided rivers. The association mainly occurs on seasonally saturated or flooded sites such as streambanks, terraces, floodplains, abandoned meanders, spring-fed meadows, lake or reservoir shores, and occasionally alluvial gravel bars. Soils vary but are mostly silt to clay loams with organic/sedge peat horizons. An open canopy of tall, clumped Salix geyeriana, with occasionally intermixed Salix boothii (with <20% cover), characterizes this association. Other shrubs, including Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, and low Salix spp., are scattered around the bases of taller Salix clumps. The herbaceous understory is dominated by a diverse mix of mesic graminoid species that always has greater total cover than the total cover of mesic forbs. In good-condition, mid- to late-seral stands, the most common graminoids are Carex microptera, Carex pellita, Deschampsia cespitosa, and occasionally Carex nebrascensis, but no single species consistently has high cover. Other graminoids with moderate cover and constancy include Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis, Carex praegracilis, Carex rostrata, Carex utriculata, Glyceria spp., and Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis. Poa pratensis is present in nearly all stands, but its cover varies depending on the amount of grazing disturbance and site desiccation. Stands in poor condition need to be codominated by a mixture of native graminoids (not a single species such as Deschampsia cespitosa) with the introduced graminoids and forbs. The most common forb species are sometimes indicative of grazing disturbance (e.g., Achillea millefolium, Geum macrophyllum, Iris missouriensis, Maianthemum stellatum, Potentilla gracilis, Thalictrum spp., Taraxacum officinale, and Trifolium spp.).

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association has a high cover and constancy of Poa pratensis and may be anthropogenic. This is a widespread, well-sampled association. It has been sampled throughout eastern Idaho (5 plots by Youngblood et al. 1985a; 2 plots by Padgett et al. 1989) and across central Idaho (at least 6 plots) (IDCDC 2002). The association has been sampled in northwestern Wyoming (6 plots by Walford et al. 2001), Utah (4 plots by Padgett et al. 1989), northern and central Nevada (9 plots by Manning and Padgett 1995). An unknown portion of 71 plots sampled in Montana (Hansen et al. 1995) and 58 plots sampled in southeastern Idaho (Hansen and Hall 2002) of a broader Salix geyeriana community type likely include stands fitting this association. When ecological conditions are good, this type is clearly distinguished from other Salix geyeriana-dominated stands by having moderate cover and constancy of mixed native mesic graminoid species including (but not limited to) Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis, Carex pellita, Carex utriculata, and/or Deschampsia cespitosa, none of which are distinctly dominant. This can cause confusion with Salix geyeriana associations named for dominance of any one of these species (Mutz and Queiroz 1983, Youngblood et al. 1985a, Padgett et al. 1989, Hansen et al. 1995, Manning and Padgett 1995, Walford et al. 2001, Hansen and Hall 2002, Crowe et al. 2002). This association is a broadly defined type that encompasses Salix geyeriana / Poa pratensis (as in Padgett et al. 1989) and other disturbance-induced Salix geyeriana stands with no clearly dominant understory graminoid species (as in Evenden 1990). Some stands dominated by Salix boothii are also included based on similarities in environmental setting and composition (Hansen et al. 1995, Hansen and Hall 2002). This broad lumping is problematic for determining a clear definition of this association and assessing its true extent.

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

Floristics: This plant association is a tall (2-5m), deciduous shrubland with an open to nearly closed canopy of clumped willows and a thick layer of sedges and grasses in the undergrowth. Dominance of Salix geyeriana (20-70% cover), occasionally intermixed with Salix boothii (with <20% cover), characterizes this association. Other shrubs, including Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Ribes inerme, Ribes lacustre, Rosa woodsii, and other Salix spp. such as Salix drummondiana, Salix lemmonii, Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra (= Salix lasiandra), Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, or Salix wolfii, are scattered around the bases of taller Salix clumps. The herbaceous understory is dominated by a diverse mix of mesic graminoid species that always has greater total cover than the total cover of mesic forbs. In good-condition, mid- to late-seral stands, the most common graminoids are Carex microptera, Carex pellita, Deschampsia cespitosa, and occasionally Carex nebrascensis, but no single species consistently has high cover. Other graminoids with low to moderate cover and constancy include Bromus porteri, Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis, Carex athrostachya, Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa), Carex praegracilis, Carex rostrata, Carex simulata, Carex subnigricans, Carex utriculata, Elymus glaucus, Festuca thurberi, Hordeum jubatum, Glyceria spp., Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Juncus orthophyllus, and Muhlenbergia richardsonis. Introduced grasses Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, and Poa pratensis are frequently present, but their cover varies depending on the amount of grazing disturbance and site desiccation. Stands in poor condition need to be codominated by a mixture of native graminoids (not a single species such as Deschampsia cespitosa) with the introduced graminoids and forbs. The most common forb species are sometimes indicative of grazing disturbance. Associated species include Achillea millefolium, Antennaria spp., Caltha leptosepala, Cirsium sp., Geum macrophyllum, Iris missouriensis, Maianthemum stellatum, Pedicularis groenlandica, Penstemon spp., Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla gracilis, Thalictrum spp., Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium spp., Urtica dioica, Veronica sp., and Vicia americana.

Dynamics:  The high cover of grasses and sedges makes this association highly productive for livestock forage. In addition, this association has many corridors between willow clumps that allow for livestock access (Padgett et al. 1989, Hansen et al. 1995, Walford et al. 2001). These attributes make this type susceptible to overgrazing and conversion of the understory from native species to exotic grasses. While stands do exist in less disturbed, late-seral states with native understory species, it is more often expressed as disturbance-induced (e.g., by livestock grazing) states (Padgett et al. 1989, Manning and Padgett 1995, Weixelman et al. 1996, Walford et al. 2001). Similarly, understory shrub and forb composition may be the result of grazing disturbance (Weixelman et al. 1996, Hansen and Hall 2002). Thus, it is hypothesized that under persistent, heavy livestock grazing the association will move toward Salix geyeriana / Poa pratensis, Salix geyeriana / Poa palustris, Salix geyeriana / mesic graminoid-forb, or Salix geyeriana / mesic forbs (Youngblood et al. 1985a, Padgett et al. 1989, Evenden 1990, Walford et al. 2001). Overgrazing may directly or indirectly eliminate Salix geyeriana by decreasing its vigor or altering hydrologic conditions (Hansen and Hall 2002). The resulting associations may be drier types such as Poa pratensis meadows or other associations. Alternatively, Salix geyeriana / mesic graminoids possibly originated from Salix geyeriana / Calamagrostis canadensis, Salix geyeriana / Carex aquatilis, Salix geyeriana / Carex rostrata, or Salix geyeriana / Deschampsia cespitosa associations which have been disturbed by grazing, or alterations in hydrology, and subsequently invaded by various mesic graminoid species (Mutz and Queiroz 1983, Youngblood et al. 1985a, Padgett et al. 1989, Hansen et al. 1995, Manning and Padgett 1995, Walford et al. 2001, Hansen and Hall 2002, IDCDC 2002).
Environmental Description:  This riparian shrubland association is found in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Colorado, and northwestern Wyoming. Stands of this association are often found in wide mountain valleys, cirques, and troughs, at elevations from about 1525 to 3000 m (5000-9900 feet), with narrow, meandering streams or braided rivers. The association mainly occurs on seasonally saturated or flooded sites, such as streambanks, terraces, floodplains, abandoned meanders, spring-fed meadows, lake or reservoir shores, and occasionally alluvial gravel bars. Soils vary but are mostly moderately well-drained to poorly drained, silt to clay loams with organic/sedge peat horizons. Ground surface has high cover of litter and duff.
Geographic Range: This association is widely distributed in the West at mid to high elevations, ranging from Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and possibly California, Montana and Oregon.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, NV, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?

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 CEGL001210 Geyer''s Willow / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland CEGL001210 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 geyeriana / Mesic Graminoid Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Salix geyeriana / Mesic Graminoid Community Type (Walford et al. 2001)
= Salix geyeriana / Mesic Graminoid Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
< Salix geyeriana / Mesic Graminoid-Forb Community Type (Evenden 1990)
? Salix geyeriana / mesic graminoid (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.212.02]
>< Salix geyeriana Community Type (Hansen and Hall 2002) [Understory mostly dominated by introduced forage grass species.]
>< Salix geyeriana Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995) [Understory mostly dominated by introduced forage grass species.]
Concept Author(s): C. Murphy

Author of Description: C. Murphy and K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-27-06
  • 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/]
  • 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.
  • Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Crowe, E., B. Kovalchik, M. J. Kerr, J. Titus, and J. S. Kagan. 2002. Riparian and wetland plant communities of eastern Oregon. Draft report. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland, OR.
  • Evenden, A. G. 1990. Ecology and distribution of riparian vegetation in the Trout Creek Mountains of southeastern Oregon. Ph.D. dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 156 pp.
  • 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.
  • Hansen, P. L., and J. B. Hall. 2002. Classification and management of the USDI Bureau of Land Management''s riparian and wetland sites in eastern and southern Idaho. Unpublished draft prepared for the Upper Snake River District, Bureau of Land Management, by Bitterroot Restoration, Inc., Corvallis, MT.
  • IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2002. Unpublished riparian and wetland association occurrence and plot data on file at the Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, ID.
  • 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).
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix. [http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
  • Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 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.
  • 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.
  • Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
  • Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 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.
  • Weixelman, D. A., D. C. Zamudio, and K. A. Zamudio. 1996. Central Nevada riparian field guide. USDA Forest Service Technical Report R4-ECOL-96-01. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region.
  • 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.